Why Are People Leaving Obsidian for This Note App? | Capacities Review

Summary

Obsidian, a popular free note-taking app, faces competition from Capacities, which offers a blend of Notion and Logseq features with a sleek interface. Capacities simplifies note organization with daily notes, customizable pages, and AI assistance for content management. It differentiates itself by allowing users to categorize links and people, providing a more structured approach to note-taking. While it lacks some customization options and mobile app support, its user-friendly setup and AI features make it an attractive alternative for those seeking simplicity over extensive customization.

Takeaways

• 📚 Obsidian has been a popular note-taking app, known for its free use and extensive customization options.
• 🔄 Some users are considering switching to 'Capacities', a new note-taking app with its own set of features.
• 💡 Capacities is described as a blend between 'Notion' and 'No Tabs', with a user-friendly interface and organizational capabilities.
• 🌐 Unlike 'Any Type', which is local, Capacities operates in the cloud, offering a different approach to note management.
• 🎨 Capacities offers a visually appealing interface with themes like light and dark mode, but lacks the extensive theming options of Obsidian.
• 📅 The app includes a daily note feature, encouraging users to jot down daily tasks, ideas, and encounters.
• 🔗 Capacities allows users to link notes in a structured way, categorizing them as people, places, books, or web pages.
• 📊 It features a graph view to visualize connections between different notes and information, enhancing the understanding of linked data.
• 🛠️ Users can customize the layout of each page in Capacities, choosing from styles like profile, index card, and encyclopedia.
• 📝 The app supports various types of content organization, from pages and images to custom types like PDFs, apps, books, and projects.
• 🤖 Capacities includes an AI feature for content organization and editing, available with a paid plan, offering additional features like block referencing.
• 📲 The mobile app for Capacities is not officially available yet, indicating ongoing development and potential for future enhancements.

Q & A

Why has Obsidian been popular as a note-taking app?

Obsidian has been popular due to its free availability and the endless customization options it offers, allowing users to build any note-taking system within the app.

What are some reasons people might consider switching from Obsidian to Capacities?

People might consider switching due to Capacities' improvements, its user-friendly interface, and the unique features it offers, such as the ability to categorize links and organize information in a visually appealing way.

How does Capacities differ from Obsidian in terms of user interface and customization?

Capacities has a more structured interface with a main panel, side panels for notes and collections, and a calendar. It also allows for page layout customization but currently does not offer theme customization like Obsidian.

What is the 'daily note' feature in Capacities and how is it used?

The 'daily note' feature in Capacities is used to jot down anything the user needs to remember or do each day, such as meetings, discussions, readings, or ideas.

How does Capacities categorize linked items differently from Obsidian?

In Capacities, when linking items, users can categorize them as specific types such as a person, place, book, or web page, which helps in organizing the information more effectively.

What is the 'graph view' feature in Capacities and what does it do?

The 'graph view' in Capacities visualizes the connections between notes, people, and other objects in the database, similar to how Wikipedia links related topics.

How does Capacities allow users to customize the appearance of pages?

Capacities allows users to choose from different page layouts such as profile, index card, and encyclopedia, and to customize the look with just a few clicks.

What types of information can be organized in Capacities and how?

Users can organize various types of information in Capacities, such as pages, images, files, and custom types like PDFs, apps, books, and projects. They can also filter or sort information using properties.

What is the AI feature in Capacities and how can it be accessed?

The AI feature in Capacities allows users to get context-based assistance, such as revising a draft. It can be accessed by pressing Command or Ctrl + J on the keyboard.

What are some limitations of Capacities mentioned in the script?

Some limitations include the lack of an official mobile app and the absence of a browser extension, which makes capturing information from the web less straightforward.

How does the pricing of Capacities compare to other note-taking apps?

Capacities offers a paid plan at a relatively affordable rate, around $10 per month, which includes additional features like block referencing and mobile app access.

Outlines

00:00

📓 Exploring Capabilities: A New Note-Taking App

Obsidian has gained popularity as a free, highly customizable note-taking app, but some users are considering switching to Capabilities due to its unique features. Capabilities is described as a blend of Notion and no-Tabs like Obsidian and Logseq, with a visually appealing interface that includes a main panel for note-taking, a sidebar for files and collections, and a calendar for daily notes. It allows users to link and categorize information, such as web links, people, and books, into specific types, creating a structured database. The app also offers a graph view for visualizing connections and customizable page layouts. While it lacks some of Obsidian's extensive customization options, it provides a simpler setup process, making it attractive for users who prefer ease of use over extensive personalization.

05:02

🤖 Introducing AI Features and Simplicity in Capabilities

Capabilities offers a range of features that enhance its functionality, including AI integration for tasks like email organization and content creation. The app provides a sidebar for easy navigation and a six-dot menu for block manipulation, such as turning text into headings or grouping blocks together. The AI button allows users to interact with the AI for tasks like revising blog posts, and the AI chat can be accessed quickly using keyboard shortcuts. While the AI feature is available only on the paid plan, it's considered reasonably priced at around $10 per month, offering additional features like block referencing and mobile app access. The simplicity of Capabilities is highlighted as a strength, especially for users who find Obsidian's customization options overwhelming. However, the app is still in development, with features like the mobile app and browser extension not yet fully available. The video concludes with a suggestion to check out other note-taking apps like Anytype for those who prefer an even simpler setup.

Keywords

💡Obsidian

Obsidian is a popular note-taking application known for its extensive customization options and free availability. In the video, it is mentioned as a point of comparison for the app 'Capacities,' illustrating the theme of exploring alternative note-taking tools. For example, the script states, 'Obsidian has been arguably the most popular note app in the past year...'

💡Capacities

Capacities is a new note-taking app introduced in the script, which has seen improvements and is being considered by some as an alternative to Obsidian. It is characterized by its user interface and the ability to organize information in various types. The script mentions, '...some people are considering to switch from Obsidian to this app 'Capacities'...'

💡Customization

Customization refers to the ability to modify and adapt software to suit individual preferences or needs. In the context of the video, it is a key feature of note-taking apps like Obsidian, allowing users to build their own systems. The script notes, '...offers endless customization so you can build any note-taking system inside it...'

💡Daily Note

A daily note is a concept where users write down tasks, thoughts, or events of the day. It is a feature in many note-taking apps, including Capacities, which is highlighted in the script: '...like in many no tabs nowadays you get a daily note every day...'

💡Linking

Linking in note-taking apps allows users to create connections between different notes or pieces of information. The script explains how Capacities differs from Obsidian in this aspect: '...this is where it differs from Obsidian, when you link something you can choose what it is...'

💡Graph View

Graph view is a visual representation of the connections between different notes or entities within a note-taking app. It is a feature that 'everybody loves,' as mentioned in the script, and it helps in visualizing the relationships: '...there's a graph view everybody loves it visualizes the connections...'

💡AI Organization

AI organization refers to the use of artificial intelligence to manage and sort information, such as emails. The script introduces 'Samebox' as an example of an AI tool for email organization: '...use AI to organize your email inbox today's sponsor same box is a must-have productivity tool...'

💡Formatting Options

Formatting options are features within note-taking apps that allow users to style and organize their text in various ways. The script mentions the good formatting options in Capacities: '...the formatting options are good too you can turn text into a code block formula or highlight it with different colors...'

💡AI Chat

AI chat is a feature that enables users to interact with an AI assistant for various purposes, such as content revision or brainstorming. The script describes how Capacities includes this feature: '...you can access AI chat just by pressing command or Ctrl J or on your keyboard so you can talk about anything...'

💡Simplicity

Simplicity in the context of the video refers to the ease of use and setup of a note-taking app. The script suggests that some users might prefer Capacities over Obsidian because of its simpler setup: '...it's much more simple and easy to set up and less customization...'

Highlights

Obsidian has been a popular note app due to its free access and extensive customization options.

Some users are considering switching to Capacities, a new note app with its own set of features.

Capacities has seen significant improvements since its initial release.

The app combines elements of Notion and no-Tabs like Obsidian and Logseq.

Capacities and Any Type are similar in many aspects, but Any Type is local fast while Capacities is cloud fast.

Capacities features a visually appealing interface with themes limited to light and dark mode.

The app includes a main panel for note-taking, a pinboard, and a calendar.

Daily notes allow users to record and link information like Wikipedia.

Linking in Capacities is enhanced by categorizing links as people, places, books, or web pages.

A graph view is available to visualize connections between different pieces of information.

Customizable page layouts in Capacities include profile, index card, and encyclopedia styles.

Capacities allows for easy organization of various information types with its object categorization.

Users can create new types for organization beyond the default Pages, images, and files.

Formatting options in Capacities are robust, including code blocks, formulas, and color highlights.

An AI feature is available for certain tasks, such as revising blog posts, but requires a paid plan.

Capacities' simplicity and ease of setup may appeal to users overwhelmed by Obsidian's customization options.

The app's mobile version and browser extension are areas that still require development.

Capacities offers a paid plan for additional features like block referencing and mobile app access.

The presenter prefers apps that require no setup for maximum efficiency.

A recommendation to also check out the Any Type review for those interested in note-taking apps.

Transcripts

obsidia has been arguably the most

popular note app in the past year which

is no surprise because it is free and

offers endless customization so you can

build any note-taking system inside it

but now some people are considering to

switch from obsidian to this art code

capacities why is that well let's see

what it can do and which one is the best

for you so I've actually known

capacities since last year but I haven't

had a chance to play with it until

recently but it seems it's got a lot of

improvements since then my first

impression is that it's like a cross

between notion and no tabs like obsidian

and logseek which is exactly the same

thing I said about any type any type is

another new note app that I've reviewed

recently but there are some big

differences like any type is local fast

whereas capacities is cloud fast but I

have to say they are very similar in

many aspects so if you're interested in

capacities you also want to check out

anytime to see which one you prefer

anyway this is a really pretty app I

don't think there are themes or any

option to change the appearance like

obsidian at the moment except for light

and dark mode but it looks amazing as it

is you have the main panel at the center

where you ride and a pin denotes and the

files as well as a list of collections

on the left then you have a calendar on

the right so like in many no tabs

nowadays you get a daily note every day

this is where you write down anything

you need to remember or do on each day

it could be someone you met things you

talked about with your friends books you

read or ideas you had and as you write

these things you can link things

together like you see on Wikipedia but

this is where it differs from obsidian

when you link something you can choose

what it is such as a person a place a

book or a web page so let's do a few

examples say you just came across a

really interesting article on a website

you can choose web link from the menu

and paste the link then this is

automatically added to the list of web

links which is where you can see all the

links you've added so far now say you

made a new friend and you want to

remember what you talked about with him

here you choose a person from the list

which will add him to the list of people

you know inside a page you can add more

information about him like his profile

photo his number email or anything you

like also there's a graph view everybody

loves it visualizes the connections

between noids people and everything you

have in your database anyway a really

cool thing about this app is that you

can choose the layout of each page so if

you want it to look like an actual

profile page choose profile and also you

can choose other styles like an index

card and encyclopedia I love how you can

customize the look of your page with

just a few clicks like this now you can

see the list of people you know like in

Ocean you can change the view type like

gallery and table depending on how you

want to see the information and use the

properties to filter or sort so just

like this you can use capacities to

organize different types of information

with ease by default you have things

like Pages images and the files but you

can add more types by hitting new type

where you have more options like PDF

apps books and projects but you could

create your own type if you don't see

the one you need I think eventually you

have more and more types you can use

speaking of organization you can now use

AI to organize your email inbox today's

sponsor same box is a must-have

productivity tool for anyone who gets a

lot of emails or have hundreds of unread

and old emails in inbox it will scan

your email inbox and automatically

identify the emails that are important

to you and emails that are not all the

important emails will be moved to the

folder called say later so your inbox

will be clean and you can focus on the

emails that matter this means you don't

have to spend hours every week

organizing your inbox because same box

does that for you but that's not all

same box comes with a ton of time saving

features like daily digest and the same

black hole daily digest gives you a

summary of an important and read emails

so you can batch process them being able

to Archive many emails at once feels

great and saves you a lot of time and if

you don't want to receive any more

emails from a certain sender you can add

their emails to same black hole there

are any future emails from them will be

stored in there and won't be delivered

to your inbox you can use inbox with any

email client whether you use Gmail

Outlook or Yahoo just install the app

and it will work seamlessly you can try

sandbox for free to see how it works for

you you don't even have to register your

credit card you can try from the QR code

on the screen or from samebox.com and

also get 25 credit that's sa nabox.com

xiaomi a bonus tip before we go you

should try the deep clean feature if you

find all the emails that are taking up

space in your inbox and clean them up

for you so you can start fresh

all right back to capacities I think

that's a gist of how you use this app to

organize information first you write

things or upload files in your daily

note then link and add them to the

different types of objects I like how

simple this basic workflow is once you

have set up objects you need it's really

easy to use afterwards by the way the

formatting options are good too you can

turn text into a code block formula or

highlight it with different colors and

if you click on a page while holding

shift it will open the page in the

sidebar so you can see it while writing

on the main panel also just like in

notion when you click on this six dots

icon it shows you the list of things you

can do there's a block like turning into

a heading code and a list you can also

group several blocks together which I

think looks really nice another awesome

thing you can do is that you have this

AI button which gives this block as

context to Chacha Beauty and ask

anything about it so for example you can

write a draft of a blog post and have it

to revise it for you but you can access

AI chat just by pressing command or Ctrl

J or on your keyboard so you can talk

about anything you like being able to

have multiple conversations open at the

same time is amazing too but this AI

feature is only available on the paid

plan which is fair it only costs like 10

a month so it's not that expensive at

all plus you will get other extra

features such as block referencing and

RD access to the mobile app so I can see

why some people might choose to switch

to this app from other node types it has

tons of great features and it is not

that expensive but I think many people

especially obsidian users find it

attractive because it's much more simple

and easy to set up and less

customization is a strength of obsidian

but also a weakness in some ways because

it can make things complicated and

overwhelming and you could spend hours

and hours customizing things which is

fun but not accomplishing anything so if

you're someone who's tired of

customizing things and want something

simpler I think you'll be happy with

this app they are still things that need

to be worked on like its mobile app

isn't available officially and capturing

information from the app isn't so easy

because it doesn't have a browser

extension but I'm sure they're working

on it and they will add more features in

the future personally though I prefer

app that's even simpler than this one

like ones that you don't need to set up

at all and they do maintenance because

that way I will have more time doing the

work that actually matters but if you

like to Tinker around and experiment

with different things these apps are

great you should check out my any type

review because you might like it too if

you're interested in capacities all

right

um thank you so much for watching till

the end and I really appreciate it see

you in the next one bye