[mcgrath_sh]

I am an avid user of markdown files for notes that are saved in a Dropbox folder. I am quite happy with my setup and it works across any platform. That said, if there was an objectively perfect note taking system that worked on every platform, I would have to consider it.

However, I would never rent note taking software. Notes are much too valuable to just have an app/website shut off one day. I want to own the app so that if my system state does not change, I can continue to use it indefinitely. My price range would be somewhere around $50-75 every 18-24 months. I think of utility software like a drill from Home Depot. I expect software to run for 18-24 months and if it breaks after that period, it is up to me to revert to a system the drill works on or buy a new drill. 18-24 months feels like a reasonable timeframe to me. Essentially, it is a tool with a two year warranty.

In addition to valuing ownership of the software, I also value ownership of the data. I (or a different 3rd party I am comfortable with) would absolutely have to be in control of the sync process. Ideally, it would be a folder we can stick in any old cloud service. I value both the data that is in those notes and my privacy too much to trust any random sync provider. I would also prefer either a standard format or a well documented storage format (like Quiver has done) and a way to get my notes out of the app into a reasonable format.

Apologies if this comes across as an attack on your idea. I just wanted to voice my opinion as I have dropped 3-5 pieces of software in the last 18 months due to a combination of moving to SaaS and/or forcing me to use/pay for their sync services.