I want to try org-mode. What's the shortest path from zero to typing?

Question

I want to give emacs\' org-mode a try. What is the shortest path for me to accomplish that? Assume NO previous experience with emacs.

(I\'m aware that other editors, lik

Answer 1

I use Emacs (when I'm on Windows) with the official binaries at http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/emacs/windows/emacs-22.3-barebin-i386.zip Just unzip to a directory and double click "runemacs".

In all the commands that follow, C stands for Ctrl.

Create a file ending in .org. If using recent Emacs, that will automatically start org-mode. You can create a file using C-x C-f.

Start creating outlines like this:

* Level 1
** Level 2

Collapse/Uncollapse outline levels with TAB

Todo's you can cycle by hitting C-c C-t

That's the basics, and pretty much all I know, but I already use it extensively :)

Have a look at the tutorials on http://orgmode.org/worg/org-tutorials/

Answer 2

Since others already mentioned how to install and start using org-mode, I would like to point you to the excellent collection of tutorials on Worg (it is a community driven documentation effort in the form of tutorials, How tos and other articles).

Answer 3

I started org mode with an article in the linux journal and a very useful & simply tutorial.

David O'Toole Org tutorial

Get Organized with Emacs Org-mode

Both sources give you in my opinion a superb and fast introduction to org mode.

Answer 4

Org-mode beginning at the basics sounds promising, it starts with

The absolute minimum you need to know about Emacs

The absolute minimum you need to know about Emacs, to be able to do anything, is more then you need to know about many other applications. But, you might compare it to a regular toy and lego. Lego is harder to begin with (you start with a box with little plastic pieces), but in the long run, you can do more with it.

Answer 5

I have a portable version with .emacs configure ready, which setup org mode, etc. It also included org sample file. I think that is a better start point.

http://nd.edu/~gsong/portable_emacs.html

Best,

Answer 6

Start org mode with M-x org-mode RET, or by visiting a file with the .org extension.

Type C-h m in an org mode buffer to see the (brief) mode description and (importantly) all of its key-bindings.

Type C-h i m org RET to read the Org Mode manual.

(Typing q will bury either of the *Help* or *info* buffers.)

Visit the web site at http://orgmode.org/ for more.