Efficient organization of information is one of the key factors for success in working with data. Different applications use different approaches to structuring information. For example, in Telegram, the concept of "groups" is used to unite users and conduct discussions, and "folders" are often used to sort chats. In Conoted, we are developing our own system, where groups are currently implemented, and in the future, we plan to implement functionality for creating directions (projects). Let's figure out how these concepts differ and how best to organize their interaction.
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Groups and folders in Telegram
Groups in Telegram:
- Main purpose:
- Groups are designed for exchanging messages, discussing topics, and communicating together.
- Characteristics:
- They unite users in real time, allowing you to quickly exchange ideas, files, media, and comments.
- Limitations:
- Large volumes of messages can cause important information to be lost.
- No flexible sorting system or deep data structure.
Folders in Telegram:
- Main purpose:
- Folders are used to sort chats by category (e.g. Work, Personal, Channels), which helps organize the list of conversations.
- Characteristic:
- They are a static organizational unit and are not intended for active interaction
- Limitations:
- Folders do not allow you to link individual messages within a chat and do not provide the ability to deeply analyze the content.
Thus, Telegram separates groups (for active communication) and folders (for sorting chats) due to differences in their purpose and functionality.
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Groups and directions (projects) in Conoted
Groups in Conoted:
- Main purpose:
- Groups are designed to unite notes, note-messages and users related to a common topic or project.
- Functionality:
- You can add any note and any user to a group.
- Groups are used for collaboration, exchanging ideas and conducting a collective dialogue.
- Advantages:
- Provide operational interaction and coordination between participants.
- Allows you to create internal knowledge ecosystems, where each note has its place.
Directions / Projects in Conoted (future functionality):
- Main purpose:
- Directions (or projects) are a higher-level category that allows you to combine groups, notes, and tags by specific directions or areas of knowledge (e.g. "Work", "Study", "News").
- Functionality:
- The user can add tags, and all notes with the corresponding tags are automatically attached based on them.
- You can combine groups and users, creating a centralized section that will be displayed at the top under the text search.
- Advantages:
- Allows you to see the global picture of a specific area.
- Provide easy access to important information grouped by topic.
- Allows you to quickly analyze how knowledge and contacts are developing within a certain topic.
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Merge or separate groups and directions?
Arguments in favor of unification:
- Unified interface:
The user sees all the data in one place, which can be convenient for quick access to information.
- Holistic presentation:
If areas are integrated into groups, the structure becomes more compact and convenient for those who do not want to switch between different sections.
Arguments in favor of separation:
- Flexibility and detail:
Separation allows for more detailed management of information: groups - for operational communication, areas - for deep analysis and strategic planning.
- Different goals:
Groups are focused on collaboration and messaging, and areas (projects) are used to build a holistic knowledge base and track the dynamics in a particular area.
- Better navigation management:
If areas are displayed separately, they can be shown as a separate menu under the text search, which simplifies the search for the necessary data and allows you to quickly switch between different areas of knowledge.
Recommendation:
At this stage, you can leave the group functionality as the main one, and implement the direction (projects) as an additional level of structuring, which will be displayed separately in the interface (for example, as a panel under the search bar). This approach will allow users to choose what information they want to see - operational group notes or strategically structured data by direction.
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Conclusion
- Conoted provides tools for structuring information and improving collaboration. Groups in the app help to connect notes and users for quick communication, and directions (project level) will allow you to see a holistic picture by areas of knowledge in the future, combining tags, groups and contacts. This separation provides flexibility and depth in information management, helping users find the data they need faster and build effective workflows.
- The choice between unification and separation depends on the needs of your audience, but implementing both levels, with areas as a separate section, can be the optimal solution for creating a living, dynamic knowledge base.
