Obsidian - Networking Notes

Networking notes in Obsidian is easy but requires remembering one small bit of syntax: double brackets: [[]]

Once you type two left-brackets, Obsidian will "know" what you're trying to do and bring up a small search box. You can then decide which note you are want to link to. As an example, I'll link to back to the main information page here: [[Start Here!]]

We're pretty well used to linking, though. What makes Obsidian's version of linking unique? Well, Obsidian implements a linking format called Bi-Directional Linking. What this means is that every note "knows" when it's being linked to, and you can follow those links backwards in a manner called "Backlinking". Try it out. Go to the top right corner and click the three vertical dots. Then, cIick "Open backlinks." You'll see a panel come up showing you that this page is linked to on both the [[Start Here!]] and the [[Markdown Information]] pages.

What's interesting about this feature is that, as we begin entering Concept Notes to the Vault, we can begin linking different concepts together and follow the connections between all of our thinking. And, actually, we can actually see those connections. Try going all the way to the left of the Obsidian window and clicking on the little mind-map-looking icon.

Related Documentation:

• Using Obsidian to Develop a Classroom Knowledge Base: Obsidian is free technology designed to create a networked knowledge base. It is not explicitly designed for collaboration, but in my Writing in Digital Environments course I came up with a method and set of instructions for students to create and manage a shared "Vault" in Obsidian.
• Start Here: This was the page I designed to broadly introduce students to Obsidian and how we would use it in the course.
• Markdown Information: This was a page I also included in our Vault linking to a variety of resources on Markdown, the markup language used by Obsidian.