KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) That's why i use Markor on, it saves on markdown (.md), text (.txt) files, and sync with Syncthing to other devices.
Without databases, or third party hosts, i can open any file on other devices using the apps of my choice, can use Markor on Android and nvim on PC.
No need to pay extra or use specific apps to work.
I also tried other not taking apps, but I needed to use some electron app that uses 1GB RAM to edit a markdown file, and decrypt some proprietary online storage. Why use some overcomplicated software when i can do the same Kwrite or nano
Saying Obsidian uses just TXT files suggest, that I could use any editor and that Obsidians file format is compatible with any editor. That is technically the truth, but the problem is, that if I decide to use another editor I might get problems because of the lacking ability to usefully edit the metadata. So, if I use Obsidian, the files are de facto not compatible with other editors.
Of course I could switch off of Obsidian and I have the raw data, so I am not locked in. But I think stating that obsidan uses just txt files without any explanation is a bit misleading.
You won't get any problems. I've done it before. If you make Obsidian use Markdown links you can even sort of make links to other files through other editors, but it's a little janky still.
Obsidian is just another WYSIWYG Editor. What makes it a problwm is the MD-dialect they employ.
For example callouts in obsidian are not possible in the markdown flavor of vs-code. I can't do thiy in vscode
> [!warning]-
> This is a collapsed warning
But that is what I quite like and I found no other programs which handles as well as Obsidian. Maybe some parts of vscode markdown with plugins closes the gap.
Getting notifications about my todo lists is just annoying to me. When i wanna look at what i need to do i just open the list and look at it. I prefer not to pollute my notification with that
These home chores are not that complex that I need remiders. But I do have a list of stuff to buy, like food and cleaning products, on a shared text file (a shared google keep note actually, forgive me for my sins), and every tuesday or so one of us goes to the market to get those (we alternate).
Basically, whenever I have time to work on something, I try to do the most important and time sensitive things on my todo list. If I dont have enough time to do those, then I wont, and thats it, what can I do?
Me too, in this way it's more than just a todo list, it's also a time management tool.
I use tasks.org, every morning all my tasks pop up and I defer them into timeslots. Before noon, afternoon, evening. Then I get another reminder at a point where I should be done with the tasks in a previous time slot.
I have a shell alias that opens a task file named YYYY-MM.md. This keeps the notes from getting too long. It has really helped me out in meetings where we need some kind of reference to what decisions were made or when something happened. So it serves as a work log and a task list.
Splitting by month also helps me trim tasks from the list that were not completed but are no longer high priority. They just don't get copied to the new list. I can still look back to see things I had aspired to but never did. Like "yes, you asked me to do that 3 months ago and then it was deprioritized."
Logseq is planning on moving to a database model (database is the source of truth) whereas Obsidian is staying with your text files always being the source of truth
I tried using org-mode, but eventually returned to simple plain text.
Color notation, or various enriching elements don't help. They actually distract.
There's the task. The task of having a TODO list. Its elements are free form by definition.
I swear, today's tech is 99% arrogant people showing themselves how they know everything, except they don't solve the actual task which is the only thing needed.
Like those over-engineered half-working arcane machines they portray in steampunk settings, except those at least feel cool.
It's like that anecdote about "what buzzes, spins and doesn't bite your ass? - a Soviet machine for biting your ass". 2025 machines for biting your ass do everything, including almost sexual gratification of their developers from using any of a hundred of hipster libraries, frameworks and build systems, and a server component using Firebase, AWS and what not, what they don't do is actually bite your ass. Well, they kinda scratch it.
Doing a lot is not the same as doing better.
Also I fucking hate modern UI\UX design and ergonomics (both lacking).
There's something about the Silicon Valley and everything looking up to it. A culture of authoritarian cheap bullshit, with pretty arrogant people not capable of having a civil discussion, and when they fail that, it's not themselves who they blame.
Honestly it sometimes feels as if all the visible things around were like that. Linux included. Also maybe BTRON for workstations not happening is a bigger tragedy than it would seem.
I split my notes/todos into multiple files, but I wrote a small program which basically just creates a file with a randomized name in a flat directory and then opens it in my default editor. I just want to be able to start typing right away without worrying where to put the note or what to title it or whatever. Like, I will put a title on it and include some keywords to help me find things again, but I can do that later when I don't need to noting things down...
I’m very happy with Things. Been using it for 7 years with an occasional dip into Todoist and Apple Reminders just out of interest, but always coming back to Things.
It fits exactly how my brain works. The only annoyance is that I cannot tick off recurring tasks before they are scheduled.
I've been using Quillpad for some time now. It's kind of a "glorified markdown editor" (like Joplin) but stripped down to the only things I need: bullet lists for todo and grocery, quick notes, audio notes. Recently version 1.5 came out which allows to sync local files so it can now work with Syncthing and that made it an instant favourite for me
My biggest issue with all these Markdown editors is that the format is text only, forcing other files to be stored independently. It does not support embedded pictures, formulas, etc.
My perfect option uses some format that would allow text, pictures, audio and video, optional LaTeX formatting all in one file, and wouldn't be constrained to a single application that can run it all. At least some apps supporting it should be in a note-taking layout, not a standard office program.
Mobile support would be a banger, too, but is optional.
Essentially, I want a OneNote-like experience without walled garden, bundled in a way that would allow it to be painlessly exported into several other pieces of software, available on Linux.
Not OpenSource, but free, reliable and private, online right in your browser, it's a complete word processor, you can also edit Html, select webpages and paste it in the editor which conserve the original UI with all working links, Files and documets are stored locally in .htm, .pdf or .txt. Blazing fast and works also in mobile, even as PWA.
(Part of the SSuite, it's a hobby project of two elictricians which make money with their workshop, not with these apps, no commercial interests, no ads, logs, tracking or othe crap, no account)
P.S. Seems more like a general purpose editor with a twist, though, and not a solid note-taking solition upon the first glance. Thanks for the recommendation anyway!
Well, you can use it as such, storing the notes locally with the corresponding title. You'll find a lot more on the SSuite, maybe there you'll find something els which may serve you, anyway good to bookmark it, it's pretty usefull.
But I also remember another app, an old Gem, OpenSource which may fullfit your needs, it's a very powerfull tree style note taking app, rich text format and if you need, also syntax highlighting for programming scripts. (Windows, Linux) (.rtf, .txt, scripts)
Same! Once I can get a way to magically sync a Markdown file to a piece of paper It'll be perfect. In theory you can OCR from paper to a file pretty easily now.
I concur with the article. I've tried various tools but I keep coming back to text files in vim. Recently I've been using a notes/ directory with a bash function to quickly create and edit a named text file for a new topic. That gives me the little bit of organization and separation for isolated tasks, while still having a main notes.txt file for miscellaneous notes and todos. I really like being able to stay in the terminal and using ripgrep for everything.
So far the best for me is a mix of Google's Tasks and Notes. Both hide ticked of tasks, have functional reminders and are accessible from any authenticated device (to be edited).
All others I've tried, lack the hiding of the ticked boxes requiring one to create new pages divided by months, weeks or some other divider.
Avatar of Vengeance
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •This article is a cry for help
cmnybo
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •bigfondue
in reply to cmnybo • • •generator
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
That's why i use Markor on, it saves on markdown (.md), text (.txt) files, and sync with Syncthing to other devices.
Without databases, or third party hosts, i can open any file on other devices using the apps of my choice, can use Markor on Android and nvim on PC.
No need to pay extra or use specific apps to work.
I also tried other not taking apps, but I needed to use some electron app that uses 1GB RAM to edit a markdown file, and decrypt some proprietary online storage. Why use some overcomplicated software when i can do the same Kwrite or nano
BedSharkPal
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •BlackPenguins
in reply to BedSharkPal • • •xep
in reply to BlackPenguins • • •mogoh
in reply to BedSharkPal • • •relic4322
in reply to mogoh • • •mogoh
in reply to relic4322 • • •Saying Obsidian uses just TXT files suggest, that I could use any editor and that Obsidians file format is compatible with any editor.
That is technically the truth, but the problem is, that if I decide to use another editor I might get problems because of the lacking ability to usefully edit the metadata.
So, if I use Obsidian, the files are de facto not compatible with other editors.
Of course I could switch off of Obsidian and I have the raw data, so I am not locked in. But I think stating that obsidan uses just txt files without any explanation is a bit misleading.
JackbyDev
in reply to mogoh • • •Appoxo
in reply to mogoh • • •Obsidian is just another WYSIWYG Editor.
What makes it a problwm is the MD-dialect they employ.
For example callouts in obsidian are not possible in the markdown flavor of vs-code.
I can't do thiy in vscode
But that is what I quite like and I found no other programs which handles as well as Obsidian.
Maybe some parts of vscode markdown with plugins closes the gap.
MangoPenguin
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •zeca
in reply to MangoPenguin • • •DrDystopia
in reply to zeca • • •It's not about the notification, it's about being reminded.
I use a task manager because I can't remember every task I need to do. I use reminders because I can't remember to do the tasks I need to do.
zeca
in reply to DrDystopia • • •MangoPenguin
in reply to zeca • • •zeca
in reply to MangoPenguin • • •These home chores are not that complex that I need remiders. But I do have a list of stuff to buy, like food and cleaning products, on a shared text file (a shared google keep note actually, forgive me for my sins), and every tuesday or so one of us goes to the market to get those (we alternate).
Basically, whenever I have time to work on something, I try to do the most important and time sensitive things on my todo list.
If I dont have enough time to do those, then I wont, and thats it, what can I do?
MangoPenguin
in reply to zeca • • •DrDystopia
in reply to MangoPenguin • • •Me too, in this way it's more than just a todo list, it's also a time management tool.
I use tasks.org, every morning all my tasks pop up and I defer them into timeslots. Before noon, afternoon, evening. Then I get another reminder at a point where I should be done with the tasks in a previous time slot.
HiddenLayer555
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •joshchandra
in reply to HiddenLayer555 • • •friend_of_satan
in reply to joshchandra • • •joshchandra
in reply to friend_of_satan • • •friend_of_satan
in reply to joshchandra • • •I have a shell alias that opens a task file named YYYY-MM.md. This keeps the notes from getting too long. It has really helped me out in meetings where we need some kind of reference to what decisions were made or when something happened. So it serves as a work log and a task list.
Splitting by month also helps me trim tasks from the list that were not completed but are no longer high priority. They just don't get copied to the new list. I can still look back to see things I had aspired to but never did. Like "yes, you asked me to do that 3 months ago and then it was deprioritized."
HiddenLayer555
in reply to joshchandra • • •Appoxo
in reply to joshchandra • • •I like the archival aspect.
If needed, I can reference older entries.
I repurposed this handling as a makeshift parcel tracking note in Google Keep.
tehWrapper
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •f-droid.org/packages/de.tnmgl.…
I have used flat txt files and also ntoodotxt for other stuff. Sync them all with syncthing.
ntodotxt | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository
f-droid.orgAnna
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •cerement
Unknown parent • • •vacuumflower
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •I tried using org-mode, but eventually returned to simple plain text.
Color notation, or various enriching elements don't help. They actually distract.
There's the task. The task of having a TODO list. Its elements are free form by definition.
I swear, today's tech is 99% arrogant people showing themselves how they know everything, except they don't solve the actual task which is the only thing needed.
Like those over-engineered half-working arcane machines they portray in steampunk settings, except those at least feel cool.
It's like that anecdote about "what buzzes, spins and doesn't bite your ass? - a Soviet machine for biting your ass". 2025 machines for biting your ass do everything, including almost sexual gratification of their developers from using any of a hundred of hipster libraries, frameworks and build systems, and a server component using Firebase, AWS and what not, what they don't do is actually bite your ass. Well, they kinda scratch it.
Doing a lot is not the same as doing better.
Also I fucking hate modern UI\UX design and ergonomics (both lacking).
There's something about the Silicon Valley and everything looking up to it. A culture of authoritarian cheap bullshit, with pretty arrogant people not capable of having a civil discussion, and when they fail that, it's not themselves who they blame.
Honestly it sometimes feels as if all the visible things around were like that. Linux included. Also maybe BTRON for workstations not happening is a bigger tragedy than it would seem.
Ephera
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •I just want to be able to start typing right away without worrying where to put the note or what to title it or whatever. Like, I will put a title on it and include some keywords to help me find things again, but I can do that later when I don't need to noting things down...
djpanini
in reply to Ephera • •@Ephera
have you tried Joplin?
ClassifiedPancake
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •I’m very happy with Things. Been using it for 7 years with an occasional dip into Todoist and Apple Reminders just out of interest, but always coming back to Things.
It fits exactly how my brain works. The only annoyance is that I cannot tick off recurring tasks before they are scheduled.
pH3ra
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •GitHub - quillpad/quillpad: Take beautiful markdown notes and stay organized with task lists.
GitHubphotonic_sorcerer
in reply to pH3ra • • •Allero
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •My biggest issue with all these Markdown editors is that the format is text only, forcing other files to be stored independently. It does not support embedded pictures, formulas, etc.
My perfect option uses some format that would allow text, pictures, audio and video, optional LaTeX formatting all in one file, and wouldn't be constrained to a single application that can run it all. At least some apps supporting it should be in a note-taking layout, not a standard office program.
Mobile support would be a banger, too, but is optional.
Essentially, I want a OneNote-like experience without walled garden, bundled in a way that would allow it to be painlessly exported into several other pieces of software, available on Linux.
Any ideas on that?
Zerush
in reply to Allero • • •Not OpenSource, but free, reliable and private, online right in your browser, it's a complete word processor, you can also edit Html, select webpages and paste it in the editor which conserve the original UI with all working links, Files and documets are stored locally in .htm, .pdf or .txt. Blazing fast and works also in mobile, even as PWA.
bluevelvet.ssuiteoffice.com/
(Part of the SSuite, it's a hobby project of two elictricians which make money with their workshop, not with these apps, no commercial interests, no ads, logs, tracking or othe crap, no account)
Allero
in reply to Zerush • • •Thanks! Will check it out
P.S. Seems more like a general purpose editor with a twist, though, and not a solid note-taking solition upon the first glance. Thanks for the recommendation anyway!
Zerush
in reply to Allero • • •Well, you can use it as such, storing the notes locally with the corresponding title.
You'll find a lot more on the SSuite, maybe there you'll find something els which may serve you, anyway good to bookmark it, it's pretty usefull.
But I also remember another app, an old Gem, OpenSource which may fullfit your needs, it's a very powerfull tree style note taking app, rich text format and if you need, also syntax highlighting for programming scripts. (Windows, Linux) (.rtf, .txt, scripts)
github.com/giuspen/cherrytree
giuspen.net/cherrytree/#downl
GitHub - giuspen/cherrytree: cherrytree
GitHubAllero
in reply to Zerush • • •Euphoma
in reply to Allero • • •xournal++, you can write text with your keyboard, latex, you can add audio
you can't add video though
Allero
in reply to Euphoma • • •Not sure it fits entirely, but this seems like a superb option for handwritten digital notes which I'd also like to see!
Useful for when I need to quickly insert some formula or figure.
JackbyDev
in reply to Allero • • •Allero
in reply to JackbyDev • • •Not really, still MD-based 🙁
Closest to that were Trilium and Zettlr, but again, they store media separately and address it in inconvenient ways.
Appoxo
in reply to Allero • • •How so?
I configured Obsidian to throw all media files in one directory.
All files are referenced by a common picture link
Appoxo
in reply to MarcellusDrum • • •So far the best for me is a mix of Google's Tasks and Notes.
Both hide ticked of tasks, have functional reminders and are accessible from any authenticated device (to be edited).
All others I've tried, lack the hiding of the ticked boxes requiring one to create new pages divided by months, weeks or some other divider.