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Quick Note-Taking and Digital Sovereignty

Why Choose FOSS Solutions


1. Digital Sovereignty in Note-Taking

Quick note-taking, that natural gesture we associate with a traditional notebook, has been revolutionized by digital technology. However, this transition often comes with a loss of control over our data. Proprietary solutions centralize our information on remote servers, creating technological dependency and privacy risks.

FOSS applications address this issue by putting the user back at the centre of their data control. QOwnNotes perfectly illustrates this approach by storing notes as Markdown files directly on your computer (2). This architecture ensures that you remain the owner of your data, even if the software publisher were to disappear.

2. The Markdown Format: Key to Technological Freedom

The choice of the Markdown format is deliberate in this sovereignty-driven approach. Unlike proprietary formats that require specific software to be read, Markdown is an open, human-readable standard. QOwnNotes stores all your notes as plain-text Markdown files on your computer (3).

This approach has a major advantage: you can use any text editor to view or modify your note files, even without QOwnNotes (3). This interoperability ensures the longevity of your data and avoids the vendor lock-in that characterizes proprietary solutions.

3. QOwnNotes: The Reference in FOSS Note-Taking

QOwnNotes stands out with its pragmatic and performant approach. Written in C++ and optimized for low resource consumption, unlike memory-hungry Electron applications (2), it offers a smooth user experience even on modest hardware.

The application offers advanced features such as hierarchical tag support, subfolders, optional AES-256 encryption, and the ability to import notes from Evernote and Joplin (5). Its compatibility with Nextcloud Deck cards and CalDAV task list management makes it particularly suited for collaborative workflows (2).

4. Nextcloud/ownCloud Integration: The Best of Both Worlds

One of QOwnNotes’ major assets is its native integration with Nextcloud and ownCloud. The QOwnNotesAPI application, available directly in these platforms’ app stores, allows access to deleted notes and previous versions (1).

This hybrid approach is particularly clever: file synchronization is handled by the proven Nextcloud/ownCloud clients, while QOwnNotes focuses on editing and organization (3). You benefit from reliable synchronization between your devices while maintaining full control of your data through your own cloud instance.

5. Overview of FOSS Alternatives

The FOSS ecosystem offers other remarkable solutions for different needs. Joplin stands out with its end-to-end encryption and its ability to synchronize with various cloud services (6). Notesnook, which recently went open source, offers military-grade XChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption for maximum security (5).

For users who prefer simplicity, Simplenote offers a minimalist approach with free synchronization across all devices (5). Each of these solutions shares the FOSS philosophy: code transparency, privacy respect, and avoidance of technological lock-in.

Blue Fox’s Take

At Blue Fox, we help our clients in their transition toward digital sovereignty. Choosing FOSS note-taking tools like QOwnNotes is part of a broader approach to mastering your IT infrastructure. Our expertise allows us to guide you through the implementation and customization of these solutions to perfectly meet your organizational needs.

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Sources:

Anytype, the Open-Core "Second Brain": Between Sovereignty and Pragmatism