Zettelkasten in Apple Notes | Tutorial | Best Note Taking System?

How to implement the famous and very effective Zettelkasten method in Apple Notes.
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Zettelkasten in Apple Notes | Efficient Note Taking Tutorial

[@smiththewright]

You explained this subject exceptionally well! Sometimes, the almighty algorithm delivers a real gem. 💎

[@Patrick-NP]

Thank you!

[@gastonlagaffe9156]

Great video!! I have the feeling that, unlike a lot of youtubers, you have nothing to sell, but you just want to share your understanding, your experiences and your ideas. I wish you big success with your channel. Thank you.

[@Patrick-NP]

Thanks a lot!

[@ashjjw]

I've bumped into a few of your videos now and they've each stood out. Good job. Subscribed 🙂

[@Patrick-NP]

Thanks!!🤩

[@fujigirl1234]

By far the best explanation of the Zettelkasten method that I have seen. You explain that it is a tool for writing and thinking that is personal to each individual. It is not a static database of facts which aims to be comprehensive. It is all about connecting the facts, questions and ideas that interest us, and doing it very quickly. We will miss connections sometimes, but we will also stumble across new ones by chance. It can never be complete because our knowledge and interests are changing all the time. And the simplicity of Apple Notes could be ideal for this, as you suggest. Folders, tags, links and search could be all that's needed for the Fleeting, Content, Reference and Permanent notes that make up the system. Thank you Patrick. I'm looking forward to trying it out.

[@Patrick-NP]

Thanks!

[@jochenglombitza8256]

Hi Patrick, thank you for this interesting video. As oliverparlebureau mentioned "Raum" means literally "room". But in this case, it means space in different ways (not only outer space as he wrote). The complete translation of the note (shown in this clip) is as follows: 7/40 Space Links: Personal space 536/7fB Territoriality 21/3d19t Time/Space 7/9e4f Mathematization / Movement / 54/19,1 d Social system > Space 21/3d27fB (…) City 7/71 (or „l“) Art 32/3g13k71 (or “l“)

[@Patrick-NP]

Thank you! translated in English it shows even more clearly the broad range of directions you can move in from this card.

[@jeffharmed1616]

Interesting system thanks. I use a combination of Mind Mapping and Apple Notes. The former is better for structuring a document (permanent note in your system) and it also encourages the use of key headings and categorising skills. The latter is more for keeping records and for project management which you didn’t touch on.

[@J.e.r.o.e.n]

Ridiculously useful explanation !!! As said here before; best explanation available. Praise the Algorithm to deliver this to me at the right time 👍

[@Patrick-NP]

Thanks!

[@keithedwinsmith9416]

Thought provoking. I’ve had Apple computers/devices for a while now and never found a use for Apple Notes. I’ll definitely look into trying out a zettelkasten system around topics that interest me. The idea of building up a linked resource of ideas and facts that can be tapped into in the future is intriguing.

[@Patrick-NP]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it useful!

[@olivierparlebureau]

This is a great way to better understand and implement Zettelkasten.I think I understood the concept, but implementing with digital tool is not always easy. And you demonstrated it very good. BTW Raum in german means Room in English, but take it more broadly. Weltraum (literally World-room) means outerspace.

[@Patrick-NP]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@LifeInGray696]

Agree - definitely the best explanation of zettelkasten I have seen. Thank you!!

[@Patrick-NP]

Thank you!

[@midnightcoder]

Im a big apple notes fan. I’m glad I found you and this channel. Subscribed!

[@Patrick-NP]

Thank you!

[@heyjennylee]

Saving this video and excited to start implementing your structure right away. I adore Apple Notes but never found a good way to create a Zettelkasten successfully using it. Thanks for a great video and walkthrough!

[@Patrick-NP]

Thanks a lot! Enjoy! :)

[@scottsegal7631]

Great video and modern explanation of a good way to implement Zettelkasten. Would love to see a video with a more built out, realistic example of a Zettlekasten system in Apple Notes to help me visualize how to best do it.

[@moviesbysteve]

Very interesting video. I'm kind of a Notes enthusiast and have really been enjoying your channel.

[@Patrick-NP]

Awesome, thank you!

[@TCamp72a]

Great video!! Thank you for explaining so succinctly! How do you manage backlinks with this method? Or do you not?

[@Patrick-NP]

Thanks! There are no automatic backlinks in apple notes unfortunately, so the only workaround would be to create some sort of navigation yourself, using standard links. this may work for small amount of notes; but if you need proper backlink support, then I recommend using Obsidian (or similar apps). Another user also mentioned an add-on for Apple Notes called Pronotes which adds backlink support - however I haven't tried it, so can't vouch for it, but you may want to have a look? Hope this helps!

[@ahmedaboelfadl1901]

you can now link notes together with the shortcut >>

[@goat-of-neptune]

how do you handle backlinks in apple notes? and do you have a backup scheme, if someday, apple will drop notes and you have to continue with a different software?

[@Patrick-NP]

very good questions. In order: a) there are no automatic backlinks in Apple Notes, unfortunately. You can only navigate 'forward'. However, as a workaround, you can create your own backlinks manually. b) It's probably unlikely, but it's true, Apple could in theory drop Notes at some point. After all, they've done it already with other apps. There is a way to export notes, but it's a cumbersome and slow process. Bottom line: we need to hope Apple doesn't discontinue Notes, and that if they do, they will at least provide users with a "bulk exporter" for all notes!

[@robbertvannes9071]

Any thoughts on the durability of the system? Apple might someday change the way the notes app works and the whole system comes crumbling down. Or you might one day decide to leave the apple ecosystem and thereby limit your access. Or am I too pessimistic in this?

[@Patrick-NP]

Probably a bit pessimistic, but it's a fair question. When you decide to invest time and effort on a system/platform then you want to be reasonably sure it will work for a long time. Obsidian is a safer bet in this sense, as it works with text files, but has disadvantages compared to Apple notes. Having said that, don't let those questions stop you from using the system (or any system you settle on). The original Zettelkasten was entirely paper based. If Luhmann had stopped using it because "someday there could be a fire, and I may lose all my archive" he wouldn't have enjoyed his amazing system for the next 50 years.