đź’ Tools for Thought
Don’t just create your notes, connect them
Hey friends!
Welcome to another edition of The Report. This week’s newsletter will be about using tools of thought effectively to help you create your digital knowledge library. Over the last few years, there’s been a huge amount of apps that help you take notes, make connections and create a second, digital bran. Some of these tools include Mem, Anytype, and even Notion. While these tools do a great job at helping you get started, the tools below are highly recommended for those who want to dive head first into the world of building a second brain.
1. Obsidian
Obsidian is a powerful markdown editor that stores your files locally and helps you take notes and make connections effortlessly. Obsidian’s growing community has built a vast number of plug-ins that help using Obsidian much better. Obsidian’s main goal is to future proof notes so that they’ll be accessible for generations to come.
This tool is perfect for someone looking for a simple, privacy-first app that helps you create notes, understand connections and build your second brain. Obsidian is available on Windows, Mac and has a mobile app as well.
2. Logseq
Logseq is a great Obsidian alternative that also works in markdown. Logseq also focuses on task management, although I wouldn’t recommend this tool primarily for task management. Logseq also provides a WYSIWYG editor and an outliner mode that can be helpful if you have lots of long pages of notes. Logseq also utilizes block referencing effectively, which makes it easy for you to find exactly what you’re looking for.
This tool is perfect for someone that does a lot of research, has to deal with a lot of information at once and wants a privacy-focused app. Logseq is available on desktop and iOS platforms, with an Android app in the works.
3. Athens
Athens is another great alternative that is similar, and preferable, to Roam Research. Athens also provides a WYSIWYG editor with an outliner view. It is even looking into offering collaboration so you can share your second brain with coworkers, peers and friends.
This tool is perfect for someone that’s looking for a light-weight, easy to use editor for note-taking, journaling and research.
4. Dynalist
Dynalist is a stripped down version of all the tools listed here. It’s a simple outliner that is ideal for those who want a brainstorming tool for on-the-go note-taking. Dynalist values structure over connections, and is also a project from the people that created Obsidian.
This tool is highly recommended if you are just getting started with building a second brain. It’s simple and doesn’t overwhelm you, so it’s a perfect starting point.
5. Reflect
Reflect is probably the most polished and well designed note-taking tool on this list. While it is built for the same purposes, Reflect goes above and beyond by having a great mobile app, supporting end-to-end encryption and even providing Kindle imports. It even integrates with your calendar to keep your meeting notes in context and lets you create templates for notes you create frequently.
Reflect is highly recommended for users who are looking for a polished and friendly app that does everything that Obsidian and Logseq do.
đź’ś My Favorite Things
🧰 Gadget → If you haven’t already heard, Amazon recently released the Kindle Scribe, a Kindle that lets you take notes! Check it out here.
📝 Article → This article by Darius Foroux talks about his 7 lessons from 7 years of writing.
📱App → Expand your reading list with Literal.
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