Currently I’m using Joplin with Syncthing-backed file system synchronization. I’m pretty pleased with it, as I do like tagging- and Markdown-based systems.
I plan to upgrade to server-based synchronization, but before doing that, however, I wanted to see what other people are using.
Edit: So far I see a slight favor towards Joplin and Logseq, but I totally didn’t expect (and appreciate) getting so many different answers.
For long-term, permanent notes, I’m using Obsidian with Nextcloud and FolderSync Pro (which I also use for backing up some Android stuff to my Nextcloud).
For quick, easy notes while on the go (or that I need quick access to while out and about), I use Memos, which is more of a Google Keep replacement.
I personally like Nextcloud notes for quick notes and nextcloud collectives for detailed stuff e.g revision. With nextcloud tables and deck it makes a great notion replacement
I find Joplin perfect for my needs. Markdown, embedding images, links etc. I sync to my selfhosted nextcloud.
I like tags, I would like them to add a “directory tree” type of view to help sort “folders” (the thing they call “notebooks”) but only because I am more used to just filesystem type structured filing. But the notebooks and tagging idea works for me too.
I strictly use it for notes/note keeping, in particular “HOWTO’s” and specific topic notes. So I dont even do a great deal of markdown in my notes, but I love the ability to add screen captures etc to them for clarity.
And being on nextcloud, I can access those notes anywhere on any device, PC, Android, Raspberry Pi!! Joplin has an app for all of them
I am currently on Obsidian without any sync at all. Using this in both desktop and mobile.
But used it more in mobile for an offline note-taking app where I could write and read them without any internet connection. Especially to load images from local, make categorization (folders) and more with data I had in my mobile.
While for desktop, I rarely opened it anymore. I am more into VIM with markdown format and then just push it to git host for a quicker note taking.
I’ve been using Trilium Notes for the better part of two years and love it. I have used Obsidian and similar markdown apps, and I find it frustrating to add images due to the need to store them in a separate folder and reference them instead of just pasting them into the page and being done with it. To me, that’s a barrier for notes when I’m trying to brainstorm. I really do like markdown, but it doesn’t work with my though process.
I have a sync server setup at home (with no outside access) and do my main writing inside my network. For notes on the go I use the Notes app on my iphone (its quick and easy) and then drop the notes into Trilium when I get home.
Ghostwriter and syncthing. Ghostwriter really has a good focus mode that really gets me in the right spot for writing. I use Markor if I am on Android and syncthing still works there as well.
Yeah, I know this is the self hosted community, but nothing is as easy and straightforward as OneNote. I keep coming back to it after trying self hosted solutions.
What do you use it for? If you don’t mind me asking. I tried a few times to like it before I started my selfhost/open source journey earlier this year and couldn’t click with it. But curious what it does that you haven’t found an alternative for.
I use it for a mix of text, handwriting/drawing, PDF annotation and image annotation, and I also pretty heavily rely on realtime sync between my devices. If none of that is stuff you use then I can see why you might want something simpler
Yeah, handwriting can be added to Obsidian, but it’s a bit hacky and I don’t use it. As far as instant sync, it is solid, but expensive. Some folks use Syncthing but I couldn’t get it to work reliably so I but the bullet and paid for Obsidian Sync.
Not the same person but a couple of the reasons I can’t get away from it are:
-ability to “print” a pdf in to it and directly markup the pages without having to open the actual file in another application (it also runs OCR on the pages so they remain searchable)
-you can also “print” PowerPoint presentations in a similar way
-it handles inking with a pen super well
I have lots of academic papers and presentations that I routinely reference for my job so these are killer features for me
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