My observations on Heptabase (used it for 1 year) vs Obsidian: For me there is 2 big major differences 1) Hepta doesn`t have any advanced querying (like Obsidian Dataview plugin) and metadata properties ; neither databases (like Obsidian DB folder plugin) 2) Really large mindmaps (>200 notes) in Hepta is getting glitchy in comparison with Obsidian Canvas
Thanks for your comments! (1) Correct, Heptabase doesn't have advanced querying, but in my own case I set up a number of somewhat elaborate Dataview queries only to find that I used them almost never. As for databases, Heptabase does have those now, in case you're not aware. Those get created by applying what Heptabase calls "tags," which are a wee bit like Tana's supertags. Basically, once you create a tag for something, you can turn that something into a Notion-like table. (2) Obsidian is VERY hard to beat when it comes to speed and non-glitchiness. I'm not sure I will have boards in Heptabase that have 200+ cards on them, but this is definitely something to be attentive too.
Was delighted to watch your latest video 😊. Your videos are always informative and engaging, and I find them incredibly useful. I'm already looking forward to your next video! Please keep up the great work. 🎉
This entire video is my jam at the moment. I have been struggling with researching tons of notetaking apps and finally decided begrudgingly to commit to obsidian with its steep (to me) learning curve. Also definitely caught my attention with PDF annotations better than logseq. Subscribed.
Thanks for your comments. After the PDF video focused on Heptabase (which I will have out this week, I’m pretty sure), I hope to post a short video showing why I think Heptabase’s way of dealing with PDF annotations is a bit better than Logseq’s.
I too was a user who forced myself to use Obsidian over the years, constantly reassuring myself, "Obsidian is good, no doubt." However, between losing track of information, misplacing related files, and of course, my own inexperience playing a part, I always felt it was futile to continue using it while meticulously considering the operation methods and plugin integrations. Since transitioning to Heptabase, all the 'pre-content issues' have been cleared. Your explanation is very clear and easy to grasp. I am looking forward to various reviews of Heptabase from different perspectives on your channel. 😊
I couldn’t agree more about the plug-ins-and that’s when they work! Then there are all those hours spent trying to figure out why one of them is not working as intended. No, thank you.
As you might be aware, Obsidian has plans to implement a better way of dealing with PDFs. Their roadmap indicates that they are "Currently waiting for native support in PDF.js." Full roadmap here: obsidian.md/roadmap/
Thanks, great video!!! I'm in the same situation regarding both tools. I recently started using Heptabase, and although I'm delighted, I don't want to completely leave Obsidian. My plan, at least for now, is to maintain my primary Obsidian vault as my second/digital brain. I'll continue taking daily notes and making connections using the Zettelkasten method, as I have been doing. I always thought that Obsidian posed a certain obstacle - now I understand that the obstacle was likely visual - to transition from making connections to starting to create. And this is where Heptabase shines. My plan is to move all my initial projects (the notes from Obsidian in markdown) to Heptabase. Heptabase's whiteboards will then be the place to articulate, delve deeper, relate, and distill subjects on which I want to create and finally publish. What is your plan for using both tools? I hope you feel better soon!
Thanks for your comments. At this time, I can't say I have an actual plan for how I plan on using both Heptabase and Obsidian. What you have described-moving certain projects into Heptabase so that you can "articulate, delve deeper, relate" etc.-sounds like a pretty good plan to me. I guess the only thing you might want to consider is whether you could do more or less the same thing using Obsidian's Canvas feature.
@@forrestrperry Finally, I have decided to go all in with Heptabase. Working simultaneously with both applications poses the risk of information loss or synchronization difficulties that do not seem logical for me to assume. In Heptabase, I am implementing an organization that takes my Obsidian MOCs to Whiteboards. Simultaneously, I am working on projects in sub-whiteboards. Everything is stored in Heptabase.
Really intrigued about Heptabase, but on the Android to me it is unbearable. I can add cards but I cannot assign them embedd them in whiteboards, I can only do this from the PC. Also cannot turn Journal text into cards from the Android. Hopefully they can work on this in the near future, but until then I cannot fully switch since I like to take notes and capture media from my phone as well.
At this point, there is no way I would use Heptabase if I were using it only or primarily on a mobile device. I can't stand using Obsidian on my iPhone or iPad either.
It’s been more than a year or two since I’ve used MarginNote 3, so I’m afraid I can’t provide you with an accurate comparison, but you could maybe think of Heptabase as an app that contains quite a few of MN3’s features plus a bunch of others, including tasks (not something I care about much), tables and kanban boards (those can be created using Heptabase’s “tags,” which are KIND of like Tana’s “supertags”), daily pages (the Journal feature), a somewhat rich array of styling options, and probably some other things I’m currently blanking on. The main problem I had with MN3 is that things felt cramped to me, like there was never quite enough screen space to hold in one view a bunch of things I wanted to see at once. I said that to another user of MN3 a couple of months ago and they said they disagreed. Maybe things would have felt less cramped if I had used the desktop version of MN3, not just the iPad version?
The main-though not the only-reason I left Roam for Obsidian is that I was obsessed for quite some time with finding an app that I wouldn't have to pay for. This led me to try (barely) to learn Emacs so that I could install Org-roam, but then Obsidian came onto the scene, so I went close to all-in with Obsidian for a while. More recently, I have decided I'm fine with paying for an app that I use almost every day and works the way I like it to work-so long as I can eventually export as markdown files the vast majority of the notes I make within it. Heptabase is such an app.
@@forrestrperry thanks for replying! I have been a heavy roam user myself for couple of years, it's powerful, it's innovative, but not user-friendly as haptabase. I think i will give i a try (and use your promo-code!)
I'm afraid I've no thoughts worth sharing about Tana. I've experimented with it a bit and return to it every once in a while, but I've never tried out their implementation of AI.
@@forrestrperry I see. Which do you use the most? I’ve settled on Heptabase. They have a reliable mobile app and the expansive canvas, tags, tasks and ease of use is just perfect lol. It puts other all in one mind map services to shame as well (Taskade). Also they’re adding Ai back to their system soon so it’s a no brainer. Notion and Heptabase for me 🤷♂️
I agree with this. I myself am getting tired of Obsidian and its lack of core features, and heavy reliance on community plugins. Once I finish my degree I’ll be leaving Obsidian because it just doesn’t meet my needs anymore. It’s too “janky/clunky” for me
Just ignore customization if it is a distraction. Not really a reason to tell people if a tool will work for them. However, if it doesn't do what you need, just say that first. Rather that it's strength is really a weakness. It's weakness is it weakness.
I don't THINK this counts as a sponsored video, but perhaps I'm wrong. RUclips says to check the "paid promotion" box if "you accepted anything of value from a third party to make your video, you must let us know." I received nothing for making the video. In addition, I clearly identified the link under the video as an AFFILIATE link, and in the video I disclosed that I recently joined Heptabase's affiliate program. It's possible that in the future I make money from this video, so does that mean the video contains a paid promotion?
Love your content!! Helped me really get into Heptabase. Thanks! Just a tip - blink, pause and look around more. It makes the fact that you're reading, either a prompter or script, notable when you stare without blinking or taking a breath while delivering your information. An issue I'm learning to fix on my channel, @daffdil. I zone out and it becomes super monotoned and surgical.
Your dry humor made me instantly subscribe. Never change!
My observations on Heptabase (used it for 1 year) vs Obsidian:
For me there is 2 big major differences
1) Hepta doesn`t have any advanced querying (like Obsidian Dataview plugin) and metadata properties ; neither databases (like Obsidian DB folder plugin)
2) Really large mindmaps (>200 notes) in Hepta is getting glitchy in comparison with Obsidian Canvas
Thanks for your comments!
(1) Correct, Heptabase doesn't have advanced querying, but in my own case I set up a number of somewhat elaborate Dataview queries only to find that I used them almost never. As for databases, Heptabase does have those now, in case you're not aware. Those get created by applying what Heptabase calls "tags," which are a wee bit like Tana's supertags. Basically, once you create a tag for something, you can turn that something into a Notion-like table.
(2) Obsidian is VERY hard to beat when it comes to speed and non-glitchiness. I'm not sure I will have boards in Heptabase that have 200+ cards on them, but this is definitely something to be attentive too.
Was delighted to watch your latest video 😊. Your videos are always informative and engaging, and I find them incredibly useful. I'm already looking forward to your next video! Please keep up the great work. 🎉
Thank you for your comment!
This entire video is my jam at the moment. I have been struggling with researching tons of notetaking apps and finally decided begrudgingly to commit to obsidian with its steep (to me) learning curve. Also definitely caught my attention with PDF annotations better than logseq. Subscribed.
Thanks for your comments. After the PDF video focused on Heptabase (which I will have out this week, I’m pretty sure), I hope to post a short video showing why I think Heptabase’s way of dealing with PDF annotations is a bit better than Logseq’s.
Same case, tried logsec first then try heptabase, pdf + map view is completly perfect for my weekly research!
I too was a user who forced myself to use Obsidian over the years, constantly reassuring myself, "Obsidian is good, no doubt."
However, between losing track of information, misplacing related files, and of course, my own inexperience playing a part, I always felt it was futile to continue using it while meticulously considering the operation methods and plugin integrations.
Since transitioning to Heptabase, all the 'pre-content issues' have been cleared.
Your explanation is very clear and easy to grasp. I am looking forward to various reviews of Heptabase from different perspectives on your channel. 😊
Very well put, and thank you for your comments.
Looking forward to anything more you have to say about using BOTH Heptabase and Obsidian.
glad to see you back FP. Entertaining and useful video, as always!
I couldn’t agree more about the plug-ins-and that’s when they work! Then there are all those hours spent trying to figure out why one of them is not working as intended. No, thank you.
Obsidian certainly needs a better system to deal with PDFs. It also needs some better appearance customisation... Need some deep colour coding etc.
As you might be aware, Obsidian has plans to implement a better way of dealing with PDFs. Their roadmap indicates that they are "Currently waiting for native support in PDF.js." Full roadmap here: obsidian.md/roadmap/
I need to be able to highlight my pdfs in Obsidian !
Thanks, great video!!! I'm in the same situation regarding both tools. I recently started using Heptabase, and although I'm delighted, I don't want to completely leave Obsidian. My plan, at least for now, is to maintain my primary Obsidian vault as my second/digital brain. I'll continue taking daily notes and making connections using the Zettelkasten method, as I have been doing. I always thought that Obsidian posed a certain obstacle - now I understand that the obstacle was likely visual - to transition from making connections to starting to create. And this is where Heptabase shines. My plan is to move all my initial projects (the notes from Obsidian in markdown) to Heptabase. Heptabase's whiteboards will then be the place to articulate, delve deeper, relate, and distill subjects on which I want to create and finally publish. What is your plan for using both tools? I hope you feel better soon!
Thanks for your comments. At this time, I can't say I have an actual plan for how I plan on using both Heptabase and Obsidian. What you have described-moving certain projects into Heptabase so that you can "articulate, delve deeper, relate" etc.-sounds like a pretty good plan to me. I guess the only thing you might want to consider is whether you could do more or less the same thing using Obsidian's Canvas feature.
@@forrestrperry Finally, I have decided to go all in with Heptabase. Working simultaneously with both applications poses the risk of information loss or synchronization difficulties that do not seem logical for me to assume. In Heptabase, I am implementing an organization that takes my Obsidian MOCs to Whiteboards. Simultaneously, I am working on projects in sub-whiteboards. Everything is stored in Heptabase.
@@forrestrperry hey there! have you finally managed to move completely to Heptabase?
First of all, congratulations on overcoming your illness. How do you compare Logseq and Heptabase?
Really intrigued about Heptabase, but on the Android to me it is unbearable. I can add cards but I cannot assign them embedd them in whiteboards, I can only do this from the PC. Also cannot turn Journal text into cards from the Android. Hopefully they can work on this in the near future, but until then I cannot fully switch since I like to take notes and capture media from my phone as well.
At this point, there is no way I would use Heptabase if I were using it only or primarily on a mobile device. I can't stand using Obsidian on my iPhone or iPad either.
I am using Margin Note3 already. Any advantage of MN3 over Heptabase?
It’s been more than a year or two since I’ve used MarginNote 3, so I’m afraid I can’t provide you with an accurate comparison, but you could maybe think of Heptabase as an app that contains quite a few of MN3’s features plus a bunch of others, including tasks (not something I care about much), tables and kanban boards (those can be created using Heptabase’s “tags,” which are KIND of like Tana’s “supertags”), daily pages (the Journal feature), a somewhat rich array of styling options, and probably some other things I’m currently blanking on.
The main problem I had with MN3 is that things felt cramped to me, like there was never quite enough screen space to hold in one view a bunch of things I wanted to see at once. I said that to another user of MN3 a couple of months ago and they said they disagreed. Maybe things would have felt less cramped if I had used the desktop version of MN3, not just the iPad version?
So, glad u beat those ailments n feeling urself again ... 👏👏
hi, FP, can you kindly share the story why you turned to obsidian from roam? kinda like prequel of this video. Thank you!
The main-though not the only-reason I left Roam for Obsidian is that I was obsessed for quite some time with finding an app that I wouldn't have to pay for. This led me to try (barely) to learn Emacs so that I could install Org-roam, but then Obsidian came onto the scene, so I went close to all-in with Obsidian for a while.
More recently, I have decided I'm fine with paying for an app that I use almost every day and works the way I like it to work-so long as I can eventually export as markdown files the vast majority of the notes I make within it. Heptabase is such an app.
@@forrestrperry thanks for replying! I have been a heavy roam user myself for couple of years, it's powerful, it's innovative, but not user-friendly as haptabase. I think i will give i a try (and use your promo-code!)
Thoughts on Tana? Especially with their Ai?
I'm afraid I've no thoughts worth sharing about Tana. I've experimented with it a bit and return to it every once in a while, but I've never tried out their implementation of AI.
@@forrestrperry I see. Which do you use the most? I’ve settled on Heptabase. They have a reliable mobile app and the expansive canvas, tags, tasks and ease of use is just perfect lol. It puts other all in one mind map services to shame as well (Taskade). Also they’re adding Ai back to their system soon so it’s a no brainer. Notion and Heptabase for me 🤷♂️
hey man, great video. keep doing it, you create good content
Thanks, will do!
I agree with this. I myself am getting tired of Obsidian and its lack of core features, and heavy reliance on community plugins. Once I finish my degree I’ll be leaving Obsidian because it just doesn’t meet my needs anymore. It’s too “janky/clunky” for me
i subscribed 👍
You forgot mentioning Heptabase has no free version, till next time.
Just ignore customization if it is a distraction. Not really a reason to tell people if a tool will work for them. However, if it doesn't do what you need, just say that first. Rather that it's strength is really a weakness. It's weakness is it weakness.
oh FFS
Posts affiliate link of the app on description box. Yup, looks like a sponsored video.
I don't THINK this counts as a sponsored video, but perhaps I'm wrong. RUclips says to check the "paid promotion" box if "you accepted anything of value from a third party to make your video, you must let us know." I received nothing for making the video. In addition, I clearly identified the link under the video as an AFFILIATE link, and in the video I disclosed that I recently joined Heptabase's affiliate program. It's possible that in the future I make money from this video, so does that mean the video contains a paid promotion?
Proprietary Shit solve Problems?)))) Solves some, creates others
Software as a "service" is unacceptable
Love your content!! Helped me really get into Heptabase. Thanks!
Just a tip - blink, pause and look around more. It makes the fact that you're reading, either a prompter or script, notable when you stare without blinking or taking a breath while delivering your information. An issue I'm learning to fix on my channel, @daffdil. I zone out and it becomes super monotoned and surgical.
I recite my scripts from memory! Just kidding. Thanks for the tip. I'll keep it in mind in the future. Thanks for your comments.
I actually kinda like the straight-face monotone delivery. Wes Anderson-esque!