How HACKERS Take Notes!! (Obsidian & More) 🔗 **Source:** [How HACKERS Take Notes!! (Obsidian & More)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: [note-taking, obsidian, hacking, productivity] > author: BlueCosmo > source: CCS > reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q > date created: 2024-12-19 14:30 > > # 🏷️ Title: How HACKERS Take Notes!! (Obsidian & More) > <!-- deep-read:sections start --> ## 🧰 Action Inbox - [H1] Set up three-notebook system: field notes, project notebook, scratch pad — 00:32 #physical - [H2] Install Obsidian and configure basic plugins for note organization — 04:15 #digital - [H3] Implement PARA system with tags instead of folders for cross-cutting organization — 18:45 #organization ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ### 🔗 References - [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md) - [PARA Method](https://fortelabs.co/blog/para/) ## 📝 Summary - BlueCosmo demonstrates a comprehensive note-taking system combining physical notebooks and digital tools - Shows three-notebook physical system: field notes, project notebook, and scratch pad for different purposes - Demonstrates Obsidian markdown note-taking with plugins, themes, and organization strategies - Introduces PARA system (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives) with tag-based organization - Bottom line: Effective note-taking requires both analog capture tools and digital knowledge management systems ## 📖 Main Content The video presents a hybrid approach to note-taking that combines physical notebooks for capture and ideation with digital tools for organization and retrieval. The physical system uses three specialized notebooks: field notes for on-the-go capture, a larger notebook for project planning and design work, and a scratch pad for temporary calculations and drafts. The digital component centers on Obsidian, a markdown-based note-taking application that creates interconnected knowledge graphs. Key features include bidirectional linking, tag organization, and extensive plugin ecosystem for customization. The presenter advocates for tag-based organization over traditional folder hierarchies, allowing notes to exist in multiple organizational contexts simultaneously. The PARA organizational framework provides structure: Projects (short-term tasks), Areas (ongoing responsibilities), Resources (reference materials), and Archives (completed items). This system, combined with Obsidian's linking capabilities, creates a "second brain" for knowledge management. ## 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=32) — [H1] Physical Note-Taking Strategy Overview - Key idea: Three-notebook system serves different capture and processing needs - Evidence: "Field notebook a notebook and a sketch pad" #### ⏱️ [01:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=75) — [H2] Field Notes as Portable Capture - Key idea: Field notes function as always-accessible idea capture and task management - Evidence: "It's practically a phone to me at this point" #### ⏱️ [02:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=150) — [H2] Project Notebook for Design Work - Key idea: Larger format enables visual planning and system design - Evidence: "Plan projects draw flowcharts design UI a ton of other stuff" #### ⏱️ [03:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=190) — [H3] Graph Paper Recommendation - Key idea: Grid structure improves diagram quality and handwriting legibility - Evidence: "Great for making diagrams flowcharts especially if you have shitty handwriting" #### ⏱️ [04:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=255) — [H1] Digital Landscape with Obsidian - Key idea: Obsidian provides structured markdown editing with powerful organization features - Evidence: "Ultra powerful note taking app that will organize notes written in markdown" #### ⏱️ [05:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=345) — [H2] Obsidian Interface Tour - Key idea: Multi-pane interface combines file navigation, calendar, graph view, and productivity tools - Evidence: "File directory structure...tag directory...mini calendar...graph view" #### ⏱️ [07:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=450) — [H2] Markdown Headers and Structure - Key idea: Header hierarchy provides document structure using hashtag syntax - Evidence: "One single hashtag with a space...decrement in size...header two...header three" #### ⏱️ [09:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=555) — [H3] List Types in Markdown - Key idea: Three list formats support different organizational needs - Evidence: "Bulleted list...numbered list...checkbox list" #### ⏱️ [11:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=660) — [H3] Tables and Code Blocks - Key idea: Pipe syntax creates tables while backticks format code inline and in blocks - Evidence: "Pipe...vertical bar...three backticks...syntax highlighting" #### ⏱️ [13:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=800) — [H3] LaTeX Math Support - Key idea: Dollar sign delimiters enable mathematical notation rendering - Evidence: "Dollar signs...inline latex...multi-line...gets centered" #### ⏱️ [14:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=885) — [H2] Wiki Links and Knowledge Connection - Key idea: Double bracket syntax creates bidirectional links between notes - Evidence: "Two brackets...visit other pages...click it and it'll take you to the new file" #### ⏱️ [16:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=990) — [H1] Tags vs Folders Organization - Key idea: Tags enable multi-dimensional organization superior to hierarchical folders - Evidence: "One file linked to multiple folders...hashtag and then the name of your tag" #### ⏱️ [18:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=1125) — [H1] PARA System Introduction - Key idea: Four-category system provides clear decision framework for note placement - Evidence: "Projects area resources archive...shortterm tasks...area of responsibility...easily reference" #### ⏱️ [20:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=1215) — [H2] Essential Obsidian Plugins - Key idea: Plugin ecosystem extends core functionality for specialized workflows - Evidence: "Advanced slides...Advanced tables...calendar plugin...Excalidraw" #### ⏱️ [22:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqQo38wC2Q&t=1350) — [H3] Theme and Customization Options - Key idea: Visual customization improves user experience and workflow adoption - Evidence: "Mini flow...protocol blue...custom style settings" ## 📚 References - [Obsidian Official Site](https://obsidian.md) - [PARA Method by Tiago Forte](https://fortelabs.co/blog/para/) - [Markdown Guide](https://www.markdownguide.org/) - [Sonny Foxall YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@sonnyfoxall) ## 🗣️ Paraphrase - Physical note-taking requires multiple specialized tools: pocket-sized field notes for capture, larger notebooks for design work, and scratch pads for temporary calculations - Digital knowledge management benefits from markdown-based tools like Obsidian that support bidirectional linking, creating interconnected webs of information rather than isolated documents - Organizational systems should prioritize flexible tagging over rigid folder hierarchies, allowing content to exist in multiple contexts and supporting diverse retrieval patterns ## 📰 Newsletter **Level Up Your Note-Taking Game with Hybrid Analog-Digital Systems** Whether you're documenting code, planning projects, or building knowledge bases, effective note-taking can dramatically improve your productivity and learning outcomes. This comprehensive approach combines the tactile benefits of physical notebooks with the organizational power of digital tools. The three-notebook system provides specialized capture methods: always-carry field notes for ideas and tasks, project notebooks for visual planning, and scratch pads for temporary work. Graph paper improves diagram quality and readability. For digital organization, Obsidian's markdown-based approach creates sustainable, portable notes with powerful linking capabilities. The tag-based organization system lets content exist in multiple contexts, while the PARA framework (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives) provides clear placement decisions. Key plugins enhance functionality: Advanced Tables for data organization, Excalidraw for visual thinking, and Calendar integration for time-based planning. Custom themes improve the user experience and encourage consistent usage. **Resources:** [Obsidian Download](https://obsidian.md), [PARA Method Guide](https://fortelabs.co/blog/para/), [Markdown Syntax Reference](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/) ## ✅ Action Items #### DevRel - Documentation: Implement markdown standards for contributor guides and API documentation using Obsidian's table and code block features - Education: Create workshop templates using Advanced Slides plugin for consistent developer training materials - Developer experience: Build interconnected documentation using wiki links to reduce information silos - Community management: Use tag-based organization to track community feedback across multiple channels and platforms #### OSPO - Policy & Governance: Maintain policy documents in markdown for version control and collaborative editing - Software Inventory: Use Obsidian's linking to connect SBOM data with security assessments and license reviews - Developer Support: Create searchable knowledge base using tags for quick issue resolution and guidance lookup - Community Engagement: Track upstream relationships and funding decisions using graph view for dependency mapping #### Community - Maintainers: Provide note-taking templates for project roadmaps and architectural decision records - Contributors: Create onboarding documentation using structured markdown with clear navigation and cross-references - Sponsors: Maintain transparent impact tracking using tables and mathematical notation for budget calculations #### WordPress - Core: Document performance budgets and benchmarks using LaTeX math notation for precise specifications - Documentation: Implement consistent markdown standards across DevHub and HelpHub for improved maintainability - Training: Develop lesson plan templates using checkbox lists for learning objective tracking - Community: Create meetup and WordCamp planning templates with calendar integration for event coordination ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Tag-based organization reduces information retrieval time compared to hierarchical folder systems in knowledge work - Hybrid analog-digital note-taking systems improve idea capture and retention over purely digital approaches - Markdown-based documentation systems increase contributor participation due to lower technical barriers - Graph-based knowledge visualization helps identify knowledge gaps and connection opportunities in team documentation ### 📊 Methodology - A/B testing tag versus folder organization with time-to-retrieval metrics and user satisfaction surveys - Longitudinal study comparing idea implementation rates between physical-first and digital-first capture methods - Analysis of contribution rates and documentation quality before and after markdown adoption in open source projects ### ❓ Questions - How does the cognitive load of maintaining multiple note-taking systems affect long-term adoption and consistency? - What organizational patterns emerge when teams adopt shared Obsidian vaults for collaborative knowledge management? - How can automated linking and tagging reduce manual organization overhead while maintaining knowledge graph quality? ### 🔮 Future Research - Integration patterns between note-taking systems and development workflows (IDE plugins, CI/CD documentation generation) - Machine learning applications for automatic tag suggestion and note clustering in large knowledge bases - Cross-platform synchronization and collaboration features for distributed teams using markdown-based systems ### 💡 Implications - Practice: Teams need standardized markdown conventions and shared organizational systems for effective knowledge sharing - Policy: Documentation policies should account for both capture methods and long-term knowledge management requirements - Education: Training programs should include information architecture and personal knowledge management skills alongside technical content - Funding: Investment in knowledge management tools and training can reduce onboarding time and improve institutional memory retention ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment Reading level estimate: 8-10th grade (technical terms defined in context) #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Screenshots of Obsidian interface, notebook examples, graph visualizations, plugin demonstrations - Improve: Workflow diagrams showing information flow from physical to digital systems, mind maps of organizational strategies #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Video format with clear narration and explanation of each feature and concept - Improve: Audio summary focusing on decision frameworks and organizational principles without visual dependency #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Clear definitions of markdown syntax, PARA methodology, and technical terminology with examples - Improve: Analogies comparing digital organization to physical filing systems, storytelling around workflow evolution #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: Step-by-step setup instructions, hands-on plugin installation, template creation exercises - Improve: Practice exercises for markdown syntax, organizational decision trees, migration checklists from existing systems #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Systematic progression from physical to digital, clear categorization of tools and methods, cause-effect relationships - Improve: Decision matrices for tool selection, ROI analysis for time investment in system setup, comparative feature analysis #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: Community recommendations, plugin sharing, theme collaboration mentions - Improve: Team adoption strategies, collaborative vault setup guides, knowledge sharing protocols for groups #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Self-directed setup process, personal customization options, individual workflow optimization - Improve: Self-assessment questionnaires for organizational needs, reflection prompts for system effectiveness evaluation #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners - Present: Organic growth of knowledge graphs, natural information connections, adaptive organizational systems - Improve: Information ecosystem analogies, sustainable knowledge management practices, long-term system evolution patterns ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Clear heading structure, descriptive video narration, logical content flow - Improve: Alt text for screenshots, heading-based navigation structure for written summaries, ARIA labels for interactive elements #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Obsidian supports full keyboard navigation with vim bindings option - Improve: Document keyboard shortcuts for common actions, skip links for long content sections #### Contrast and readability - Present: High contrast theme options available, customizable interface colors - Improve: Specific recommendations for high-contrast themes, font size adjustment guidance #### Text resizing and reflow - Present: Obsidian interface scales with system settings, responsive design principles - Improve: Guidance for optimal text sizing in different contexts, zoom compatibility testing #### Media and captions - Present: Video includes clear spoken narration of all actions and concepts - Improve: Closed captions for video content, transcript availability, audio descriptions of visual elements #### Forms and interactions - Present: Simple text-based input methods, clear feedback for actions - Improve: Error handling examples, validation messaging best practices ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: Universal organizational challenges addressed, cross-platform compatibility mentioned - Improve: Examples from different educational systems, international collaboration scenarios, multi-language support discussion #### Inclusive language - Present: Casual, approachable tone without excessive jargon, technical terms explained - Improve: Gender-neutral pronouns throughout, avoid assumptions about technical background levels #### Neurodiversity support - Present: Multiple organizational approaches accommodate different thinking styles, visual <!-- deep-read:sections end -->