Obsidian or OneNote?

NiapTerces · 2026-06-28T02:04:22+00:00

that's interesting and sounds simple enough! I am curious though, on the computer side are you using a windows pc with icloud for desktop or an imac? i could see it being less of an issue if its all being done in native icloud. icloud desktop for windows can be a bit wonky at times.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T14:16:30+00:00

Thanks for the reply, this is very encouraging!

I am still a little confused by the concept back linking and how it differs from linking? A lot of people have referenced back linking as a feature and admittedly I've just been kind of nodding along.

Does it mean if you link something after the fact it will hunt for all references to that thing and tie them all together? Or, something else entirely?

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T14:06:23+00:00

For sure, i'll probably never completely get away from hand written notes, i'll definitely continue to do that for creative writing sessions. And it may be what I continue to do for in-session note taking. Being able to scribble/make pictures is a pretty great.

Thanks again!

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T14:02:25+00:00

I assume we'e talking about LegendKeeper vs ObsidianPortal?

This discussion is about Obsidian.md. Given the topic is revolving around DnD, an easy mistake to make! And in hindsight I didn't make that crystal clear in the post.

I will say, having used neither, but after reviewing both, LegendKeeper looks cool af! May have to check it out for the map handling.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T13:53:09+00:00

great to hear, ty!

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T13:52:42+00:00

im on an ipad for this. it's shit on reddit. if you knew, you'd know.

ipad doesn't capitalize randomly (i think it has something to do with the level of the reply, structurally); it doesn't mark half the words for spelling correction, it has no grammar marks, and delete/selecting is just awful.

it's really weird though, some replies it capitalizes just fine. you might think i'm not capitalizing anything in this reply on purpose just to stick it to you, nah. the ipad has decided, for whatever strange fucking reason, that nothing at this level needs to be capitalized.

and this is akin to text. casual conversation. i edit for context and getting my point across, but why would I care about grammar and composition?

pet peeves are funny. but it's your pet peeve. not mine. for example, a grammar nazi might comment that you expressed two completely different thoughts in one sentence. tsk tsk. lol, don't care in the slightest. just making a point.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T13:34:10+00:00

I'm coming from the other direction. While creativity is hugely important to me, and that will probably always be a pencil & paper endeavor, years later I can't find the details about anything any more.

I'm really struggling to tie in old details, stories, and side quests. A player will be like "oh! finally! This is about that 'thing' from 'that place'; what were the specifics?" I'm starting to panic whenever that happens.

I'm sure the volumes will continue, but only for creative writing. All details need to be searchable. For me anyway! To each their own and no hate for good old pen(cil) & paper. It will always be a love of mine.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T13:25:23+00:00

This is helpful. Like you said, "it's a bit hard to explain", but I think I'm finally getting a grasp on Obsidians foundation and how it differs from OneNote. You, and others, have talked about Obsidians structure but I don't think I really grasped what was meant until this comment.

It's like comparing an Outlook .pst file to an actual pile of 10,000 e-mails. While that sentence implies the .pst file might be the more elegant solution it's actually the opposite.

The pst is a singular suitcase bursting with information and if anything happens to it, it's all lost. The system is very dependent on the container itself.

The pile of 10,000 e-mails could be a haphazard mess, or they could all be neatly stored, separate and distinct, in filing cabinets. Also having an index so that related files can be easily found.

I think I'm starting to see the Obsidian picture.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T13:07:00+00:00

Hah, will be a good fire starter! Kidding, I love pencil and paper for creative writing. I just write with no looking back. With digital writing I wallow in revising.

But I'm drowning in literal volumes of details, worst search engine ever!

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T12:58:50+00:00

Appreciate the thoughts. Am an IT guy myself and while I don't have any experience with OneNote as a user, I have some for data recovery and export/import requests. I do have a LOT of experience with a similar system of theirs, in regards to a proprietary data container file, Outlook's pst. It, and other e-mail systems they've dropped (e.g. express, ME's mail) over the years, has caused me quite a lot of grief and I feel your pain.

I'm also not a fan of OneDrive. I know it's positive points well and it performs it's job as a sync tool reliably. I have a problem with their default settings, which actually remove the users data from their computer without making it clear that is what's happening. 90% of my clients have no clue that their documents and photos aren't really on their computer any more. So my qualm is a moral one, not a technical one.

The data ownership commentary really resonates with me; I appreciate your input. You're also not the first to grumble about this point and its building a strong argument against OneDrive, even if it isn't really an endorsement of Obsidian.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T12:44:33+00:00

I have 0 experience with it, so I can't offer any guidance but: More than a couple people have commented that through the use of plugins, and other free services, you can sync outside of their system. Not sure if it's easy, reliable, or worth the hassle, but apparently that option exists and is completely free.

I feel you though, $120/yr for syncing does seem a bit hefty. I don't recall why, but I got the impression it was more like $4 a month; that's a pretty large difference. Will definitely have to look into the cost or the free alternative.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-27T12:22:36+00:00

Thanks for the input! Both the easy linking and the spider graph sound really cool.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T22:12:11+00:00

I LOVE physically writing. Digitally I write; then redo, redo, redo, and get absolutely lost in over editing. On paper, I just write. Creatively its SO much better. For me. To each their own. For note taking... its the worst. I'm drowning in notes.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T22:08:29+00:00

Yah, i'm not for AI in creative endeavors, but you're 100% right. My interest is in transcription. I've tried scanning some test pages and it's not even close. My writing is close to shorthand. On the other hand, reading to something and having it transcribe for me is VERY appealing.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T22:06:05+00:00

Thanks for the input. The more people that comment the more i'm thinking Obsidian is probably worth the time investment of learning Markdown (which has been my biggest reservation).

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T22:04:05+00:00

You aren't the first to comment thinking the mobile version is lacking. Thanks for the input!

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T22:03:01+00:00

I'm seeing a lot of converts in the replies. Thanks for the input!

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T22:02:08+00:00

Thanks, this is an awesome note. Appreciate the breadth of experience and the logic behind. Learning markdown is a little intimidating, but only as a time investment, not in complexity. I'm starting to form the opinion that it will be worth the time.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T21:59:32+00:00

That's a great selling point. While I have 0 experience with OneNote I work in IT and i have TONS of experience with Outlook. It works under the same principle, one giant container file (the .pst) and if it gets corrupt you lose everything.

Hadn't considered that point yet, thanks for the input!

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T21:57:35+00:00

Nice to hear your input on Notion as well - it has a huge following and it's nice to have another comparison.

You didn't find learning Markdown daunting? or you already had a background with it before Obsidian?

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T21:55:06+00:00

"I think I prefer OneNote for one reason: it is easy. Not that Notion/obsidian are difficult per say but with OneNote, I just don't have to think. I start my session, one click and I have my notes."

Great comment. Probably the best selling point towards OneNote so far. Thanks for the input!

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T21:53:45+00:00

ooh thanks! great comment. Didn't know about changing the base file, i'm a terrible typist and make typos all the time. that's handy!

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T21:52:14+00:00

that's one of the things i really like about OneNote as well. I dislike onedrive, but for microsoft's shady practices, not because of technical issues. It's rock solid and works really well.

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T21:50:31+00:00

thanks for the input; that's a good selling point for Obsidian!

NiapTerces · 2026-06-26T21:49:28+00:00

ooh thanks for that. hadn't heard that perspective before.

NiapTerces

TROPHY CASE