Maximizing Your Digital Freedom with Obsidian: Key Features
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Chapter 1: Embracing the Plain Text Paradigm
In the quest for true digital liberation, it's crucial that your notes exist independently, free from the constraints of any single application.
Photo used under license from jumpstory. Plain text added by Author.
To reach peak productivity, akin to a ninja mastering Tai Jitsu, one must become adept at utilizing the plain text format with minimal external tools. While I appreciate the utility of various plugins, my goal is to maintain a robust productivity system that can function without them.
Section 1.1: Essential Features of Obsidian
Despite my minimalist philosophy, there are several features of Obsidian that I find indispensable. Here are the seven core enhancements that I would struggle to live without, ranked by their significance:
- Markdown and wiki-style links — fundamental for connectivity.
- Embedded files — enables seamless integration of documents.
- Page preview on hover — simplifies daily notes while maintaining clarity.
- Folding sections — aids in concentrating on specific parts of my weekly notes.
- Periodic Notes — a major time-saver for future planning.
- Calendar — enhances the ease of accessing daily and weekly notes.
- Note Refactor — accelerates the creation of concise notes from larger texts.
- Auto Note Mover — a valuable time-saving tool, even if alternatives exist.
Section 1.2: Optional Plugins for Daily Use
Next, I have a list of 10 plugins that I could manage without more easily than the core features mentioned above, even if they add convenience to my workflow:
- Dataview
- Auto Backups (incremental backups to Dropbox)
- Auto Link Title
- Checklist (for creating shopping lists)
- Natural Language Dates
- Regex Find/Replace
- Tag Wrangler
- QuickShare (for sharing Obsidian files)
- Show Current File Path
- Style Settings
While I can rename tags and execute vault-wide find and replace tasks in Visual Studio Code, performing these actions within Obsidian via plugins is significantly more convenient.
Next, let's explore an engaging video that showcases some lesser-known yet powerful features of Obsidian.
This video, titled "How To Use Obsidian: Two UNDERUSED Features," highlights features that might not be on your radar but can significantly enhance your workflow.
Chapter 2: The Importance of Data Ownership
When your notes are designed to be portable and future-proof, your digital workspace becomes a safer, more enjoyable environment. Ultimately, you have ownership over this space.
It’s essential to resist the allure of proprietary systems that may seem appealing. While they might offer enticing features, they come with restrictions that can limit your digital freedom.
Just because your notes are stored in applications like Obsidian or Logseq—where your data resides locally—doesn't mean you're entirely free from the pitfalls of a walled garden. Relying on a unique feature of these applications can compromise your autonomy.
Consider the analogy of a washing machine: while it can save you time, ensure that your most valued items are not dependent on a specific brand for cleaning.
For further insights into optimizing your digital productivity, check out my Plain Text, Paper-Less Productivity Digest, as well as my other articles on Obsidian.
Ellane's Obsidian Insights
Though I may not be adept at coding, I take full control of my data, and so can you. There’s a wealth of additional Obsidian knowledge available.