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For years I’ve been pouring through all the apps/platforms like this, but after being burned too many times I am (incredibly) reluctant to tie my second brain t

For years I’ve been pouring through all the apps/platforms like this, but after being burned too many times I am (incredibly) reluctant to tie my second brain to a box that will lock itself unless I pay. Even if it’s just an interface, it’s too disruptive when my whole workflow is upended by a service getting bought/shutting down/“upgrading” to break old features/increases fees. I see a “free trial”. That plus the landing page not mentioning open source, a permanent license, or common/interchangeable formats bounced me immediately, despite what I’m sure are some great capabilities that folks put a lot of time and work into. Maybe I’m missing something? Is that kind of app not sustainable so we don’t see them, or do I just not know where to look?

maccaw 3y ago
I totally agree. In fact, that's the entire reason we didn't raise venture capital, because that would have forced an 'exit' (which typically means an acquihire/getting shut down). I'm sick of seeing otherwise good businesses ruined because they raised VC without a good reason to. Our goals are modest, we're just trying to create a sustainable business. We're currently half-way towards profitability, and are on track to be profitable by the end of the year. Regarding export formats, you can always export your notes into markdown or HTML so you shouldn't feel too locked in.
- Xeoncross 3y ago
  That's great to hear, but if someone offers you a substantial chunk of change I'd hate to get proficient at software that will stop working in 60 days. On-boarding to new tools has a cost.
davidg109 3y ago
Agreed. And tired of them being hacked into, deciding to change their pricing model, retiring the product, etc. no replacement for good old note taking and using your noggin’.
r2b2 3y ago
I also felt this way (jumping from tool to tool) until I found Obsidian, which is just sugar on top of markdown files and normal folders: https://obsidian.md https://obsidian.md
- crowbahr 3y ago
  Another vote for Obsidian. I pay for the app even though I don't have to. Great piece of tech. I really like using it.
  - grantc 3y ago
    Same. Although paying for Sync makes mobile workable. But the combo of the base too, available plugins, and a large, active community combine to be among the best of the various capture tools out there.
- yellow_postit 3y ago
  I’ve really enjoyed Logseq and found the structure to better match how I think and structure notes. That it has a less rabid community and plug-ins than Obsidian is also a plus imo. Has been great seeing so much iteration in this space. https://logseq.com/ https://logseq.com/
  - stoicjumbotron 3y ago
    The only missing feature imo is the availability of plugins on the mobile app
    - moritz 3y ago
      Or native Apps without 200 GB chrome browser bloat.
  - plagiarist 3y ago
    That's the tool I am trying out now. Have you found anything neat that you really like about it? I chose it for the backlinks and because it is not trying to lock me in to a vendor.
sroussey 3y ago
And what if I put all your data in a SQLite file the app uses, which you could theoretically, just use yourself?
ninopiamonte 3y ago
I found Twos to be a great tool for capturing and remembering things. It's fast, free, and available on most platforms. I love that they listen and prioritize user feedbacks (!!). Also, the development is very much active. If you wanna know more, it's https://www.TwosApp.com?code=nino/ https://www.TwosApp.com?code=nino/ Happy Twosday! :)
j45 3y ago
Logseq seems like the way to go at the moment for not putting your eggs in someone else's basket. Reflect looks pretty nice, the convenience of a turnkey solution is attractive, and so is clearing a security audit, however, a licensed self-host solution might be appealing if open-sourcing isn't on the horizon.

maccaw 3y ago

I totally agree. In fact, that's the entire reason we didn't raise venture capital, because that would have forced an 'exit' (which typically means an acquihire/getting shut down). I'm sick of seeing otherwise good businesses ruined because they raised VC without a good reason to. Our goals are modest, we're just trying to create a sustainable business. We're currently half-way towards profitability, and are on track to be profitable by the end of the year. Regarding export formats, you can always export your notes into markdown or HTML so you shouldn't feel too locked in.

Xeoncross 3y ago
That's great to hear, but if someone offers you a substantial chunk of change I'd hate to get proficient at software that will stop working in 60 days. On-boarding to new tools has a cost.

davidg109 3y ago

Agreed. And tired of them being hacked into, deciding to change their pricing model, retiring the product, etc. no replacement for good old note taking and using your noggin’.

r2b2 3y ago

I also felt this way (jumping from tool to tool) until I found Obsidian, which is just sugar on top of markdown files and normal folders: https://obsidian.md https://obsidian.md

crowbahr 3y ago
Another vote for Obsidian. I pay for the app even though I don't have to. Great piece of tech. I really like using it.
- grantc 3y ago
  Same. Although paying for Sync makes mobile workable. But the combo of the base too, available plugins, and a large, active community combine to be among the best of the various capture tools out there.
yellow_postit 3y ago
I’ve really enjoyed Logseq and found the structure to better match how I think and structure notes. That it has a less rabid community and plug-ins than Obsidian is also a plus imo. Has been great seeing so much iteration in this space. https://logseq.com/ https://logseq.com/
- stoicjumbotron 3y ago
  The only missing feature imo is the availability of plugins on the mobile app
  - moritz 3y ago
    Or native Apps without 200 GB chrome browser bloat.
- plagiarist 3y ago
  That's the tool I am trying out now. Have you found anything neat that you really like about it? I chose it for the backlinks and because it is not trying to lock me in to a vendor.

sroussey 3y ago

And what if I put all your data in a SQLite file the app uses, which you could theoretically, just use yourself?

ninopiamonte 3y ago

I found Twos to be a great tool for capturing and remembering things. It's fast, free, and available on most platforms. I love that they listen and prioritize user feedbacks (!!). Also, the development is very much active. If you wanna know more, it's https://www.TwosApp.com?code=nino/ https://www.TwosApp.com?code=nino/ Happy Twosday! :)

j45 3y ago

Logseq seems like the way to go at the moment for not putting your eggs in someone else's basket. Reflect looks pretty nice, the convenience of a turnkey solution is attractive, and so is clearing a security audit, however, a licensed self-host solution might be appealing if open-sourcing isn't on the horizon.