E-ink Devices and Obsidian: A Productivity Perspective
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Understanding E-Ink Devices and Obsidian
In this week's discussion, we delve into the intersection of E-ink technology and productivity, particularly focusing on running Obsidian on these devices. We’ll also explore a unique method for writing numbers, inspired by historical practices, and detail a side project involving a bilingual Bible PDF.
Here’s an intriguing method for compactly writing numbers from 1 to 9999, which I learned about from Clive Thompson. While its practical applications may be limited, it offers a fascinating way to save space in handwritten notes. Memorizing this system is quick, and for those who enjoy crafting, the Cypher of the Monk’s clock kit is an appealing project.
Additional Resources:
- How to Safely Write Private Notes in Public Places
- 5 Surprisingly Useful Writing Systems for Adults (and Adventurous Kids)
Evaluating the Value of E-Ink Devices
Emily Hokett had high expectations for the E-ink devices she tested, but ultimately found their performance lacking and the costs prohibitive.
From my perspective, the value of these devices hinges on your expectations. My last experience with an E-ink device was my first Kindle, and while I’m open to trying newer models if they improve in quality and pricing, my current iPad meets my needs well. I appreciate its ability to handle various media types without distractions.
The Boox is an Android-based device that supports Obsidian installation. However, users have reported that its performance can be sluggish. A Reddit discussion sheds light on various workflows involving the Boox and Obsidian. Additionally, Pixel Leaves has created an informative video on how she takes academic notes using her Supernote and transfers them to Obsidian.
This video titled "DesDevDiary - Obsidian Ink Bug Fixes" provides insights into optimizing your Obsidian experience on E-ink devices.
Adopting a Plain Text Approach
Jason's introduction resonates with me:
"I am not an Obsidian expert, productivity expert, or anything related to that. I just want to keep track of stuff in a way that makes sense to me."
In his article, Jason shares how he manages the synchronization and backup of his Obsidian vault, along with a selective use of plugins. He also includes a link to alternative Obsidian app icons for those looking to personalize their setup.
My journey with a plain text note-taking system has been rewarding. Nearly a month in, I'm increasingly pleased with the folderless structure I've adopted for organizing personal notes. Each day, I choose one or two unprocessed notes from my archives and reformat them according to a new atomic note template. I'm hopeful that these connections will cultivate a rich knowledge base over time.
A Bilingual Bible Project
As a side project, I'm working on a PDF version of the Bible that features English and French text side by side. Building on last year’s work, where I converted the King James Version into Markdown, I am now focused on creating a wide-margin PDF. This will include two columns per page: one for French and one for English. I'm currently awaiting copyright approval from Biblica for the NASB translation.
Subscribe to my Gumroad store for updates on the download availability.
So far, I have completed the initial stage, which includes the four gospels. I plan to import this into Noteful on my iPad and continue annotating in the margins as I study.
Upcoming Topics
- Organizing Browser Bookmarks in Plain Text
- Maintaining a Health Log in Obsidian (with Graphs)
The Plain Text, Paper-Less Productivity Digest investigates productivity through a sustainable, text-focused lens, while cherishing the essential role of paper. Previous episodes are available in my PTPL List and can be accessed freely on Substack.
For more insights on Obsidian, click here.
Download free productivity resources, including an Obsidian Planner demo vault, here.
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