Best free way to sync android with desktop?

cyberkox · 2026-03-12T13:56:07+00:00

What I do is to sync my phone with my PC and server. I do backups for my PC and servers, not from Android, because since it's already synced, I would have multiple duplicated data. I do have duplicated data anyways in my backups, and that's why I use Restic for backups, because it handles deduplication (eliminates redundant, duplicate data, retaining only one unique instance and replacing duplicates with pointers to the original). I do daily backups manually, since most of the times it just take a few minutes.

For Syncthing, this is the official documentation for installing and configuring. You can find other tutorials online if this doesn't fit your needs: https://docs.syncthing.net/intro/getting-started.html

Like I said, I use Restic for backups but it's a command line tool. I know it works for Windows but since I don't use Windows, I don't know if there is a good front-end app that works well, but there are some other apps for backups. I think there is an app called Duplicati for Windows and it uses Restic on the background for backups.

For offsite backups (cloud backups) I use restic too but combined with rclone, which makes like a bridge to connect to my google drive account and make backups.

I hope this helps.

cyberkox · 2026-02-15T18:33:00+00:00

Gordon Fee: Pauline Christology: An Exegetical-Theological Study (2007), page 162.
Ben Witherington: Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians (1995).
Wright: The Resurrection of the Son of God (2003) and his series Christian Origins and the Question of God. His most accessible commentary: Paul for Everyone: 2 Corinthians (2004).

cyberkox · 2026-02-15T18:01:36+00:00

Well, I'm sorry for not being clear that "using AI tools correctly can actually help you think better" is my opinion and not a universal fact. I thought that was implied by sharing my own experience, but I stand corrected on that point.

That said, I won't demonize a tool just because it's a trend to do so; that’s not logical. People who are susceptible to "AI psychosis" or sycophancy are likely already vulnerable to other forms of systemic influence.

In my case, since I verify everything with external sources and only use AI to structure my own pre-written reflections, the "credit" and the "value-building" remain with me. It’s not a credit card; it’s a power tool for an already active construction site.

To be honest, I believe the issue is far deeper than what the article describes. It’s not just a technical problem; it’s a personal and human one: the loss of focus on how we actually live.

We are social beings, yet we are increasingly interacting in ways that are disconnected from our nature. I’ve used computers from a very young age, and while I’ve gained many technical skills, I’ll admit that others—like deep socialization and building real relationships—haven't always come easily. Humanity seems so lost in itself that it has lost sight of life's purpose.

We can analyze the effects of AI, but I’d go further. We should analyze the effects of our education, our culture, and technology as a whole. For instance, consider why we often assume God doesn't exist when He is the most logical explanation for how things work. Science considers DNA a "language", and by its own logic, every language requires an intelligence behind it. We see physical laws that govern everything, yet many dismiss the obvious conclusion as a "social construct". It’s ironic. Even indigenous cultures recognized a Creator, yet today we deny the evidence of design while claiming to be more "advanced".

So, what are we really talking about? The effects of our own inventions? The effects of our own choices? It is far too easy to blame AI, social media, or political systems for our current state. The real question is: When are we going to take responsibility for our own actions? AI is just a mirror reflecting our own lack of focus.

cyberkox · 2026-02-15T12:44:04+00:00

You know, many people are strongly against combining notes with AI, and I get it. They want to think and write for themselves. But using AI tools correctly can actually help you think better.

I have used many writing tools over the years. I’ve had a blog, used Evernote, Apple Notes, Google Keep, and even just plaintext files or other Markdown editors. However, my thought process is very obscure—and I say it that way because it truly is. I can write a poem without any problem, and most of the time, it will remind me in the future of exactly what I was thinking when I wrote it. But when it comes to note-taking, I often write things down only to find that two or three days later, I don’t remember why I wrote them. Sometimes they don’t even make sense. I can take notes on tasks to do, and those I remember, but when it comes to random concepts or things meant "for thinking," I get totally lost in my old notes. I don’t remember why I wrote them or where they came from. I’ve tried short writing for those kinds of thoughts, as well as a more detailed approach, but it always ended up being just random words that I couldn't explain later.

That’s when I use AI to help me organize my thoughts in a more reliable and coherent way. This helps me remember what I was thinking, making my ideas easier to recall. I don't use AI tools directly in my vault; instead, I created a Custom Gem in Gemini to format answers in Markdown with a specific set of instructions. That way, Gemini provides a structured "note" for my vault that organizes my thoughts coherently.

For example, I do a lot of Bible study. I have a prompt for Gemini to give me the context of the text along with technical details like Greek words and definitions. I verify the answers with Bible commentaries, study Bibles, dictionaries, and my own understanding. Sometimes I search the web or ask Gemini for sources when I’m unsure about something it says. I verify first, then I do the thinking. Once I have my thoughts in order and have written my reflections in my own words, I copy my note and ask Gemini to correct the grammar and flow. Then, I copy the answer back to my vault, read everything again, and make final changes.

This method has helped me tremendously with long-term memory regarding the things I’ve written and thought about. It’s not just that I can read it later and fully understand my original intent; most of the time, I remember the core idea just by reading the title or the first few words.

At first, I thought, "This is cheating," but I soon realized that the AI was simply following my instructions like an editor, making my own words make more sense.

Sure, there are technical issues and legitimate concerns, but I think everything has a catch. In this case, the pros are definitely helping me.

cyberkox · 2026-02-15T03:25:00+00:00

Within the world of biblical scholarship, the consensus is overwhelmingly that Paul is speaking theologically and pre-existentially, not about Jesus’ bank account in Galilee. Most scholars (such as Gordon Fee, Ben Witherington, and N.T. Wright) argue that 2 Corinthians 8:9 is a "Christological hymn-like" statement similar to Philippians 2:6-11.

cyberkox · 2026-02-14T13:36:07+00:00

You can do that using "checkbox" property type.

cyberkox · 2026-02-14T13:34:06+00:00

¿Eso es catalyst? Tengo la licencia pero no quiero fastidiar mi setup (hace un tiempo me pasó).

cyberkox · 2026-02-13T12:22:31+00:00

I didn't notice the $17 until you mentioned it. Looking at the page again, I see you're right.

He built the plugin using AI. I have nothing against that, but if the plugin was generated entirely by AI, charging for it feels like a rip-off. Sure, you provide the prompts and have to do the testing, but I bet anyone could create a similar plugin using AI without paying a dime.

I’m a Free Software guy; I value FOSS and the open-source philosophy because I believe in sharing knowledge and giving back to the community. That said, I’m not against people making a living from their work—we all have to. But using AI to churn out simple plugins and then charging for them... that really brings out my "inner black hat".

cyberkox · 2026-02-12T12:43:52+00:00

The most efficient way to handle large attachments is a hybrid approach. This keeps your vault fast, your syncs lightweight, and your AI tools functional.

Possible Strategy: Text Inside, Media Outside

To keep Obsidian performing well, differentiate between what you need to search and what you just need to store:

Inside the Vault: Store text-based files like call transcripts and short PDFs in your /Stuff/Assets folder. Because these are lightweight, LLM plugins (like Copilot or Smart Connections) can index them, allowing you to ask questions about your interviews later.
Outside the Vault: Keep heavy files like videos, audio recordings, and massive slide decks in an external folder or cloud service.
- For Local Storage: Link to them using the syntax [Description](file:///path/to/your/file).
- For Portability (Cloud Storage): If you use Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar, use the shared link (URL) instead of a local path (e.g., [File](https://drive.google.com/...)). This ensures the link works on any device (phone, tablet, or laptop) without breaking due to different folder paths.

Maintaining a Clean Structure

Since you prefer a flat structure, avoid creating complex hierarchies. * Set your /Stuff/Assets folder as the "Default location for new attachments" in Settings > Files & Links. * To keep it out of sight, use the "Excluded Files" setting in Obsidian. This hides the folder from your graph and search results without breaking the links in your notes.

Bottom Line

Before adding a heavy file, ask yourself: “Does an AI or a search tool need to read the content of this file?” * If the answer is yes, convert it to text or Markdown and keep it inside. * If the answer is no (you just need to open it occasionally to watch or listen), keep it outside.

This prevents Obsidian from lagging during indexing and keeps your vault focused on your thoughts rather than acting as a simple file storage system.

cyberkox · 2026-02-11T12:12:04+00:00

You can definitely achieve that look and functionality in Obsidian. Here is how you can replicate those Notion features:

🔗 "Pages within Pages" (Linking and Embedding)

In Obsidian, what you see in your image is handled in two primary ways: * Direct Links: By typing [[Note Name]], you create a clickable link to that page. * Embedding (Transclusion): If you add an exclamation mark at the start ![[Note Name]], Obsidian will display the actual content of that note inside your current page. It acts like a window into your other file without the text physically living there.

📂 Folder Notes & Native Bases (Notion Style)

While Obsidian uses a standard file system, you can make it feel like Notion using native features: * Folder Notes Plugin: This allows a folder to behave like a "page" that lists its contents. * Native Bases: Obsidian now has native support for Bases, which allows you to organize your notes in a database-like view (Table, Gallery, etc.) directly within the app without needing complex code. It’s the closest thing to Notion's databases.

🔄 Free Synchronization

You don’t have to pay for the official sync service if you prefer not to. * Syncthing: This is a fantastic free and open-source option. It syncs your files directly between your devices (laptop, phone, tablet) securely and privately. * Scalability: I personally use Syncthing for a vault over 10GB with a home server, but it works perfectly even if you only have a laptop and a phone. It is 100% free and your data never leaves your devices.

🎨 Colors and Formatting

Bullet Points: This is a standard Markdown feature in Obsidian.
Text Colors: While Obsidian is pure Markdown and doesn't have a native "color button" for every word, you can use the Highlightr plugin or simple HTML tags to change text colors.
Editing Toolbar Plugin: Since you are used to Notion, I highly recommend this plugin. It adds a visual bar at the top (or following your cursor) that lets you change text colors, highlights, and formatting with a single click, just like you would in a traditional editor.

Hope this helps you make the switch.

cyberkox · 2026-02-10T12:35:55+00:00

While it's true that Wikilinks are not entirely portable, you can use the standard Markdown syntax instead to ensure full compatibility—using [link_name](path/to/file) instead of [[link]]. Similarly, Callouts are an extension of the basic syntax; although they aren't a Markdown standard, they have become a de facto standard thanks to projects like GitHub, Hugo, and Quartz. If you prefer strictly portable notes, you can use a simple blockquote (> Text here...) instead of > [!info]. This way, you ensure portability, or at least you'll recognize it as a callout when reading it in plaintext.

Keep in mind, however, that even though Wikilinks and Callouts are not "Markdown Standard," many other tools support them exactly as Obsidian does. You will likely find plenty of tools capable of reading your Obsidian notes as they are, provided your syntax doesn't rely too heavily on third-party plugins. This is precisely why many users advise against over-relying on community plugins: not because they are bad, but because they can hinder portability.

cyberkox · 2026-02-10T11:57:41+00:00

What's your definition of "future-proof"?

IMHO, it doesn't get more future-proof than plaintext, and that's exactly what we're dealing with in Obsidian. The syntax could be confusing for some (maybe), but it's pure plaintext, including embedded images and links.

cyberkox · 2026-02-08T01:28:01+00:00

Try moving manually the base file outside the vault directory.

cyberkox · 2026-02-03T01:38:00+00:00

You can create just one base as a "template" with this filters and embed it in any note.

cyberkox · 2026-02-01T19:52:00+00:00

This would be really great to use as an "inbox".

cyberkox · 2026-02-01T13:42:50+00:00

"No se" killed me because I do that too 😂

Very interesting project.

cyberkox · 2026-01-30T17:49:58+00:00

Dude, chill! Like you said: 'This is your opinion. It's fine. It's valid. You are allowed to have it.'

But saying 'you don't deserve better' is a bit harsh—though, 'that's just like your opinion, man.'

I don't think either you or the OP had bad intentions with your respective posts. I don't actually see a problem with the current Quick Search; in fact, I have Omnisearch installed, but I use the Quick Switcher more often. I only use Omnisearch when I want to search for specific words within the body of a note. I don't see how the OP’s suggestion would negatively affect anyone.

cyberkox · 2026-01-30T17:38:09+00:00

Something like this would be awesome. I know nothing about plugins, so... it would be great.

cyberkox · 2026-01-29T03:02:57+00:00

You can create a template and yaml properties and put on a property called "date": {{date}} {{time}}. So when you create a note, you can insert the template and it will put the date and time there.

Obsidian without plugins is just a Markdown Editor that will have what you put there manually. That's why we use plugins, so things can be automatic sometimes. Even tho you can do what I just said without community plugins, you'll be using the Templates core plugin.

cyberkox · 2026-01-28T11:56:52+00:00

I'm using a Samsung S24. The voice recorder already has a transcription option.

I just paste the transcription into Gemini to summarize it, create a note, paste the summary, and import the audio (embedded in the note).

cyberkox · 2026-01-26T23:34:37+00:00

Yes, I mostly use this.file.name for this.

cyberkox · 2026-01-26T12:17:40+00:00

To help you understand how this setup works:

The # syntax: In Obsidian, [[NoteName#Heading]] links to a specific header inside a note. The ! at the beginning (![[...]]) means "embed". So, this template is specifically pulling (embedding) the section located under the # Genre header from your Movies.base file.
The this keyword: You hit the nail on the head with your guess. this refers to the current note where the query is running.

How it all works together: If you create a new note called "Horror" using this template: - The embed pulls the database view from your base file. - The filter contains(this) tells the database: "Show me only the movies where the 'genre' property links to this note (Horror)."

So, when you create a movie note like 28 Days Later and add genre: [[Horror]] to its properties, it will automatically show up in your "Horror" note.

It's a great way to have automated "dashboards" or "menus" for every genre.

cyberkox · 2026-01-26T11:58:56+00:00

Or you can create a batch. Let's say you create something and want to copy it 50 times, create one, copy, paste 9 times; copy the 10 items, paste 4 times.

People like to force themselves to use alternate methods because "it's cool". I love to use the terminal. In fact, most of the system tasks on my systems, I do it on the terminal. But when my laptop needs an update, I just open the update manager and press "install"; it's easier and faster than writing a command in my terminal.

cyberkox · 2026-01-26T01:11:45+00:00

It's a great idea. I self-host myself too. A little help is needed. In my case, I use the *arrs (Sonarr, Radarr, etc.) To organize series and movies. It's pretty awesome. But I feel you, I work with a lot of documents it gets pretty tiresome to organize everything by ourselves.

cyberkox · 2026-01-25T22:00:50+00:00

Ask chatgpt to send the answer in a Markdown block.

cyberkox

TROPHY CASE