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Org mode

Org: an Emacs Mode for Notes, Planning, and Authoring.

Org mode

Org mode Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Org mode is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Org mode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-15

Features & Specs

  1. Seamless Integration with Emacs

    Org mode is tightly integrated with Emacs, allowing users to take full advantage of Emacs' powerful text-editing capabilities and extensive customization options.

  2. Outline-Based Workflow

    Org mode supports hierarchical organization of information, which makes it easy to structure content in a clear, logical manner and manage complex documents or projects.

  3. Task Management

    Built-in TODO lists, scheduling, and deadline management features make it a powerful tool for personal productivity and project management.

  4. Export Capabilities

    Org mode can export documents to a variety of formats including HTML, LaTeX, PDF, and Markdown, making it versatile for different publishing needs.

  5. Customizability

    Highly customizable through Emacs Lisp, allowing users to tailor Org mode to their specific workflow requirements.

  6. Community and Extensions

    A robust community and numerous extensions are available, providing additional functionality and support.

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Videos

org mode is awesome

2018-11-14: Building a Second Brain in Org Mode - Tasshin Michael Fogleman

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Org mode and what they use it for.
  • Org Mode Syntax Is One of the Most Reasonable Markup Languages to Use for Text
    Question: why is `https://orgmode.org/` in html and not in ... Org mode? - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Kaomel: a snappy kaomoji picker for Emacs
    Each code block could be evaluated in place, with results appearing inline. Want to test JSON parsing? Write a block, execute it, see the output. Need to try different data structures? Compare approaches side-by-side with immediate feedback. This resembles the classic Lisp REPL workflow but with all the organizational benefits of org-mode. The development document became a living laboratory. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • I tried every todo app and ended up with a .txt file
    I'm a fan of Org Mode with Emacs [0] and using the app BeOrg [1] on my iPhone. I have 3 main task files: - todo.org for things I need to do - backlog.org for things that I don't have to do now but should do in the future - inbox.org for any random ideas or notes The concept of an Inbox was taken straight from Getting Things Done [2]. I have different searches set up in BeOrg so that it is easy to view tasks from... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Ask HN: How do you store the knowledge gained in a day?
    TIP: When asking for advice in relation to knowledge management, note-taking, etc., be sure to ask for precise details regarding commenters' solutions. There are many people who participate in these discussions who don't seem to take a lot of notes (e.g., one file or paper notepad for all of their notes!). I have a personal knowledge base that currently includes almost 7,000 files in which I store my notes. I take... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Static Site (not blog) Generator?
    My favorite static site generator is Org mode[1] for Emacs. Org files are written using a feature-rich lightweight markup language[2] that is much more powerful than Markdown (e.g., plain text spreadsheets). Org files can be exported to HTML[3]. The reason I prefer Org for static site generation is not because I already use Emacs. I actually started using Emacs about 20 years ago specifically to use Org mode. [1]... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Reinventing notebooks as reusable Python programs
    "until recently, Jupyter notebooks were the only programming environment that let you see your data while you worked on it." This is false. Org-mode has had this functionality for over two decades. https://orgmode.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Emacs 2024 Changes
    Work - I use org-mode heavily for my personal project management and note keeping. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • My 2024 review
    While embracing analog tools, I've also refined my digital organization using ORG mode in Emacs. The system has evolved to become more structured and efficient. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • (Game)Dev with Emacs - Because it's not Already Hard Enough Without it
    Org mode. Org mode is just great for taking notes and organizing tasks. I might write a post on it one day. If you're interested, check out Org Mode in the mean time. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Information flow - how I capture the notes
    Orgmode seems to be a big change after using Notion. However, I fell in love with Emacs, so I Wanted to use all the best things. It was easy to set up org-agenda, org-roam, etc. Unfortunately, after a while, I noticed that using a non-standard system(not Markdown) could impact my note-sharing capabilities, as well my ~work~ docs were mostly built with Markdown. So, a note system that uses Markdown. Also, I... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Has Anyone Trained a personal LLM using their personal notes?
    - or to visualize and use it as a personal partner. There's already a ton of open-source UIs such as Chatbot-ui[3] and Reor[4]. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Personally, I haven't been consistent enough through the years in note-taking. So, I'm really curious to learn more about those of you who were and implemented such pipelines. I'm sure there's a ton of really fascinating experiences. [1]... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • My productivity app is a never-ending .txt file
    Obligatory reference to Emacs Org-Mode [1]. Author's approach is basically Org-Mode with fewer helpers. Org-mode's power is that, at core, it's just a text file, with gradual augmentation. Then again, Org-Mode is a tool you must install, accessible through a limited list of clients (Emacs obviously, but also VSCode), and the power of OP's approach is that it requires no external tools. [1] https://orgmode.org. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Show HN: Heynote โ€“ A Dedicated Scratchpad for Developers
    This reminds me a lot of [Org Mode](https://orgmode.org/). Do you have plans to add other org-like features, like evaluating code blocks? I don't personally see myself moving away from org-mode, but it would be nice to have something to recommend to people who are reluctant to use emacs, even if it's only for a single application. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • How to combine daily journal with general database of people, places, things, etc.
    If you want to spare a couple of detours, you probably could start with Emacs Org-mode according to Greenspun's eleventh rule: "Any sufficiently complicated PIM or note-taking program contains an ad hoc, informally specified, bug-ridden, slow implementation of half of Org mode.". Source: over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Local Wysiwyg HTML Editor for Mac
    Wow, no one has recommended Org mode (https://orgmode.org). I started using Emacs nearly 20 years ago specifically because of Org. I use Org for all my static sites, note taking, to-do lists and calendar. Org has a lightweight markup language that has far more features than Markdown (e.g., plain text spreadsheets!), but the markup isn't visible to the extent that Markdown is in most editors. Emacs with Org files... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Think in Analog, Capture in Digital
    Just another reason for one to get into org-mode[1] and org-roam[2]. Combine this with the concept of Zettelkasten[3] and you have a wonderful way to organize and store all your notes and writings, and even a way to know at what point you should move your idea from analog to digital (based on it's maturity, e.g. "evergreen state"). 1. https://orgmode.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Not trying to start a rumble, but why emacs
    This can be done most comfortably with org-mode in emacs. It offers a lot of features, and they all operate on plain text. There are also nice integrations for git and languagetool, but I guess those are less exclusive. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Standard Notes or Notesnook?
    As another alternative you can try org-mode ๐Ÿค”. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Useful programs
    Org Mode. I can export my notes to LaTeX or HTML and keep things tidy in a zettelkasten with org-roam. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • A Markdown first, TypeScript alternative to Jupiter
    (If you're into some more details my inspirations is closer to org-mode and org-babel rather than Jupiter, but defers by targeting a wider user group than just emacs users). Source: almost 3 years ago
  • What should I use to take notes in college?
    I'm also going to study this year an I'm going to use Arch + Emacs + orgmode which is builtin to emacs. Source: almost 3 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Org mode

Org mode, a powerful extension for the Emacs text editor, is a prominent tool within the task management, project management, and note-taking spaces. The public opinion on Org mode, derived from recent discussions and product mentions, reflects a diverse set of views that highlight both its strengths and perceived limitations.

Key Strengths

Org mode is celebrated for its versatility and depth of features. Users frequently praise its robust handling of plain text, which allows for complex structures such as plain text spreadsheets and dynamic programming code execution, making it more versatile than traditional markdown-based note-taking systems. This functionality, combined with its ability to export to multiple formats like HTML and LaTeX, positions Org mode as a strong competitor in the static site generation domain.

One of the notable advantages of Org mode lies in its integration with Emacs, which offers unparalleled customizability. Many users have shared stories of adopting Emacs specifically to leverage Org mode, mentioning how it has transformed their productivity, project management, and personal knowledge management endeavors. Its ability to maintain a hierarchical organization of notes and tasks is another frequently lauded feature, drawing parallels to sophisticated systems like Zettelkasten.

Limitations and Challenges

While its feature set is impressive, Org mode is not without its challenges. A significant barrier to adoption is its steep learning curve and dependency on Emacs, a tool not universally welcomed by all users. This association means users who are unfamiliar with or uninterested in Emacs may be hesitant to make the transition. Furthermore, the lack of a standardized format like markdown poses challenges for users who require seamless integration with other modern note-taking applications and collaboration platforms.

Users transitioning from visually-oriented tools like Microsoft OneNote express a longing for richer multimedia support, such as managing images and sketches, akin to those available in OneNote environments. Additionally, some users point out the need for better mobile support, as Emacs-centric workflows inherently struggle with cross-platform usability.

Community and Evolution

The community surrounding Org mode is passionate and deeply engaged, often discussing enhancements and sharing their personalized workflows. There is a clear appreciation for Org modeโ€™s ability to support a developer-oriented note-taking style, often integrating programming and data analysis directly within their notesโ€”a feature highlighted as being mature long before the advent of interactive notebook environments like Jupyter.

In conclusion, Org mode remains a polarizing yet powerful tool in the realm of note-taking and task management. Its strong suits lie in its flexibility, customizability, and rich feature set, enabling users to craft sophisticated workflows. However, its reliance on Emacs and a less ubiquitous format than markdown present obstacles to mass adoption. As users continue to explore and converse about Org mode, it is likely to inspire new innovations within the software ecosystem, even as its community navigates the balance between niche power and broader appeal.

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Is Org mode good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Org mode here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.