My Note-Taking Problem

Over on The Linux Cast, I talk a lot about note-taking programs. It has become a bit of a meme, really. "Oh, there goes Matt again, talking about a note-taking app."

For years, Google Keep was my note-taking app of choice. Well, not choice, but the one I used because it was easy, free, and simple enough. But, I don't like being reliant on the Goog for things, so for literal years I've been looking for something different, which led me to making video after video after video of apps and workflows that I've tried.

If you name it, I've tried it. Probably more than once. Some have stuck around longer than others. Recently, I've been using a self-hosted solution called Memos. It's excellent, very much like Google Keep but has more features, and is pretty enough not to be horrible to use. The problem is that it doesn't have a mobile app. The PWA that I use for it is fine, but obnoxiously slow.

The issue here is as it has always been: I'm seeking perfection. Not as in a perfect application, but perfect for me. If only I could code, I'd make my own. But I can't.

So, I continue my hunt.

More Time Searching Than Note-Taking

The funny thing is, I've moved around so much, my notes are a mess. And I've spent more time looking and customizing applications that take notes than I have actually taking notes.

It's an odd place to be in. I mean, I take countless notes, but I also spend far too much time fretting about the inadequacies of my note-taking solution. So much so that I feel like it has affected my ability to enjoy taking notes. Nothing is ever good enough, nothing works the way I want it to work, and that has led to a fractured workflow that has cost me time, money, and my mental health.

Obsidian

I used to dislike Obsidian as a note-taking solution. I still, kind of, don't think it's simple enough for my preferred method of taking notes. But, it is the most full-featured application I've used for this.

What I've decided is that I need to get over myself. Create a home for my notes in Obsidian (because it's the most customizable, I can basically make it do whatever I want), and then use Nextcloud sync with an app called Quillpad for note-taking on the go.

I can't code my perfect note-taking solution. But I can craft it from the effort of others – Obsidian, Nextcloud, and Quillpad allow me to do just that.

It's not going to be perfect out of the box. Already, I've had problems with syncing. But, my plan is to overcome instead of move on. I can't keep moving from application to application, expecting some mythical experience that solves every problem of those that came before. That has never happened before because that experience doesn't exist. I'm too picky, I need to work to make the experience work for me, instead of forcing that burden on the apps themselves.

Organization

What this is going to mean, is that I'll have to actually organize my notes. Traditionally, my notes are all dumped into one notebook, workspace, or whatever. That isn't going to fly with this workflow. I'm going to have to put notes where they need to go so that when I actually have to refer to them later, I can actually find them.

Tags and proper directory structure will be a must-have. The more I do it now at the beginning, the better it will be a year from now when I have 10,000 notes. I will also have to ensure that the syncing solution is as solid as possible. If Nextcloud doesn't cut it (and I've found myself increasingly disappointed in Nextcloud these past few months), I will have to find something more stable.

I take notes constantly. My memory is crap (which my friends and coworkers will attest to). So I write everything down. It helps me retain things, and when I can't recall something, I have it somewhere. If the syncing and organization isn't excellent, this will never work.

Sticking With It

The hardest part will be getting out of the habit of looking at new apps that pop up on my radar. I'm still going to make videos on note-taking apps. I like looking at them for the channel. But I won't be switching away from what I have. I have to settle down into a workflow that doesn't change every few weeks. I can't keep moving the notes I have from one app to another. It just doesn't work. Things get lost, things don't go where they're supposed to go, and at the end I'm left to clean up the mess.

No more.

This new system has to work. I'll make it work. And then I'll finally be happy with my note-taking solution.

Probably.

Also, a note on the comments. I know that Chirpy isn't great. You can leave anonymous comments, just leave the "anonymous" slider on when you click post (it appears on the sign on page that opens up). Comments on this blog are driving me nuts because I want to find a suitable solution, but switching all the time isn't great.

I'm still working on it.