Let me explain which note-taking apps I've been using and what I might use in the future.
I started with the commonly used Evernote. Over time, I felt its speed and efficiency didn't meet my needs, prompting a switch. The first app I considered was Notion. Being an early adopter, I bought a membership for over 10 years. Notion's database capabilities are impressive. However, when I needed deeper planning, I turned to XMind—a mind mapping tool I've used for nearly a decade that has significantly benefitted my work and life. I've always sought a tool that combined mind mapping with note-taking. When I came across Heptabase, I immediately gave it a try. Though there are minor issues, the experience is excellent. I particularly resonate with some of Alan's philosophies. After moving away from Notion, Heptabase became my primary note-taking app.
Meanwhile, I also tried Obsidian. Its functions were overly complex. Despite being the fastest of all note apps I've tried, I eventually abandoned it.
I've also used the SiYuan note app—a remarkable piece of software. The developer's integration skills are simply outstanding.
Later, as my work became less complex but required more logging, I sought a quick note-taking tool with efficient block search capabilities. While I still use Heptabase (though less frequently due to its lackluster to-do management), I found Logseq to meet my needs. Its query function is robust, allowing for swift syncing of past notes into new ones, significantly reducing workload.
However, it's essential to understand that any unorganized notes will become a mess over time. Many initially believed that bidirectional linking in notes would reduce organizational effort—an unrealistic expectation. Consequently, I returned to Heptabase. Encouragingly, their updated mind map feature is a fantastic aid in organizing thoughts, and their updated tags function similarly to Notion's.
What's most impressive is their deep understanding of tags. Such a product can only come from profound contemplation of the ultimate form of note-taking. A common challenge users face is the excessive number of tags, making organization difficult. Heptabase integrates tags with its database, addressing its to-do management shortcoming and optimizing tag utilization. Organizing tags allows for deeper project labeling, reminiscent of my experience with Aeon Timeline. Essentially, it means customizing your database deeply while reusing database tags and quickly accessing all your databases—a feat Notion falls short on.
Heptabase's underlying philosophy is that one must organize their notes, offering a clear method through tag marking and optimization.
This approach is innovative; I'd even call it genius. But I hope Alan remains humble and continues his hard work.
Although a couple of friends I introduced to Heptabase didn't renew their subscriptions, I'll continue to support it. Keep it up!
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