## In The Community - There is a new [when2meet](https://www.when2meet.com/?11861492-Aihza) link for `@bri`'s  [Knowledge Organization in Obsidian](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/knowledge-organization-cataloging-and-classification-in-obsidian-community-talk-by-brimwats/) talk, which needs to be rescheduled. - You can still [vote for a time slot](https://www.when2meet.com/?11752321-UHqgS) for `@phnx`'s [Deep Learning on Networks](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/deep-learning-on-networks-community-talk-by-phnx/). - If you're interested in a Discussing Spaced Repetition talk/discussion by `@Jamesb`, please vote [here](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/obsidian-talks-voting-post-which-talks-do-you-want-to-hear/15705/40). ## Obsidian Updates - v0.12.3 rolled out to the public. It bundles [12.0](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/obsidian-release-v0-12-0/16809), [12.1](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/obsidian-release-v0-12-1/16904), [12.2](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/obsidian-release-v0-12-2/17602), and [12.3](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/obsidian-release-v0-12-3/17957).  Highlights include better plugin management, the ability to pin commands in the command palette, and improvements to search. "Backlinks in document" is now a core feature. - The biggest news is that you should grab the new installer from [the website](https://obsidian.md/) because there was an Electron update that has a bunch of security and speed improvements. ## Plugin News ### New - [Better Footnotes](https://github.com/alx-plugins/better-fn) is pending review for admission into the community plugins list, but the long-awaited feature of getting preview-on-hover for footnotes is finally here (and I am HYPE). - The [Incremental Writing](https://github.com/bjsi/incremental-writing) plugin (in the community plugins list, doesn't require manual install). There are a bunch of great videos explaining it on the repo. - [Inline Variables](https://github.com/flip-md/obsidian-inline-variables) allows the setting, referring, and rendering of inline-variables in real-time. It currently requires manual install. - [Supercharged links](https://github.com/mdelobelle/obsidian_supercharged_links) allows for customization of internal links based on the target note's front-matter attributes. It also lets you trigger Array, Boolean and Number in front-matter values to style your internal links. There is a [showcase](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/supercharged-links-showcase/18219) on the forum. ### Updates - [Buttons](https://github.com/shabegom/buttons/) had a big update, with a nifty button maker command, inline buttons, and the ability to put a templater command inside a button. There's also a new [showcase for the buttons plugin](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/buttons-showcase/18044). - Dataview's new `link(url, alias)` function allows you to create aliased wikilinks ([example](http://discordapp.com/channels/686053708261228577/840286238928797736/840599798176022529) via `@SkepticMystic`). The `contains(key,value)` function is also pretty useful if you have more than one value possible for a key and therefore can't use `where x = y` ([example](https://discord.com/channels/686053708261228577/840286238928797736/842734563359719444) via `@Zicon`). - [v0.0.7 of the Readwise Community plugin](https://github.com/renehernandez/obsidian-readwise/releases/tag/0.0.7) lets you configure a sync interval so that the plugin will pull new highlights from Readwise every X hours. - The [Spaced Repetition](https://github.com/st3v3nmw/obsidian-spaced-repetition) plugin now has support for flashcard decks. - [Tracker v1.4.0](https://github.com/pyrochlore/obsidian-tracker) has better support for chart scaling and positioning. - [Hotkey Helper 0.3.2](https://github.com/pjeby/hotkey-helper) has an enhanced plugin browser. - [Kanban v0.3.0](https://github.com/mgmeyers/obsidian-kanban/discussions/89) has some bugfixes and added time picker & time support. - There's a new plugin that adds [Org Mode support](https://github.com/ryanpcmcquen/obsidian-org-mode) for Obsidian. ### Magic - `@zsviczian` figured out how to [leverage dataviewjs with the excalidraw plugin to automagically generate mind map graphics](https://discord.com/channels/686053708261228577/840286238928797736/840606013341696040). Similar magic can be used to create [family tree graphics](https://discord.com/channels/686053708261228577/840286238928797736/840644541270982716). - `@Mara` created a [script for espanso](https://discord.com/channels/686053708261228577/694233507500916796/841422069694201896) to make using the admonition plugin even easier. - `@ryanjamurphy` combines dataview, templater, and kanban boards to [automate the creation of linked lists for kanban](https://discord.com/channels/686053708261228577/840286238928797736/841745942025207857). There's also a [simpler version](https://discord.com/channels/686053708261228577/840286238928797736/841779336398504017) that leverages only kanban and core features. - `@ryanjampurphy` also shared [a way to use dataviewjs to dynamically show past and future tasks in your daily notes](https://discord.com/channels/686053708261228577/840286238928797736/842152590379712563). - `@pmbauer` figured out how to do [basic OCR with Templater](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/basic-ocr-in-obsidian/18087), which might actually be the thing that makes me try out Templater. ### Under the Radar - This plugin lets you [easily convert a URL into an iframe](https://github.com/FHachez/obsidian-convert-url-to-iframe). - [Hotkeys for Specific Files](https://github.com/Vinzent03/obsidian-hotkeys-for-specific-files) by `@Vinadon` does exactly what it claims to, and is probably really nice for keyboard-first users. ### For Developers - `manifest` defines which version to look for as the latest version, while `versions` defines which version works with which Obsidian version. (Thanks, `@zsviczian`!) - `@Liam` shared the `obsidian-daily-notes-interface` lib, which handles lookups and weird edge cases for date formats and supports the Periodic Notes plugin. - Obsidian uses [Icons8](https://icons8.com/) for icons. `@Licat` & `@Silver` have a membership, but if developers need an icon for a plugin that Obsidian doesn't currently support, `@Silver` is willing to add them. (Discussion [here](https://discord.com/channels/686053708261228577/840286264964022302/841732418439610388)). Here is the [list of icons currently available](https://github.com/obsidianmd/obsidian-api/issues/3#issuecomment-724665569). `@Chetachi` recommends anyone needing icon use [Iconify](https://iconify.design/icon-sets/) & the [Icon Swapper plugin](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/obsidian-icon-swapper-plugin/17539). ## Workflow Stuff - There was a really nice [example](http://discordapp.com/channels/686053708261228577/702656734631821413/840937390498775062) of how to pair the [Admonition plugin](https://github.com/valentine195/obsidian-admonition) with reference notes from `@Chetachi` - This GitHub discussion showcases `@dork`'s setup for [getting hypothes.is notes into Obsidian](https://github.com/out-of-cheese-error/gooseberry/discussions/73). ### Mobile - `@DukeCephalopod` was able to use [MGit](https://github.com/maks/MGit) with their vault, although it's not automatic (requires manual push/pull, but it has GUI buttons so you don't have to mess with the command line on your phone). - `@ankushg` uses [Toolbox Pro](https://toolboxpro.app/) (the free version) to get into the dotfolders (i.e. `.obsidian`) on iOS. ## Feature Requests - [Folder Nodes on Graph View](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/folder-graph-view/4641) has 25 upvotes on the forum, and I'm resurfacing it rather selfishly because it's something I've been wanting for awhile, as someone who does a lot with folders. - There's been some interest around functionality to make it easier to [resurface old notes](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/note-aging/467/11). ## Appearance - `@Blund` shared a reminder that [html symbol codes](http://cactus.io/resources/toolbox/html-symbol-codes) (like `→` for → ) work in Markdown. - `@Chetachi` shared a `.css` file that includes all the [codes for changing things around on the graph](http://discordapp.com/channels/686053708261228577/702656734631821413/841353144856084500). - There were a lot of typography & font discussions this week; here's a link to the [forum thread](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/your-favourite-fonts-choice-and-why-thread/18129) on the topic. `@Korban` also shared some [typography resources](http://discordapp.com/channels/686053708261228577/702656734631821413/842671647550078996). - The forums had a handy writeup about [how to add Google fonts to theme CSS](https://forum.obsidian.md/t/fyi-how-to-add-google-fonts-to-any-themes-css/18115). - You can use `Ω` to sort files to the _bottom_ of a list, similar to how `!` usually will get something at the top of your file list. - You can use [anchor links](https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/nbbskz/anchor_links/) in Obsidian to jump to a particular subheading. Incidentally, this also works for the roundup! ## Knowledge Management - There was a nice discussion about [the dangers of 'reading like an academic' when you're not actually an academic'](http://discordapp.com/channels/686053708261228577/710585052769157141/840298881462960138) and how "productivity culture" can inhibit enjoyment and depth of learning. - There were some tips shared about how to [get started writing an essay](https://discord.com/channels/686053708261228577/722584061087842365/840989959053246495). - [The difference between an index and a MOC](http://discordapp.com/channels/686053708261228577/710585052769157141/841885329572495360) came up a couple of different times. - Some people discussed [how to take notes for inherently visual mediums](http://discordapp.com/channels/686053708261228577/710585052769157141/842458593444888636) like choreography. - There was a discussion of [how to use Obsidian as a law student](https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/n8g5zs/looking_for_a_law_school_example_using_obsidian/) over on Reddit (mostly because someone asked, so if you have any tips, please share them). ## Ancillary Tools - [iris.ai](https://iris.ai/) came up as a useful research tool with a nifty GUI for tracking down articles related to a starting point. - [Nebo](https://www.nebo.app/) is a mobile app with excellent handwriting detection, it can indent bullet points and exports well to clipboard, allowing for easy pasting into Obsidian. - A lot of people enjoyed this [color palette generator](https://coolors.co/generate) for creating color schemes for graphs and folders and such. - [LiquidText](https://www.liquidtext.net/) was recommended as a great tool for projects, as it allows for the opening of multiple PDFs in a single "project" and has a nice highlighting app. - You can use [AutoHotKey](https://www.autohotkey.com/) to rebind the `insert` key to do literally anything else, which I highly recommend based on how often people think that its behavior of deleting everything after the cursor as you type is an Obsidian bug. - `@koala` created a [CSV to Markdown converter](https://github.com/kometenstaub/csv-to-md). ## Housekeeping - I added some [resources for beginners](https://eleanorkonik.com/resources/#for-beginners) to the Resources portion of the roundup. - I also added some resources for [personal knowledge management](https://eleanorkonik.com/resources/#personal-knowledge-management). - I've been making more of an effort to engage with folks over on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/EleanorKonik) about Obsidian-related things, if that's a place you prefer to interact.