Obsidian notes: How to get started with the Obsidian app

Obsidian is a versatile, free, and local-first note-taking application that has gained significant popularity since its public beta release in 2020. Designed by co-founder Erica Xu as a personal knowledge base tool, Obsidian allows users to create, manage, and link notes using basic features like a Markdown editor, powerful search capabilities, tagging, and bidirectional linking, which allows users to build interconnected "mini Wikipedias" of their notes. The app's flexibility extends to numerous customization options, including themes, plugins, and advanced features like Canvas, a digital whiteboard for visual thinkers, and Web Clipper, which integrates web content into the note system. Obsidian's approach to local storage ensures greater privacy, security, and future-proofing, as notes remain accessible even if the app's development ceases. While it has a reputation for being complex, the app caters to users who enjoy customizing their note-taking system and can connect to other apps through plugins or cloud storage services like Google Drive. Despite its potential complexity, Obsidian is highly adaptable to individual needs, allowing users to start small and organically develop their organizational approach as their note collection grows.