DeveloPassion's Newsletter 190 - Knowledge playground
A newsletter discussing Knowledge Management, Knowledge Work, Zen Productivity, Personal Organization, and more!
Hello everyone! I’m Sébastien Dubois, your host. You’re receiving this email because you signed up for DeveloPassion’s Newsletter. Thank you for being here with me ✨
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Welcome
Another week, another newsletter! I hope that you all had a great one 🤩
I've been quite busy these past weeks. After enjoying a well-deserved break during the Carnival celebrations (though I was completely exhausted afterward!), I've been diving back into course creation. I'm currently recording the last module of my Knowledge Management for Beginners course. It's exciting to see this big project of mine nearing completion. Module 8 covers going further with your knowledge system. It explores advanced topics including how to leverage your knowledge base with various Large Language Models (LLMs) (i.e., GenAI) and various AI tools.
Beyond course creation, I've made some business updates, including introducing installment payment options for my products and adjusting some pricing. I've also been enjoying some beautiful spring weather with bike rides and walks, which has been refreshing after the winter months.
Alright, let's gooooo 🚀
Before You Go Any Further
I want to reach more people. Got 60 seconds? Then share the link with one friend/colleague who would benefit from joining us!
This Week's Highlights
- Currently recording module 8 of Knowledge Management for Beginners about advanced PKM techniques and AI
- Published "Beyond Note-Taking - Creating a Playground for Your Mind"
- Exploring new tools like Mistral OCR and Claude Code
The Lab 🧪
My Knowledge Management for Beginners course is moving ahead nicely. I'm currently busy recording module 8, which covers exciting topics like how to leverage your knowledge base with AI, using live queries, going visual with your notes, exploiting serendipity, managing projects, and more. After this, I'll move on to the final editing step before publishing the course.
The final module is particularly exciting as it dives deep into how to leverage modern AI tools with your knowledge system. I'm covering everything from integrating various LLMs (like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to local AI options, specialized plugins, and even the Model Context Protocol (MCP). The goal isn't to replace your thinking but to enhance your capabilities and save time.
🔥 Ready to master Knowledge Management? Pre-order my comprehensive course now and transform how you capture, organize, and leverage information! You'll get the lowest possible price, early access when it launches, and exclusive bonuses.
Pre-order Knowledge Management for Beginners Today →
The course is perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by information and wanting to build a system that actually works. Whether you're a knowledge worker, content creator, or lifelong learner, you'll discover practical techniques to:
- Build a personalized knowledge system
- Capture information efficiently
- Organize notes that actually serve you
- Connect ideas for deeper insights
- Turn knowledge into valuable output
Don't miss out on the pre-order price – it will increase after launch!
Knowledge Playground
Most people think of note-taking as a static, boring activity – they write something down and then... that's it. It sits there, unused, gathering digital dust.
But what if your notes could become something more dynamic? What if your knowledge system could be a playground for your mind?
This is exactly what I explored in my latest article about going beyond traditional note-taking. The most powerful knowledge systems aren't just storage containers – they're interactive environments where ideas collide, connect, and transform.
When you create a knowledge playground, several things happen:
- Your notes become interactive rather than static
- You gain the ability to query and recombine ideas in unexpected ways
- Visual thinking opens up new dimensions for creativity
- Serendipitous connections lead to breakthrough insights
- Your system evolves alongside your thinking
This approach transforms the way you interact with information. Instead of merely capturing it, you're actively playing with it – reshaping it, connecting it, and letting it inspire new directions of thought.
For knowledge workers especially, this shift from passive collection to active exploration is crucial. It's the difference between having a knowledge archive and having a knowledge laboratory.
Have you transformed your note-taking system into something more dynamic? I'd love to hear about your experiences.
Read the full article here:
Sebastien Dubois
Weekly Challenge
This week, try adding one playful element to your knowledge management system. This could be:
- Creating a visual map of related ideas
- Setting up a random note generator to surface forgotten insights
- Establishing a daily query that shows you connections you hadn't noticed
- Using an AI tool to help you see patterns in your notes
Remember, the goal isn't more complexity – it's to make your system more alive and interactive.
Quotes of the Week
- One of the secrets to staying young is to always do things you don’t know how to do, to keep learning
- Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking around and prying with a purpose
- You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time
- The more notes and links you have in your knowledge base, the more possible path you can create. The number of paths grows exponentially as you add more notes and links
New & Interesting Links
PKM / Tools for Thought
- An interesting overview of how to leverage knowledge in your Obsidian notes with Claude using the Model Context Protocol (MCP): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH-ZL6sC_vU
- Introduction to Obsidian through the Feynman technique – A fresh approach to learning Obsidian through teaching concepts
- How to organize your notes in Obsidian – Practical organization strategies
- Converting PDFs to Markdown using Mistral OCR – A powerful new tool for getting text into your system
- True transclusion in Obsidian: True transclusion in Obsidian: https://medium.com/workings/true-transclusion-in-obsidian-6d2e05235bd
- Password-protected notes in Obsidian – For your sensitive information
- Projects and goals in Obsidian – Transform your system into a productivity hub
- The rabbit hole of Obsidian: https://medium.com/obsidian-observer/the-rabbit-hole-of-obsidian-c4cad3394e76
- Apple Widgets for Obsidian – Access your notes from your home screen
AI Tools
- How Simon Willison uses LLMs to write code: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Mar/11/using-llms-for-code
- Microsoft's Responsible AI Standard – Framework for ethical AI development
- Claude Voice capture extension – Speak to Claude directly
- Anthropic's Citations API announcement – Making AI responses more reliable
- AI Automation platform: Lindy.ai – Building AI workflows
- Data Engineering handbook – Comprehensive guide to data engineering
About Sébastien
I am Sébastien Dubois. You can follow me on X 🐦 and on BlueSky 🦋.
I am an author, founder, and coach. I write books and articles about Knowledge Work, Personal Knowledge Management, Note-taking, Lifelong Learning, Personal Organization, and Zen Productivity. I also craft lovely digital products . You can learn more about my projects here.
If you want to follow my work, then become a member.
Ready to get to the next level?
To embark on your Knowledge Management journey, consider investing in resources that will equip you with the tools and strategies you need. Check out the Obsidian Starter Kit and the accompanying video course. It will give you a rock-solid starting point for your note-taking and Knowledge Management efforts.
If you want to take a more holistic approach, then the Knowledge Worker Kit is for you. It covers PKM, but expands into productivity, personal organization, project/task management, and more:
If you are in a hurry, then do not hesitate to book a coaching session with me:
