###### NAVIGATE - BACK : [[OBSIDIAN.topics]] ---- >[!info]- [[ENIGMAS]] ----- #### AENIGMAS ### Effective Note Categorization in Obsidian #### Avoid Manual Categorization Imagine having a database with 10,000 notes and being asked to sort them by category. The scale of work would be overwhelming, leading to procrastination and inefficiency. Manual categorization would be a daunting and monotonous task, prone to changes and additional requests. #### Strategy for Efficient Categorization 1. **Leverage Backlinks:** - Use the backlinks panel to trace where a note originated from. - This approach helps identify the source (e.g., book, podcast) or category of the thought without manual sorting. 2. **Create Source-Based Notes:** - Organize notes based on their sources rather than predefined categories. - Example: markdown Copy code `# Source: "Data Science Handbook" - [[Note on Statistics]] - [[Note on Machine Learning]] - [[Note on Data Analysis]]` 3. **Develop Categories Over Time:** - Allow categories to emerge naturally as you accumulate more notes. - When you notice a sufficient number of notes related to a particular topic, create a category note. - Example: markdown Copy code `# Category: Data Analysis - [[Note on R]] - [[Note on Statistics]] - [[Note on Machine Learning]]` 4. **Use Tags for Flexible Organization:** - Utilize tags to mark notes with relevant keywords. - Tags can be used to create dynamic categories without rigid structure. - Example: markdown Copy code `--- tags: [data-analysis, statistics, R] ---` 5. **Employ Dataview Plugin:** - Use the Dataview plugin to create dynamic views of your notes based on tags, keywords, or other criteria. - Example of a Dataview query: markdown Copy code ` ```dataview table from "notes" where contains(tags, "data-analysis") ` ----- ### Developing a Topic in Obsidian #### Purpose - **Structure Thoughts:** Topic notes organize thoughts and act as intermediaries for manuscripts and outlines by collecting links to sequences and subsequences. - **Orientation:** They help orient you within the slip-box by providing an entry point into a line of thought. --- #### Step-by-Step in Obsidian 1. **Review Existing Notes** - Expand your slip-box folder in Obsidian. - Review existing notes and note sequences. 2. **Identify a Common Idea** - Identify a sequence or cluster of notes supporting a common idea or argument. - Ask, “What topic would be best positioned in the middle?” 3. **Name Your Topic Note** - If the index was a section in a bookstore, the topic would be the title, section, or chapter of a book within that section. - Once you have an answer, you have the name of your topic note. 4. **Create a New Topic Note** - Click **New note** in Obsidian. - Name the note to bridge the index to the slip-box notes. 5. **Add Metadata to the Topic Note** markdown Copy code `index: [[indexName]] tags: #topic-note --- 12345` - Replace `[[indexName]]` with a link to the appropriate index note. 6. **Link Supporting Notes** - Within the topic note, add links to permanent notes and note sequences supporting the topic. - Place follow-up notes in a sequence under the starting note as a bullet list. 7. **Update Permanent Notes** - Update each permanent note’s topic field with a link to the new topic note. - This will accurately update the weight of the topic notes in your slip-box. --- #### Example of a Topic Note 1. **Create a New Topic Note** markdown Copy code `Topic: The Influence of Technology on Society index: [[Technology]] tags: #topic-note --- 12345 ### Key Points - [[20240613-1]] - The Role of Social Media - [[20240613-2]] - Technological Advancements and Employment ### Unanswered Questions - How does technology influence mental health? - What are the long-term societal impacts of AI? ### Outline - Introduction - Historical Context - Current Trends - Future Implications` 2. **Update Permanent Notes** - Each permanent note related to this topic should have a field linking back to this topic note. --- #### Tips for Developing Topics - **Limited Links:** Add at most 25 links to each topic note. - **Short Descriptions:** Include 1-2 sentences indicating what the linked permanent notes contain. - **Scratchpad for Thinking:** Use the topic note as a scratchpad for unanswered questions and further contemplation. -----