Chapter 1: The Complexity of Obsidian

Obsidian can seem overly complex for the everyday user, which may contribute to its status as a niche application. It's been a year since I began utilizing this remarkable tool for note-taking. I genuinely appreciate its functionality, and in some respects, I find it more advantageous than Notion.

One standout feature for me is the graph view, which visually represents all the connections I've established between my notes. As a student, this capability is invaluable, allowing me to interlink my thoughts effectively.

The graph view aids in organizing my ideas, as noted by Nick Milo. Over the past year, I've frequently relied on this feature. However, while Notion's popularity continues to rise, Obsidian hasn't experienced the same level of growth. I firmly believe that this is partly due to Obsidian's steep learning curve.

Take backlinks, for instance. The use of brackets is not something most users are accustomed to, raising questions about their necessity for such a critical feature. Obsidian isn't expanding as swiftly as Notion.

Another hurdle is that to customize text even slightly, users need to learn shortcuts, along with the basics of HTML or CSS. For instance, to increase the size of a heading, I need to employ HTML tags.

Obsidian can be quite challenging for newcomers, as pointed out by Nick Milo. Even when I attempt to tailor aspects of my notes, a foundational understanding of CSS is required. While it's true that Obsidian offers greater customization than Notion, this advantage comes at the cost of simplicity.

In contrast, Notion prioritizes user-friendliness, making it far more accessible. The learning curve associated with Obsidian is significantly steeper. How many users are familiar with the fundamentals of HTML or CSS? The answer is likely very few. Even creating a simple table can be a complex and time-consuming task compared to Notion!

Obsidian emphasizes customization, while Notion focuses on ease of use. It's clear that these two platforms target different audiences. Nevertheless, the disparity in popularity is evident: Obsidian is significantly less well-known than Notion.

I hope to see Obsidian flourish further; it has made strides, but I worry that its current approach may keep it confined within a niche segment of note-taking applications.

Chapter 2: Enhancing Your Obsidian Experience

To improve your experience with Obsidian, consider exploring various plugins and tools available within the community.

The first video, "Ultimate Guide: Top Obsidian Plugins (1-Hour Course)," provides a comprehensive overview of essential plugins that can enhance your workflow and make the most out of Obsidian's features.

Another valuable resource is the video titled "Building a USEFUL Habit Tracker in Obsidian," which demonstrates how to create a practical habit tracker using the app.

This video offers insights into effectively utilizing Obsidian for habit tracking, showcasing its versatile capabilities.