StacyThe Stacy Blog
Notes worth keeping.
Practical guides on note-taking, personal knowledge management, block editors, backlinks and local-first software — from the team building Stacy.
Start here
The foundations: what makes a great notes system and how Stacy thinks about it.
Backlinks in Note-Taking Explained (Why They Matter)
Backlinks in note-taking, explained — what bidirectional links are, why one-way links lose context, and simple linking habits that surface connections.
What Is a Block Editor? Blocks, Pages and Databases
What is a block editor? How blocks differ from plain documents, the common block types, why drag-and-drop restructuring works, and trade-offs vs markdown.
What Is Local-First Software? A Plain-English Guide
Local-first software keeps your data on your device and treats the network as an enhancement. What it means, the seven ideals behind it, and honest trade-offs.
How to Organize Notes: A Simple System That Lasts
Learn how to organize notes without over-engineering — folders vs tags vs links, a simple inbox-first starter system, and when reorganizing is worth it.
Methods & workflows
PKM methods that actually stick — second brains, Zettelkasten, PARA and friends.
How to Take Meeting Notes That People Actually Use
Learn how to take meeting notes with a before/during/after system: agenda skeletons, decisions and owners, and a two-minute cleanup that makes notes stick.
AI Note-Taking: A Practical Guide to What Actually Helps
A practical guide to AI note-taking: where AI genuinely helps with your notes, where it quietly hurts your thinking, and why local-first privacy matters.
PARA Method Explained: How to Organize Notes by Action
Learn the PARA method — Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives — with concrete examples, a one-afternoon migration plan, and where the system falls short.
Zettelkasten Method: A Beginner's Guide to Smart Notes
The Zettelkasten method turns notes into a thinking partner. Learn Luhmann's system — atomic notes, links over folders — and how to adapt it digitally.
How to Build a Second Brain: A Practical Starter Guide
How to build a second brain, explained practically: Tiago Forte's CODE framework, why hoarding fails, and a minimal starter setup that actually works.
Tools & comparisons
Honest looks at the note-taking landscape and how the big tools compare.
Notion vs Obsidian: Which Note App Fits How You Work?
Notion vs Obsidian, compared honestly: data model, offline access, databases, collaboration and learning curve — and how to choose the right one for you.
Best Notion Alternatives: 6 Apps Worth Switching To
Looking for the best Notion alternatives? Six honest picks — Obsidian, Anytype, Logseq, Craft, Evernote and Stacy — with real strengths and trade-offs.
Best Note-Taking Apps: 7 Picks for Every Kind of Note
The best note-taking apps for every job — quick capture, linked notes, team wikis, stylus input and more. Seven honest picks with real trade-offs for each.