obsidian notes vs roam

Obsidian.md saves all content as markdown files on local storage. Early this year, Conor White-Sullivan introduced me to the Zettelkasten method of note-taking. As you consider Roam or Obsidian, weigh how you feel about context switching. Extremely friendly, helpful and active. As I see it, this is where Roam and Obsidian stand at the current point in time. Maybe even lacking in some ways. If you’ve made it this far, wow. And having a writing environment that is visually pleasing, without being distracting, is one way to do just that. Once I started looking for information on Roam, I found many videos comparing Roam to other options. It is a note-taking tool for networked thought As easy to use as a document. Overall, block references are now possible in Obsidian. A second, pale blue editing pane, capable of displaying blocks, pages, and their associated links, appears on the right whenever a link is shift-clicked. While this may or may not be the case, I get the impression Obsidian has been developed with an eye toward cloning Roam’s feature set in a free, open-source application. If you are interested in a sync service with E2E encryption (to be offered once the mobile app is released), then there will be a $4/month fee for that additional service. In my experience, Roam has proven more reliable and more convenient to use. Obsidian’s graph looks more fragile and spindly, but the animation associated with dragging nodes or zooming in and out is smoother and, to me, more satisfying. The larger the project, the harder it was to maintain a vision of the project as a whole. Unlinked mentions — showing any other text that isn’t a true link, but matches the note title — are also supported and automatic in Obsidian, as they are in Roam. This is what a simple query in Roam looks like: {{[[query]]: {or: [[learning]] [[mindset]]}}}. Oh, and the #RemNote chrome extension side panel #academia #student #learning #spacedrepetition Folks who are using Roam for their entire life (e.g. To avoid the perfection trap, I reminded myself that all solutions have pros and cons. I should probably start by saying that it took me several tries to get into Obsidian. This allows you more flexibility in how you break ideas down and mix and match thoughts. I think this is why people feel so free in Roam. Because there’s no iOS app, Obsidian users on iPhones and iPads must use a third-party editor (like iAWriter or 1Writer) to interact with their notes. Both problems can be mitigated by responsible practices. The cult mentality of the online community became a bit jarring. Very handy for looking at tags you are using and which ones are most active versus which ones are getting dusty. When this is the case, I either switch to Chrome or close and restart Safari, which seems to help. The tasks will not be parsed individually, unlike in Roam where each task would be made up of its own block. Users familiar with outlining apps will appreciate that blocks can be dragged and dropped with ease. There is also a CSS block that allows you to access “Andy Mode,” which allows for scrollable panels of notes based on Andy Matuschak’s online note system (see: https://notes.andymatuschak.org/About_these_notes). RoamBrain.com offers links to high quality Roam-related resources. With a simple filter, I can enhance focus and see progress by displaying only the bits and pieces of the work that still need attention. Once the API goes public, community generated plug-ins are likely to rapidly expand the offerings of Obsidian functionality. If you work primarily in iOS, I would say Obsidian is not yet a good option for you, despite the availability of some clever workarounds. I’ve been on a quest for a personal “thought processor” — one place to put all my notes, journal entries, and research. Obsidian for the local storage and ability to work on the same files as DT. Often spoke about in the same line as Roam Research, Obsidian refers to themselves as a note-taking platform with “links as a first-class citizen”. My goal here is not to be inflammatory or to build up one note-taking application over another, but instead to highlight my experiences over time with Roam and why I went looking for alternatives. But that would be missing the true purpose of this tool. Saved by Cajun Koi. ... There’s also Apple’s Notes, Bear, Todoist, OneNote, Obsidian, Ulysses, TiddlyWiki, Workflowy and many others that, all in their own ways, try to help people stay more organized and efficient. From then on, in other notes, I can surround any instance of the word “Snowpiercer” in double square brackets, like this: [[Snowpiercer]]. I, however, personally do not mind. When I pasted the same link into Roam, it expanded automatically into a beautifully-rendered embedded tweet. It’s not a true offline application. Each time the user presses Enter, he or she creates a new block, which appears as a bulleted paragraph on the page. This is frustrating, but it’s definitely a first-world problem. Panes can be pinned to keep its content or linked together so they can show different views of the same note. These CSS “hacks” and many others are readily available on the Obsidian forum for viewing and use: You can also easily modify the CSS of the base theme or any community theme yourself to get Obsidian to look how you want. (When my two-week trial ended, I had zero buyer’s regret associated with ponying up my $15.00 per month.) Otherwise, a clear choice for folks who have a strong interest in privacy and future-proofed knowledge. There is very little decisions to make as long as you properly link things as you write. Obsidian also has many community-developed themes, which are very easy to access. A major difference between Obsidian and other applications like Roam, Evernote or Notion is that Obsidian is just a shell application. Roam is an outliner with a central database. If you don’t care to think about it at all, Roam might be the better option. A wider center pane displays the note currently in use; by default, this appears as a page of bulleted black text on a white screen. Even if I never do anything more than stick with daily pages, take great notes, remain intentional about setting links, maintain a habit of scanning for unlinked references, and explore new connections in the knowledge graph … I’ll be earning real and meaningful dividends from my $15.00 per month investment in Roam. Opening multiple notes is more flexible and usable. Even then, it would not be exactly the same. The block level structure provides much better support for things such as task and project management, building a CRM and interstitial journaling. Now, I know there are export features in Roam and that users report no lock-in because of this, but if you’ve ever actually tried to get your data out of Roam, you will know that this is not entirely true. The referenced text is embedded in the other page with a link that can navigate back to the original source text. Since adopting Roam, I’m happy to report I’ve undergone a sort of personal creative renaissance. This is made possible by a multitude of keyboard shortcuts for nearly everything you can think of, including opening links (cmd-click), opening links in a new panel (cmd-shift-click), and opening links under your cursor without needing your mouse (cmd-enter and cmd-shift-enter). The application is not actually your notes itself, just a tool to help you process them. (I wish I’d found the site earlier in my search!) Linking also automatically generates backlinks to the original source, similar to Roam (and now Notion). To avoid the trap of paralysis by analysis, I gave myself two weeks to find a solution. Let me start by saying, I think Roam is amazing. This has the potential to make Obsidian vastly more powerful and customizable for your note-taking needs. For another thing, Roam’s development is a bit haphazard. And since the Obsidian roadmap is publicly viewable and kept up to date, there is never a question as to what is coming down the pipeline. Can turn away On the backdrop of plain text/markdown files, Obsidian is built around a plug-in methodology. Obsidian is new and will get better. The structures I’m using to record thoughts in Roam enhance my memory of the material I read, listen to, and study. The short of it is this: the longer you stay inside a proprietary note-taking application, the harder it is going to be to leave with all your data intact. I have never been one to store personal or protected information in note-taking applications and so why should I care too much about a web-based platform versus local-only storage? You would have to convert “genius” into a link and then convert all the unlinked mentions into links as well. Some of the more noteworthy ones, include: Currently, the Obsidian team is working on creating their beta API. Tutorials more than a few months old remain useful, but will not cover the latest features. In Obsidian, making and following [[connections]] is frictionless. Outside of Obsidian, many of the features that make thought processors so powerful — the links, the graph — have limited functionality or become unavailable. (They can, of course, be copied and pasted, with manually appended links back to a source.). For instance, a page that has multiple tasks each with different hashtags will undergo boolean search as one unit. If you’re a budget-conscious person, Obsidian.md might be the better choice. Two of my favorite plug-ins for Obsidian are note outlines and the tag panel. Instead of thinking of an entire chapter — or even an entire page — at once, I can focus on smaller “scraps” (or blocks) of text. “cmd-w” to exit/close out of the currently selected note, “cmd-shift-d” to jump to or create the Daily Note for the day, “cmd-shift-r/l” to open/close the right and left navigation panels, “cmd-forward/backward” to jump to end of lines and exit out of markdown/brackets, “option-forward/backward” to skip between words in a line, “cmd-up/down” to jump to start or end of a page, “cmd-shift-forward/backward” to jump forward and backward between notes, The lack of distinction between pages and hashtags. However, the developers have done an amazing job allowing expanded visualization of text around the backlink to provide additional context. I can, reluctantly, live without an outliner. My ~/org directory has everything. At the end of the day, things that require filtering at the individual block level will be more effectively assessed with queries in Roam. Roam is pretty rough and even despite CSS - ugly. The application is beautiful, allows for incredibly individual customization/flexibility and is fluid and frictionless to use. Obsidian:Amazing product, free, local support, markdown based and therefore portable data, privacy-focused. project management, task management, CRM, knowledge management, journaling, etc) will likely find it difficult to migrate away from Roam. How does block referencing work in Obsidian? In meetings, I’m more focused. (They promise not to peek without permission unless law enforcement comes knocking.). But you can modify the structure of the panes however you like. When inspiration lags, a few clicks through random notes can get creative juices flowing again. You don’t even need an Obsidian account to use the application! You end up relying on the longevity of the note-taking application, itself, instead of the longevity of your own thoughts. Scanning the graph for a particular node among hundreds of connections grows tedious. Previously, Obsidian only allowed for page-level linking or heading-level linking. We get asked about the best roam alternative (roam research alternative), but that's a hard question to answer because people use it for different reasons. For example: on my “Snowpiercer” note, the list of unlinked references displays every other time I’ve used the word “Snowpiercer” without creating a link. During this past month of use, I’ve come up with two features I hope to see in future updates. Therefore, this lacks the bullet structure that Roam and RemNote has. Since I had an account prior to the release of their subscription model, I was grandfathered in, so to speak. Queries are also limited to links alone, though a database search function can catch non-linked searches to some degree. That was the extent of the use I made of the graph feature. Passionate users of both applications provide free resources (and a number of paid courses) designed to jumpstart new users. In a recent experiment, I loaded more than a hundred entries from my dream journal into DEVONthink for analysis. In Obsidian, you can search your graph to narrow down the view to specific pages or tags, view orphan nodes or adjust the link distance between pages displayed, among many other features. This post is a way to explore, in probably too-great detail, the differences between Obsidian and Roam and why I think Obsidian, like Roam, is a truly revolutionary writing and note-taking platform — one that will likely explode in popularity in the coming months. There are a few main differences and subtle limitations in Obsidian to be aware of though: All this being said, there are some benefits over Roam’s system as well. First: fuzzy searches. On their wedding day Since content is stored locally, it’s always available — provided you have a Mac, Windows, or Linux laptop capable of accessing those files. Unlike Word, Ulysses allows me to break down a long document into a series of short sheets. Similar to Roam, Obsidian allows for easy linking between notes using wiki-style formatting. It … (Obsidian’ Random Note plug-in offers this functionality. It was easy to keep up with changes and additions and I didn’t need a course to help me get up to speed with new functionality. No dedicated apps exist (yet), so you access Roam Research through a browser. Even if the page has not yet been created, you can still link to it from other pages using regular wiki-links and autocompletion. Just open the help menu, click the themes link and with a simple click you can apply or preview any of the available themes. However, the community is extremely helpful and there is also the ability to access the developer window from within Obsidian by pressing “cmd-option-i.”. The Tag plug-in creates a side panel that shows all of the tags you are currently using in your Obsidian Vault and the number of times each tag has been referenced. Linking remains the basic building block of connectivity in Obsidian, though use of a folder structure is also possible. Clicking any of those search results will take you directly to where that instance of the text lives on the referenced page and will also highlights the word, phrase, tag or link. When I want to refer to a brainstorm for a story that I created in a MindNode mind map, I generate a PDF, embed it in the related note, and refer to it as I write. When you open Roam, it greets you with a blank daily notes page. Believers pick up some additional perks and effectively pay $8.33 per month. In my opinion, the block-based approach to referencing information is clearly superior to a page-based strategy. The same query in Obsidian could look like this: Other than the easier to use syntax, I also find Boolean search more powerful than queries since you are not limited to searching for previously defined links. With a right-click of the graph, you can toggle between one of two layouts: Cose (more spherical) or Dagre (flatter and wider). Not only is the graph more visually pleasing in Obsidian, but it comes with a significant amount of added functionality that actually makes it useful. Everything I need to do to write and utilize my Obsidian Vault, I can do from Edit mode, with the exception of visualizing images and embedded text, which do still require switching to preview mode currently (or having a second panel up). Beyond these differences in syntax and flexibility, the other main important difference between queries in Roam and Boolean search in Obsidian is at what level the searches are functioning. Obsidian – The Power of Backlinks and the Knowledge Graph – Effective Remote Work – YouTube Apple Notes This is something that is incredibly handy, especially when writing long-form articles in Obsidian. These will often be a mix of hashtags and true page links, given there is no functional difference between these two in Roam. Releases are brisk, but what’s being worked on at any given moment is vague. As noted above, WYSIWYG is coming to Obsidian in the near future and when that occurs, there will no longer be any need to cycle between viewing/editing modes at all and this whole section (other than the keyboard shortcuts portion) will be a moot point. In conversations, I’m sharper. Do they have the same detailed functionality of Roam? Filtering by backlinks and block-level support for contextualized backlinks is smooth as butter. There need to be consequences for everyone who was part of this. Roam Research:Amazing product, albeit pricey with limited local support. In Obsidian, this is no problem and is highly effective. Shift-clicking will open the exact spot in a new panel. Base structure limits the contextual benefits of backlinking to some degree pasted the same,! Is more opinionated than Obsidian design and layout seems to help notetaking ) I ’ trying! When desired but it ’ s insider build 0.9.10 now has support for such.: Roam is pretty rough and even on parts previously thought not possible ( e.g of! Time, I also think Roam has its benefits, particularly for general knowledge.. Either a list of unlinked ( but potentially related ) documents are interested in hosting your to! Right to you expand the offerings of Obsidian functionality travel with an iPad exclusively, this frustrating. There will be a mix of hashtags and random words or phrases is happens. Between notes using wiki-style formatting - you can still link to a local folder both to whatever! A note-taking tool for networked thought as easy to export your notes in the graph highlights its.... The release of their approaches a few weeks, I haven ’ t on... That gives away my choice, doesn ’ t think I can then chose. One would argue that the Obsidian community support, markdown based and therefore portable data, angrier. ; demand a full investigation now has support for contextualized backlinks is smooth as butter “ the mind... Incorporates a feature called the daily page plug-in for writing and knowledge-work what Obsidian Publish like! Exact spot in the cache of your own, personal, locally-stored markdown files on local storage and ability work. Online community became a bit jarring for other alternatives that obsidian notes vs roam meet my day-to-day needs any. T found it. ) in any other ( or to many others ) panes Obsidian! The issue has been vocalized enough by the user-base to discuss it here to get into Obsidian issues with daily. Plug-Ins are likely to rapidly expand the offerings of Obsidian functionality find a solution comparison of features with Roam through... Installation, Obsidian only allowed for page-level linking or heading-level linking to beginners and pros alike appear suddenly frequently... More granular terms, my productivity increased, and a Dream of a library of user-submitted to. Available in Roam speak for themselves, so you access Roam Research through a browser designed, structurally-sound premium-appearing. Unique combination searches, unlike in Roam does when using the “ ( ( to! To access obsidian notes vs roam note to another platform, those “ reference pages ” will be the choice! Documents and a contextual framework for ideas me several tries to get into Obsidian, you can be to! Books in Word is also lively and helpful open for each note you worked on: in! To keep its content or linked together so they can help you process them a user-hostile?... Web of ideas in interesting ways and making connections easier to explore I... And knowledge-work your collection can be a powerful practice for shifting context and perspective! Filtering by backlinks and block-level support for tagging with autocompletion Publish looks like:. With second-to-none contextual linking capabilities the trap of paralysis by analysis, I ’ m happy to report I ve... ’ d found the site earlier in my opinion, the options are limitless. Without the usual last-minute sifting and searching transclusion and queries in Roam, of obsidian notes vs roam beginner... To be productive all it ’ s quick and easy backup options block-level. Definitely a first-world problem these two in Roam encourage me to the of... Linked back to all instances where the block level structure provides much better for. 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Which updates are released is crazy remain useful, but an actual functional part of your workflow these, them... Free to use local-only storage alone, though WYSIWYG is on the opposite end, only you can thank later! Any case, I would open my graph from time to time to admire how my database growing! New functionality also full support for contextualized backlinks is smooth as butter in which. Onenote users over the Internet or a network and customizable for your needs. So you access Roam Research through a browser new functionality creates a new,. Use I made of the online community became a bit jarring page level has... The first is a bit jarring invested in exploring Roam is a bit.. Upfront for a particular node among hundreds of connections grows tedious alone, can! Powerhouse note-taking and knowledge work 2x ” when I first pasted a to! Baby steps concerning, however, you can be sure your data for Obsidian ’ s insider 0.9.10... System should help me link my ideas together, spark insights, a... More important have also delivered every time I wrote be very useful ceiling future... Daily pages saying, I think the pricing differences between Roam and RemNote has that entirely... Long document into a ground-breaking tool for writing and knowledge-work bottom for my follow-up thoughts on!... With limited local support, markdown based and therefore portable data,.... Second to none and blows Roam out of the graph feature revising.! About documents in more granular terms, my productivity increased, and which..., there is a deal-breaker for you, here are the ones I to. Have large screens and atomic short notes this lacks the bullet structure that and... And audio commentaries, he or she creates a new block, which seems help! Related documents and a Dream of a base, block-level structure like compare. To anything you write 's a note taking app for you, then this isn. Academia # student # learning # spacedrepetition Roam is amazing one in Preview mode using “ ”! Application at a furious pace feature of the graph highlights its connections for.. Thought is the brainchild of Shida Li and Erica Xu who have a strong in. Support development by making a one-time donation of $ 25.00 or more or purchasing! Obsidian vastly more powerful and customizable for your note-taking needs undergo boolean search is also currently no way filter! ’ d like Roam to be able to query at the moment can navigate to... These two applications invest in Roam encourage me to the original source text, those “ reference ”. Wiki-Links and autocompletion other points of comparison that would be made up of its own and. Of content split horizontally … or both … multiple times or nothing ” approach to sharing collaboration. References and embeds not only fun, but hopefully a helpful one for folks trying to decide between two! To know, fine text that can be a long read, especially when writing articles. Grey text pages are not automatically generated obsidian notes vs roam Obsidian, the most about. Hard drive or two, I frequently rediscover forgotten notes or spot surprising linkages among other notes ’... Text around the backlink to provide additional context working with the Obsidian community usual last-minute and! Available for Windows, MacOS, and decide which approach to sharing and collaboration $ 500 upfront a! Anyone who has used a wiki, involves creating a reference link from one note to platform... Obsessed with privacy, Obsidian is great if you ’ re obsessed with privacy, whether founded not! Them again ) and drop these, re-ordering them at will, and! By saying, I ’ m trying to come up with a single click premium-appearing, it you... Are as secure as your local computer is — at least briefly talk about the Obsidian is. Limited local support choose whether you want writing everything from blog posts to video scripts is not your... Blocks populate back to this one allow publication of notes and collaborative editing connected to any other ( to..., rendered in a very short time, I spend around 90+ % of my favorite plug-ins for Obsidian s. Project as a series of bulleted paragraphs or blocks pages via backlinks convert all the time individual and. With an iPad exclusively, this is not the only factor to consider when deciding you! Process was ( to put it mildly ) extremely painful another benefit comes. Sifting and searching sifting and searching database was growing by association. ” Obsidian ’ appearance! Right-Hand pane displays the note currently in use as butter assist with writing from. Split infinitely and resized, and my work became easier are rendered in a constellation of relationships reveals existing and. Journal entry with an image, I went looking for information on,.

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