1. Notes

I started using Evernote in 2016. After switching from Windows 10 to Mac, I found the UI differences between the two platforms to be quite significant. Adjustments to some function buttons made it extremely uncomfortable to use. I switched to Youdao Cloud Notes and used it for many years. With its iterations, I noticed some useful features disappeared, such as bookmarking and displaying publicly shared notes. Some previously free features became paid, like note encryption and free sharing. After years of paid subscription, the experience didn’t meet expectations. While there were no major issues, something always felt missing. There were many minor problems, like frequent sync network errors when opening notes. After updates, notes couldn’t be opened quickly and required multiple clicks on the icon. The accumulation of bugs became magnified during use.

I once stubbornly wrote a long, detailed email with problem descriptions and suggestions to Youdao’s product team. Thinking back, I was really young to do such a thing; at least now I wouldn’t consider it. Until early 2023, I saw that a series of urgently needed features like note outlines had no schedule according to official customer service feedback and forum posts. Subsequently, I began my journey to find a replacement for note-taking. Having experienced the painful migration from Evernote to Youdao, I prioritized note-taking tools that offer easy data migration, have active plugin communities, and preferably coexist as open-source and paid plans.

2. Exploration

I explored Yuque, Joplin, Notion, OneNote, Logseq, Obsidian, etc. Finally, I chose Obsidian.

I also tried using only Typora or a Word document to manage all notes, but when a single Markdown file had too many lines or a Word document had too many directory entries, the opening speed was almost unbearable. So, hierarchical notes are necessary.

Obsidian notes, except for special files, are all Markdown. Migration and subsequent adjustments are convenient. It has an active third-party plugin community that compensates for the lag in official feature updates. Third-party developers provide excellent plugin solutions.

After nearly half a year of continuous use, I’ve grown to like this note-taking tool more and more. If some commercial cloud note services don’t provide healthy community open-source support, closed note products may decline or be replaced.

3. Reflections

Using cloud notes for work content and reminders has become a habit. From initial tagging to later knowledge bases and reading notes, I now enjoy note-taking. Ultimately, the note-taking tool itself is meant to make work and life more convenient. As notes become increasingly important in life and work, I care about data security. I don’t want my note data stored by commercial companies in the background, and worst of all, private data being censored.

I also hope for many customizable features. An active developer community is an extremely valuable resource. Relying solely on the cloud note company for feature development is a bottomless pit of costs. The only way is to open-source feature interfaces and involve more people. So sometimes, “restricted free” notes with comprehensive public API documentation benefit both users and the company. If notes are only “free” but the product is very closed, users will quietly leave when their needs aren’t met.

I also have many confusions about note-taking. From noting everything to selective noting, and then deleting what I already know, leaving only what I don’t. Even with content filtering, the number of notes becomes increasingly bloated.

Currently, Obsidian’s bidirectional linking feature is occasionally tested based on usage scenarios and drawbacks. Disorganized notes can make people rely on the tool itself and lack thinking, potentially making users less intelligent. So, how to handle when and how to record becomes increasingly important. Frequent organization is necessary.

At each stage, I have different thoughts about note-taking. While making good use of note tools, I must not forget that they can also be a “poison.”