In the vast galaxy of digital note-taking, stars emerge, flicker, and fade. Yet, as we barrel into 2023, one star blazes more brilliantly than the rest: Obsidian. As we wade through the deluge of our digital thoughts, a sanctuary like Obsidian becomes not just desirable, but downright essential.
The Allure of the Local-First Paradigm
In an age where cloud-based everything seems the norm, Obsidian's audacious move towards a local-first approach is both a breath of fresh air and a grounding reminder. There’s an oddly satisfying nostalgia in knowing your thoughts are safely stored on your own machine, reminiscent of scribbling in a physical journal under the cover of night.
Interlinking Thoughts: A Web of Brilliance
Remember those detective shows with walls covered in pictures, connected by strings in a maze of theories and suspects? That’s Obsidian’s backlinking and graph view for you. But instead of solving crimes, you’re untangling the intricate mysteries of your own mind, making connections you might never have otherwise perceived.
Customization: A Playground for the Inquisitive
Why accept a one-size-fits-all when you can tailor to perfection? Obsidian isn’t just a tool; it's a canvas. Whether you're a minimalist seeking an uncluttered space or a maximalist hungering for intricate toolsets, Obsidian bends to your will.
Knowledge, Not Notes
While most apps let you take notes, Obsidian lets you craft a knowledge base. It’s a subtle distinction, but one that shifts the focus from mere information recording to genuine understanding. It nudges you gently towards epiphanies and a-ha moments, those delightful instances when the fog lifts and clarity reigns.
The Timelessness of Markdown
And, of course, the beating heart of Obsidian - markdown. In 2023, as more apps become bloated with features, the purity and simplicity of markdown stand unyielding. It's a nod to the digital romantics among us, who believe that words, in their most unadorned form, are magic enough.
The Quiet Revolution of Obsidian
So, here we stand, on the precipice of an ever-evolving digital age, our thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind. But with Obsidian, there's a sense of grounding, a sense of coming home. In the crowded arena of note-taking apps, Obsidian doesn’t just stand out; it gleams, a beacon for those seeking a deeper, more profound relationship with their thoughts.
Let's embrace this tool not just for its features, but for the introspection and clarity it beckons us towards. After all, in the cacophony of modern life, a sanctuary for our thoughts is the most profound rebellion.
Top comments (7)
Obsidian's great strength in my opinion is its wealth of plugins.
Obsidian's great weakness is that it's not open source.
For that reason I stick with Mindforger. It too is "local first" but it works fine with Syncthing so my notes are available on all my computers with network/Internet access.
Thanks for the comment! Does it have mobile support? Or the Windows support? I was not aware of it.
The developer provides only Macintosh, Windows and Linux binaries.
There are no iOS or Android binaries shipping with Mindforger.
Of course if you have a Linux tablet then you can run Mindforger on a completely open source stack.
Yes indeed Mindforger is all about Markdown, including diagrams.
Don't forget the AI plugins, that made it relevant for many users out there again. It is great to chat with your knowledge base.
It is indeed great to chat with your knowledge base.
But only when there's no data leaking to a third party. And that is exactly what will happen for those plugins that use OpenAI ChatGPT. OpenAI will see all of your notes. And be able to tie them directly to you because you have to use your OpenAI API KEY to make it work.
That's right 👍 always be careful what you use the AI for.
That's really good point! They are easy to use and they fit well with the notes.