Introduction to Obsidian

Let me take a moment to share my thoughts on why I believe Obsidian is an exceptional tool for note-taking. This app has significantly impacted my life, supporting me through my initial year at university while also helping me establish an online writing practice that has generated digital income.

Obsidian is continually evolving, with regular updates that enhance its functionality. A recent addition is the Properties feature, which integrates a user interface with YAML metadata. In this article, I will present compelling reasons why nearly everyone could benefit from using Obsidian for their note-taking needs.

1. Obsidian is Free

For those seeking a cost-effective solution, Obsidian comes at no charge! The app does not conceal any features behind a paywall, although Sync and Publish options do exist for a fee. With a plethora of apps today requiring monthly subscriptions—like Reflect, Noteplan, and Roam Research—Obsidian stands out by offering similar features without the associated costs.

Of course, Obsidian needs to generate revenue, which it does through services like:

• Obsidian Sync: This feature allows you to access your notes across multiple devices seamlessly.
• Obsidian Publish: You can share your vault online, making it accessible to anyone.

Both services are available for $8 per month each, which is quite reasonable given their utility. Additionally, students can benefit from a 40% discount. The Catalyst License, a one-time fee of $25, grants early access to new features and a Discord badge. I opted for the Catalyst License to fully commit to the platform, and I find it to be a worthwhile investment.

2. Versatility of Obsidian

Last year, my focus shifted from personal development literature to biology notes as a university student, and more recently, to content creation during my summer break. Obsidian adapts beautifully to various needs. With numerous plugins available, you can effortlessly integrate highlights from your readings, export information to flashcard applications, or create well-structured PDFs from scientific papers.

I always advocate for a minimalist approach to note-taking, and Obsidian supports this philosophy. You can deactivate unnecessary core plugins, leaving you with a straightforward Markdown editor to capture your thoughts. It strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality, ensuring you can work efficiently without distractions.

On the other hand, Obsidian can also cater to diverse tasks, including audio notes, AI integrations, drawing, writing, project management, and more—all in one app.

3. The Exceptional Obsidian Community

Since discovering Obsidian, I have consistently benefited from the knowledge shared by its community. There are numerous platforms, including forums, a Reddit group, and a Discord server, where users share plugin suggestions, troubleshoot issues, and provide guidance.

Step-by-step tutorials on YouTube, as well as resources like the Obsidian Observer on Medium and the Obsidian Roundup on Twitter, keep you updated on the latest developments, plugins, and features.

Where Obsidian Might Fall Short

Despite its many advantages, Obsidian is not without its limitations. For instance, it lacks real-time collaborative editing, a feature offered by many cloud-based applications. Additionally, while syncing across devices is possible through third-party services like Dropbox or iCloud, the associated complexity may deter some users.

Nevertheless, for personal knowledge management (PKM), Obsidian remains a highly functional and trusted tool. If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to give it a try. I hope this article has provided you with valuable insights, and thank you for reading!

Your support for this article on Medium is appreciated—clapping for it helps me continue sharing useful information to enhance your productivity and creativity.

If you found something particularly resonant or wish to discuss my views, feel free to leave a comment.

PARAZETTEL for Obsidian

A unique, downloadable vault for the note-taking app Obsidian, fusing Tiago Forte's Building a Second Brain and Niklas...

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Chapter 2: Video Insights on Obsidian

In the video "3 Reasons to NOT use Obsidian," the creator discusses potential drawbacks of the app, weighing them against its benefits. This is important for anyone considering the software.

The second video, "Taking notes for work with Obsidian," offers practical advice on how to use Obsidian effectively in a professional setting, showcasing its versatility and features.