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diff --git a/blog/2022-03-02-note-taking.org b/blog/2022-03-02-note-taking.org deleted file mode 100644 index 15f0b7c..0000000 --- a/blog/2022-03-02-note-taking.org +++ /dev/null @@ -1,157 +0,0 @@ -#+title: Easy, Reliable Note-Taking -#+date: 2022-03-02 - -** Choosing Durable File Formats -:PROPERTIES: -:CUSTOM_ID: choosing-durable-file-formats -:END: - -#+begin_quote -TL;DR: Write in a format that can be easily rendered and read in -plain-text mode (e.g., =.txt=, =.md=, etc.). - -#+end_quote - -As I've written more and more over the years, I've found that my love of -note-taking is always growing. Everything I learn or need to remember -can be written down in a note and saved digitally, with no cost to -myself. Unlike paper copies that need physical storage space, digital -files simply need space on your local disk or cloud storage, which is -fairly abundant these days. - -However, I had a historical struggle with migration of notes between -different apps that require different formats and applied proprietary -styling. This meant that I had to go through each note during migration -and edit the file to look presentable again. - -For the last year or two, I have written everything exclusively in -[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown][Markdown]] format. Small -notes, long-form writings, and even these blog posts are all written in -Markdown. - -Why Markdown? While I do appreciate the simplicity of plain-text files -without any formatting, I often need visual cues such as heading and -code blocks to keep my thoughts straight. Markdown provides a minimal -set of styling indicators for me to style my notes without adding any -proprietary, embedded data into the files. If I want a top-level -heading, I simply add a hash (=#=) before the line. An added bonus is -that even if a system doesn't understand Markdown, it will render it as -plain-text and I can read it just as easily. - -For example, here's how TextEdit on macOS will open and display a -Markdown file in plain-text, since it does contain any features to -preview Markdown as HTML: - -#+caption: Plain Text Markdown -[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20220302-easy-reliable-note-taking/plain_markdown.png]] - -** Saving & Syncing Files -:PROPERTIES: -:CUSTOM_ID: saving-syncing-files -:END: -In order to read and edit my notes across platforms, I use my personal -cloud storage through Tresorit due to its native integration with macOS -and iOS file managers. In addition, Tresorit works well on Debian-based -Linux distros, which I used before macOS (and will likely switch back to -in a few years). - -You can use whatever sync software you want - syncing plain-text or -markdown files is incredibly easy and fast, since the files are -generally tiny. - -Since the cloud storage syncs files automatically, there is no need for -me to sync anything manually or kick-off a sync job to update my files. -This means that I can edit on mobile, and it takes about 5-10 seconds to -see the changes on desktop. - -*** Version Control with Git -:PROPERTIES: -:CUSTOM_ID: version-control-with-git -:END: -A different approach I've contemplated is storing my notes and -attachments is using a hosted Git repository to track changes to the -files. However, I don't want to rely on an external service that could -potentially see into my data, even if the repository is private. - -I might just do =git init= locally and then commit my changes each time -I write or update a note, but that seems to be a lot of work just for -tracking changes - which I don't necessarily care to know. - -*** Backups! -:PROPERTIES: -:CUSTOM_ID: backups -:END: -One small addition to the storage/sync conversation is the idea of -backups. Personally, I manually create periodic backups of my entire -cloud storage, compress it into an archive, and store it on my home -server. - -To improve my workflow, I am going to be exploring options to -automatically compress the mounted cloud directory and send it over to -my server on a set schedule. - -** Writing on Desktop -:PROPERTIES: -:CUSTOM_ID: writing-on-desktop -:END: - -#+begin_quote -*Update (06.14.22)*: Since writing this post, I have reverted to simply -keeping my =notes= folder open and opening notes individually in -TextEdit for a more minimal and relaxing writing experience on the -desktop. - -#+end_quote - -The bulk of my writing occurs in a desktop environment, with a full -keyboard layout and wide screen. I don't illustrate with a smart pen, I -rarely use embedded images, and I love being able to see all of my -notes/directories in a sidebar. - -With this simple set of requirements, I chose -[[https://obsidian.md][Obsidian]] as my desktop text editor. Obsidian -has some in-depth tools like a graph view, command palette, mentions, -etc., but I've found that using it as a simple Markdown editor is -incredibly easy and straightforward. - -Here's an example of how my Markdown notes look when opened in -plain-text mode: - -#+caption: Obsidian Markdown Source Mode -[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20220302-easy-reliable-note-taking/obsidian_source_mode.png]] - -Here's the "live preview" version, where the Markdown is rendered into -its HTML format: - -#+caption: Obsidian Markdown Live Preview -[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20220302-easy-reliable-note-taking/obsidian_live_preview.png]] - -*** Programming on Desktop -:PROPERTIES: -:CUSTOM_ID: programming-on-desktop -:END: -While I was writing this, I realized I should specify that I don't use -the same editor for writing notes and for writing code. For programming -purposes, I use [[https://vscodium.com][VSCodium]] as my development -IDE. - -** Writing on Mobile -:PROPERTIES: -:CUSTOM_ID: writing-on-mobile -:END: -Personally, I write very little on mobile, except when needing to take -important notes on-the-go. Any long-form writing, journals, etc. are -done at home, where I always have my laptop available. - -I wanted a simple and foolproof editor for iOS, preferably open-source. -After a long journey of testing the few (& terrible) open-source iOS -note-taking apps, I finally found a phenomenal one: -[[https://github.com/simonbs/runestone][Runestone]]. This app is -fantastic for note-taking, has plenty of optional features, and -integrates natively with the iOS file manager. - -This app opens the iOS file manager and allows you to click any file you -want, opens it up in an editor, and lets me save and close out of that -note. - -Quite simple but effective. |