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Oh, You’re Leaving Obsidian? Don’t Forget Insurance in Your New App

See the pitfalls, avoid the pitfalls, then go have fun

PTPL text-based image by the author

Another “I’ve left Obsidian” article crossed my desk this week. The author is a developer whose files became corrupted, leading to the loss of valuable data. I feel for them! But I can’t help thinking the situation was preventable.

The article in question is well written, engaging, and a good lesson in digital hygiene no matter which app you choose as your home base.

What not to do:

• Rely on plugins to the extent that your notes can’t function without them
• Place the only copy of important notes into a system polluted by dubious plugins
• Think you don’t need version control (because you’re not a startup, or for any other reason)

I take no issue with the author’s decision to move to Joplin. It sounds like a good fit for their needs. Once there I sincerely hope they will do the opposite of the list above:

• Make sure that any features of the app they come to rely on could be replicated outside of the app within an hour or so
• Keep backups of their most important data…