Even after identifying [[Why are we deprecating notes managements|the need to learn methodologies]], I still faced a critical question: >Which tool should I use to learn and implement these methodologies? I needed to pick a tool, and I had some very straightforward requirements. ## The 7 requirements > The Tool Must Be... ### All-in-One It had to store everything in one place—tasks, projects, information—either natively or through seamless integrations. I didn’t want to juggle multiple apps to solve interconnected problems. ### Simple as F*** The tool had to be extremely simple to use. I didn’t want another "Notion" situation where, theoretically, it can do everything, but in practice, you spend more time organizing information than using it. The app needed to support fast and efficient workflows. ### Graph-Based I wanted something akin to a graph structure. Similar to Wikipedia, where every page links to others, creating a web of interconnected information. This structure naturally supports learning and exploring relationships between topics. ### Customizable and Plugin-Rich It needed to allow customizations and offer plugins to solve specific problems. This flexibility was crucial for tailoring the tool to my personal workflow. ### Multiplatform Accessing my notes and tasks from anywhere—be it a laptop or a phone—was non-negotiable. The tool had to support multiple platforms seamlessly. ### A Lifetime Solution I wanted a tool I could commit to for life. If I were to accumulate thousands of notes, I couldn’t afford to start over every time I switched to a new tool. Migrating data between tools in the past had been painful and frustrating, so this was a top priority. ### Easily Replaceable While I wanted a lifetime solution, I also needed the security of knowing I could easily export my data if the tool no longer met my needs. This meant the data had to be stored in an open, accessible format—not locked into proprietary systems. #integrate with [[File over app]] ## The decision At the time, the only tool that met all these requirements was **Obsidian**.  ### What Makes Obsidian Stand Out? 1. **All Data is Local** Obsidian stores everything locally as plain text files—Markdown, to be specific. Unlike many other apps, your data isn’t trapped in a proprietary system. This simplicity makes it easy to back up, move, or even open with a different tool if needed. 2. **Fast and Simple** Adding, editing, and linking notes is incredibly easy. You can create a new note with a simple command, and linking it to another note takes just a few clicks. This simplicity eliminates unnecessary friction. 3. **Graph-Based Structure** The built-in graph view visualizes connections between your notes, making it easier to navigate your knowledge base. It’s like having your own personal Wikipedia. 4. **Highly Customizable** With a rich library of plugins, Obsidian can adapt to almost any workflow. From task management to knowledge graphs, the possibilities are nearly endless. 5. **Multiplatform** Obsidian works seamlessly across devices—whether you’re on your laptop or your phone, you can access and edit your notes wherever you are. 6. **Lifetime Solution, Yet Replaceable** Since Obsidian uses plain text files, you’re never locked into the tool. You can export your notes anytime and migrate to another tool without losing your data. ## Final word When people ask why this last requirement - easy replaceability - was so important, the answer is simple. Most apps store data in the cloud or in proprietary formats. With Obsidian, your data is stored locally, and it’s just text files. This makes the tool incredibly future-proof. If you want to store information, the simplest and most reliable format is plain text. Obsidian doesn’t try to do much more than display and link these notes, and that’s its biggest strength. It’s fast, flexible, and future-proof. For me, it was the perfect tool to build my second brain.