Intro

"Dig of the Week" is my occasional series where I explore interesting Open Source projects.

Over time, using tools like OneNote or other web-based solutions can lead to various issues. If you're unsatisfied with your current setup, consider Markdown—an elegant, simple, and powerful tool for managing documents effectively, customized to your workflow and programming needs.

Why Use Markdown?

1. Performance and Lightweight Design:

   • Markdown editors offer a fast, minimal writing experience, unlike some tools that may suffer from performance issues.

2. Offline Independence:

   • Markdown files are stored locally, meaning you're not dependent on an internet connection, unlike many web-based solutions.

3. Flexible File Management:

   • Markdown files integrate easily with your operating system's file management, giving you more control over organization.

4. Customization Options:

   • Many Markdown editors allow for high levels of customization, enabling you to personalize themes, text editors, and more.

5. Version Control Compatibility:

   • Markdown works seamlessly with version control systems like Git, making collaboration and tracking changes easier.

6. Open Standard:

   • As a plain text format, Markdown ensures long-term accessibility, unlike proprietary formats like OneNote.

Recommended PKMS (Personal Knowledge Management Systems)

Explore these applications to find one that suits your workflow needs.

Folder-Based Editors for Beginners

Start with simple, user-friendly tools:

• Typora: Offers a minimal design with support for tables of contents, image handling, and embeds (YouTube, PDFs, PlantUML).
• Ghostwriter: A straightforward open-source editor.

Vault-Based Editors for Complex Databases

For more intricate workflows that require hierarchical file management:

• Obsidian: Ideal for managing structured files and directories with robust linking capabilities and extensive plugin support. One limitation is that it doesn't support other plain text formats directly, though you can open them in external apps.

Block-Based Editors for Theses and Non-Hierarchical Use

If you're managing large projects like theses, these tools allow for more granular organization by focusing on individual blocks of text:

• Logseq: Designed for block-based organization, perfect for referencing individual text blocks. Also supports YouTube and PDF embeds.

Other Options

• Org-mode for Emacs: On my #todo list, Org-mode is a powerful markup language within the Emacs editor.

• Dendron: A local-first, open-source note-taking tool tailored for developers. Integrates smoothly with IDEs like VS Code and VSCodium.

• Doom Emacs: A streamlined Emacs configuration framework with curated packages to enhance the overall Emacs experience.