I've been looking at the subscription software I use. The evaluation process is not as straightforward as I thought it was going to be!

So I'm looking into the concept of ownership. What does it really means when the things you rely on don't exist in any tactile sense? My Meema's house holds some clues.

Medium (includes blog post link) https://miscellaneplans.medium.com/what-meemas-1940s-cottage-taught-me-about-software-subscriptions-dbbf30458725
Blog https://ellanew.com/2026/03/30/ptpl-201-meemas-1940s-house-software-subscriptions

#ptpl #history #apps #adelaide #saas

Could you complete your work today if your usual apps were inaccessible?

Here's a wake up call to store your work in open formats, even if (actually, especially if) you are required to use closed format apps to do your daily work.

Follow principles that give you the freedom to throw your kit into another vehicle and continue driving to your destination. Don’t get locked out of a vehicle you don't own, into which you've bolted the only copies of your work.

#ptpl #apps
https://miscellaneplans.medium.com/own-your-work-not-just-the-app-b27ea4380010

Added a new page on my website for the 1-P (one page notebook). Added photos of some of my latest 1-Ps to hit the archive.

Coming soon: a resource on this simplest of notebooks, including templates for people who want a bit more structure.

#analog #PTPL #productivity #1-P

https://ellanew.com/1-P

This week: 2 links and 1 idea to inject some joy (and focus) into your plain notes. No AI, no plugins, just good aesthetics and smart strategies.

(The #Obsidian embedded queries guide is still in the works, coming soon)

#PTPL #PlainText #MacOS #design

Blog link is on the first line: https://medium.com/@miscellaneplans/ptpl-195-2-links-and-1-idea-to-make-plain-notes-more-enjoyable-5e4b1c18e33c

This week: Do you append or prepend your daily notes? Even if you're using a new file each day, do multiple entries go at the top or bottom?

No more appending for me!

And I'm pleased that at last I know what input belongs in my notes, tasks, and time files. Defining scope is vital.

#ptpl #obsidian #productivity #PlainTextPlanner

Blog link is in the first line, here:
https://medium.com/p/6cb9cc97aefa

The biggest thing I want to do on my phone, after making calls, sending messages, and taking pictures, is to quickly write notes that I can reliably refer to on any other device.

The tools I use to do that are Drafts, Journelly, and Obsidian. In today’s post I tell you why I like each, and compare them all at the end.

@xenodium @drafts @obsidian

#ptpl #apps #iOS #iPhone #productivity #obsidian

Blog link is on the first line here: https://medium.com/@miscellaneplans/ptpl-192-how-drafts-and-journelly-get-quick-iphone-notes-onto-my-mac-and-into-obsidian-59c3c86cd1ff

This week: How would you answer these questions posed by plain text guru, Scott Nesbitt? (He no longer maintains his website, sadly.)

Question 7: Is there one tool you can't do without?

Join the fun by tagging your answers #WhyPlainText, and mention me (@ellane)

#PTPL #PlainText

https://miscellaneplans.medium.com/ptpl-192-answer-these-eight-questions-about-your-plain-text-files-3497bc4b6761 (includes blog post link)

Last week I wrote about how visually simplifying the way I use plain text, has been good for my brain. This week I show 6 or so ways to make plain text look …better.

Because of course plain text is boring! The *right* kind.

These tips can help when you're certain you are either pursuing clarity or focus-friendly self-expression, and not falling into distraction mode.

#PlainText #obsidian #PTPL

https://medium.com/@miscellaneplans/plain-text-doesnt-have-to-be-ugly-it-just-has-to-stay-boring-in-the-right-ways-644e74e2cf27 (Contains blog post link)

Finding my old plain text files reminded me that visual simplicity isn't boring—it's relief for a highly distractible brain trying to stay on task.

Includes an evolution from calendar.txt to planner.md as a case study, where I had to define what the file was actually *for*, and make decisions on what did and did not belong there.

#PTPL #PlainTextPlanner #PlainText #productivity #minimalism #adhd

Medium (includes blog link) https://miscellaneplans.medium.com/finding-my-old-plain-text-files-reminded-me-that-visual-simplicity-isnt-boring-it-s-a-relief-414b2491afa6