The Ultimate Notes App Exit Strategy: Simplifying Your Backup Process
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Chapter 1: Embracing Simplicity in Note-Taking
In an age where organization is paramount, we often overlook the importance of effective note-taking strategies. While I can't say for certain if Catherine Tate utilizes note-taking applications, one thing is clear: if her Posh Mum character were to use one, she would likely depend on features that she couldn't even begin to manage or replicate elsewhere.
For a good laugh, check out her exaggerated antics, like how the mere thought of running out of extra virgin olive oil sends her into a frenzy. It’s a stark reminder of how far removed we might be from her elite lifestyle—yet, are we really that different?
As we shift our focus back to note-taking apps, let's simplify our approach by categorizing them into three main types.
Section 1.1: Categorizing Your Note-Taking Apps
In my perspective, there are three primary classifications of interactive applications, each serving a unique purpose for the information we store within them.
Subsection 1.1.1: Vital Apps
Vital apps are essential tools that we rely on for our daily tasks. Losing access to these applications would result in significant personal or professional setbacks. My go-to vital apps include:
- Affinity Designer
- Affinity Publisher
- 1Password
Subsection 1.1.2: Useful Apps
Useful apps serve as tools for data manipulation and extraction. They assist in processing information rather than merely storing it. Some of my favorites include:
- Calendar 366
- Numbers
- Obsidian
- iA Writer
- PDF Expert
- forScore
Additionally, I have a collection of utilities such as Keyboard Maestro, VS Code, PhotoBulk, Shottr, and Rectangle.
Subsection 1.1.3: Play Apps
Play apps are designed for leisure and entertainment, focusing on consuming content rather than storing it. My preferred play apps are:
- Deezer
- Tweetbot
- Teachable
Section 1.2: The Importance of Backups
While I may find joy in plain text productivity, I understand that not everyone shares this enthusiasm. Many individuals seem comfortable keeping their thoughts locked away in applications that they don’t fully control. If you relate to this, here’s some advice:
Make it a habit to routinely export your work and securely store it. If you engage with your notes app daily, consider a daily export as the best practice.
What if, like the industrious ant, you prepare for a winter that never arrives? It’s better to have a full supply and not need it than to be left in a bind like the carefree grasshopper. If your app offers an auto-export feature, enable it immediately.
No auto-export option? Create one manually, or set reminders to ensure it gets done. Be proactive about your future needs, and document your process as a personal standard operating procedure.
I recently stumbled upon discussions on the Mem Roadmap, where users expressed hesitance about moving their data without reliable export options. Clearly, I’m not the only one concerned about data portability.
Once you’ve established a habit of exporting your data, I recommend maintaining multiple backups. For example, my Obsidian vault is stored both on my hard drive and in iCloud. Additionally, I use the Aut-O-Backups plugin for incremental backups to Dropbox, and my entire hard drive is secured with BackBlaze.
Chapter 2: Reflecting on My Journey with Notes Apps
Having spent years experimenting with proprietary applications like Notion, Evernote, and Roam, I’ve transitioned to simpler, plain-text alternatives such as Simplenote, Obsidian, and iA Writer. Each app has its own merits and drawbacks.
When Obsidian encounters glitches on my iPhone, my notes remain accessible and functional in iA Writer. I can also view them through the Dropbox app and within iCloud's Files.
While I currently thrive in Obsidian and have no intention of switching, I know that if it were to vanish tomorrow, I would still be okay. More importantly, all my thousands of Markdown notes would remain intact.
What about you? Would you be able to recover if your notes app suddenly disappeared, or would it feel like losing a piece of your mind? Don’t emulate Posh Mum—take charge of your data and simplify your processes.
iA Writer: Aiding My Simplified Note-Taking Experience
Why adopting an app-agnostic approach may prove beneficial in the long run.
For more insights on my experiences with Obsidian, check here. You can also download my free Obsidian Planner demo vault.