This is really helpful! Would you mind providing some examples of Types that you’d use for Tags? Thanks!
My system exactly. I have found that this is the most streamlined way to archive and retrieve notes. Especially if the tags are kept to a minimum, say one or two per note.
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sure, some typical types of notes could involve:
- idea notes (atomic notes)
- source/input/literature notes (notes you take on a piece of media like a book or a lecture), this can then be specialised further to clarify different types of input
- projet notes
- “humans” notes, this is where i collect info on people, organisations of any kind, countries, cities, etc.
- etc
you get the idea
vault structure:
I’m preparing a ttrpg campaign and I’m using Obsidian (as a newbie, some VERY Minor coding experience) as a the knowledge base for hopefully the whole store of resources, to this end there are many ties between each resource which differ in their flavour. to this end, the structure I’m using incorporates the folders too as a typical file management style. People, places, quests etc will be stored as individual notes in these obviously with unique file names, and then the TAGS and LINKS are being implemented in (currently) their most basic form. I’m using both the LINKS and TAGS features to make paths through the individual notes, essentially like a URL on a webpage, where the IDEA aspect of the Tag allows for a list of other mentions to be shown to see where else it appears, but using the LINKS as ways to connect definite articles which send me to an ‘index’ type note which are themselves an offshoot of the file management structure, but which - instead of just a file-name - allow me to throw on a description blurb for each note I’ve created and Linked, meaning I can jump through notes or passed notes in the sequence. I’ve not yet implemented any parent / child / orphan style to the Tags and Links I’m using, but it looks like these should be of use when I start building the plot arcs and longer-term goals of some quests’ adventures, which will act as a timeline of the campaign - X happens before Y, which happens before Z - to avoid getting continuity errors. further explanation of how these nested Links and Tags CAN work would be very helpful - alongside which symbols to use &when to best attain the different effects these can achieve.
so currently there’s this structure:
Folders:
hold individual Notes based on the definite topic of the note: (examples)
Player Character
Monster
Quest
Plot & Timeline
LINKS:
with these connecting specific Notes, where a Note holds content with a Direct connection to another Note, they’ll have an ‘index-note’ Link and / or a Link to another individual Note when there’s details/content mentioning something which is further detailed in the other Note; this aids in not repeating info - which allows for a ONE CORRECT FACT basis of the content, thus avoiding having to alter other Notes’ content should I decide that the Fact needs amending, eg a unique treasure item in person X’s possession is stolen by person Y, the person possessing it can get altered in the Item’s Note, and even though person X’s Link might have been forgotten to be added as ‘previously owned by’, the Backlink still exists to point me in that direction when I realise this omission. although there will be hundreds of actual Notes (who’s Links will be added to as they’re interacted with In-Game), I’m using the Links web itself rather sparingly, Limiting it TO these direct inter-connectedness aspects, but allowing the software to provide the more expansive Backlinks web to follow the path of connections.
I feel the INDEX notes in this setup provide a much more solid backbone to how I’ll be using it instead of hunting down a specific Note in the folder manager (and in fact, removes the manager from the equation bar the ‘where the Note is Stored’ aspect), the blurbs should allow for quicker navigation through the Notes in the situation where a Direct connection isn’t currently in place (eg a character kills another they’ve just met - it happens!), and allows me to keep a list of whatever is in/on that index Note - in TTRPGs a person on the street being asked a question by the players might be (initially) a one-off, but they might ask for a name. boom this random person now needs a basic profile, and the index can be used as a quick jot pad to record what I’ve improvised on the spot to be made into a full note (however small) there and then or later if time at session doesn’t allow.
TAGS:
I seem to be using these like seasoning, they go in everything. sometimes multiple times through a single note - eg where a Character has multiple versions of a special ability - where I can click the Tag in one note and the left of the screen will show ALL its appearances in the Vault. the graph view then also develops, and - once I’ve played with it more - I hope it’ll be a useful way of developing the Plot when something goes awry (eg an essential person getting obliterated by a spell going wrong - this also happens - but their essentialness still being needed to have the story move onwards), the Graph should show me where there are potential connections I might not have realised when setting up the various plot arcs and quests and people-of-note the players will encounter.
what I have NOT used yet is the Canvas feature, as previously mentioned I’ve not really started on the Plot and Quest Notes yet, but - if I’ve understood the Canvas feature’s capabilities correct - this will allow me to move the Plot and quest Notes around and connect them visually as-well as with Links and Tags - I’ve not found an in-depth user guide to the intricacies of Canvas yet, but I imagine it’ll resemble the conspiracy-theory-guy-in-front-of-a-noteboard meme (which is EXACTLY what I want it to do),
so, Just as it stands, I’m i think I’m making a solid web of everything, but I feel like the Nested aspects of both Tags and Links could maybe add to the user-friendliness I’ve currently got. and IF you have wisdom on how both Links and Tags manifest or are can be used to improve the Canvas use, that would be a very welcome addition. Thanks!
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