Zettelkasten Metadata Management
To start my first Obsidian vault, I created a basic Zettelkasten system (Maturity Level 2, see [1]). This is a very simple approach involving five folders containing short notes, each with one idea, and links connecting related ideas in other notes. I was happy with it.
First I added tags to my notes (Maturity Level 3, see [1]). Then I discovered YAML and front matter with the concept of metadata. This is a simple concept for building a database from my notes (Maturity Level 4, see [1]). DataView and, nowadays, Bases could be used to automate my daily searches by enabling me to define queries on the fly. I was happy.
However, all my notes with metadata are created manually. Incorrect or inconsistent entries may produce inaccurate or confusing results. The ‘garbage in, garbage out’ rule still applies. I’m not always happy about that.
What about the key term ‘metadata management’? Is it a concept that could solve further complications?
Here is a preliminary analysis from my vault:
The actual data is shown in a Dasboard:
More about: Principles for Metadata Minimalism