I've been experimenting with various text editors like Vim, Vi, Nano, Notepad, VSCode, and MassCode over the years. As a sysadmin, I often find myself needing to document my actions in detail, including code snippets or stack traces. While Notepad and Vi have served me okay on different machines, I'm looking for something more suitable. Ideally, I want a notepad tool that allows for easy code formatting, automatically logs time (like a chat app), and supports step-by-step documentation. Bonus points if it's open-source and free!
5 Answers
Notepad++ is a decent option, though it might not check all your boxes. It supports plugins, which could potentially extend its functionality for your needs.
I personally prefer Notion since I can incorporate everything from screenshots to tables, and even different types of media. It gives you a lot of flexibility for documenting your work as a sysadmin.
It really comes down to what you're focusing on. Notepad++ is great for syntax highlighting and coding on the fly, but if you need something that documents processes better, you might look into tools designed for tracking operations or creating workflows, like yED for visual documentation. It can really help your team visualize how everything flows.
I totally get that! I use Dokuwiki for organizing my thoughts too. It could be a little tricky if you're looking for time-logging though.
If you're looking for something fun, try using VS Code with Jupyter Notebooks. It might do exactly what you’re looking for by allowing detailed documentation alongside your code!
You might want to check out Obsidian! It’s got a ton of features and plugins that let you customize it to suit your style. Plus, everything is in markdown, which is super versatile. You can even link your notes together, making it easier to navigate your documentation.
Totally agree about Obsidian! It allows linking notes, and you can backup your markdown files to GitHub if needed, which adds to its value.
Notion's a great choice! I used to self-host Bookstack, but really appreciate the cloud access now... Makes things so much easier and accessible.