I highlight all the new manuscripts in Bookends.I then move over to DTP and select the Data:New From Template: Education: Reference (from Bookends) menu item. I like reverse chronological order so I can see the last date I imported abstracts.
As you can see below, a sub-folders of zz-Inputs is an “Abstracts Inbox.” When I set up this folder in DTP, I made sure the folder WAS NOT excluded from tagging (this is done by option-clicking on the folder and making sure “exclude from tagging is UNCHECKED).When it’s time to transfer abstracts from Bookends, I first click to select the Abstracts Inbox folder in DTP.I then open up Bookends and sort the fields by the “Added” Column. In DTP, I’ve organized these folders into a “zz-Inputs Folder”. Once imported into DTP, these abstracts can be parsed using smart folders (enduring searches) that make your literature library a dynamic resource for writing.I have a single DTP database that has indexed the various folders critical in my writing process (e.g. I’ve made heavy use of a particular built-in Devonthink Template that automates the migration of abstracts from Bookends to DTP (with a link back to Bookends). Although Tinderbox is great for visually organizing your notes, it can’t compare to the search capabilities of DevonThink Pro.Since switching to Bookends, I’ve found myself spending less time in Tinderbox and even more time in Devonthink. My old workflow required Keyboard Maestro to extract abstract information to Tinderbox. I wrote about Sense-making of the Academic Literature back when I was using Papers.