Obsidian - Detailed Review
Research Tools
Obsidian - Product Overview
Primary Function
Obsidian is designed to help users organize and structure their thoughts and knowledge in a flexible, non-linear way. It operates on Markdown files, allowing users to create, link, and visualize their notes efficiently.Target Audience
Obsidian is primarily aimed at individuals who need a robust note-taking and knowledge management system. This includes students, researchers, writers, and professionals seeking to manage their notes and ideas effectively. The application is also suitable for businesses, with commercial licenses available for organizational use.Key Features
Note Management
Obsidian allows users to create new notes, which are stored as text documents in a “vault.” These notes can be formatted using Markdown, enabling features like headers, images, tables, and code snippets. Users can also insert links, tags, and embeds such as YouTube videos and PDFs.Internal Linking and Graph View
One of the standout features of Obsidian is its ability to create internal links between notes, which can be visualized as a graph. This graph view helps users see the relationships between their notes, making it easier to connect and organize their thoughts.Customization and Plugins
Obsidian is highly customizable through plugins and themes. There are core plugins maintained by the Obsidian team and community plugins available through GitHub. These plugins can add features like Kanban boards, calendar widgets, and task management, enhancing the overall functionality of the application.AI Integration
With plugins like Smart Connections, Obsidian can leverage AI technology to suggest relevant notes based on the user’s current context and even enable conversations with notes using AI chat models. This enhances creativity and productivity by highlighting connections that might otherwise be overlooked.Cross-Platform Compatibility
Obsidian is built on the Electron framework, making it compatible with desktop operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS, as well as mobile operating systems such as Android and iOS.Offline and Sync Capabilities
Obsidian has a local-first approach, allowing users to store and access their notes offline. There is also an optional sync feature that enables users to synchronize their notes across different devices, although this requires a subscription. Overall, Obsidian offers a flexible, feature-rich environment for managing notes and knowledge, making it a valuable tool for individuals and organizations seeking to organize and connect their ideas effectively. Obsidian - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Obsidian
The user interface of Obsidian is renowned for its simplicity, intuitiveness, and visual appeal, making it an excellent choice for various uses within the research tools category.
Visual Appeal and Customization
Obsidian boasts a visually appealing interface that is easy to pick up and use without much guidance. The app offers over 160 community-created themes that can be installed and used immediately, allowing users to personalize their experience to their liking.
Markdown-Based Note-Taking
Obsidian uses Markdown for note-taking, which is straightforward to learn and use. Users can create paragraphs by inserting a blank line, and the app treats pressing Enter as a continuation of the same paragraph. This makes formatting notes intuitive and efficient.
Font and Display Customization
Users have the flexibility to adjust font sizes and other display settings under the Appearance option, even on mobile devices. This ensures that the interface remains comfortable and readable across different platforms.
Links and Graph View
One of the standout features of Obsidian is its linking capability, which allows users to create direct connections between notes. This feature is particularly useful for research and knowledge management, as it enables users to reference and navigate related content easily. The Graph view provides a visual map of these interconnected notes, offering a unique perspective on the user’s knowledge base and helping to organize and map ideas effectively.
Canvas Feature
The Canvas feature in Obsidian is a flexible space where users can visually organize their thoughts and notes. Similar to tools like Figma, users can arrange text boxes, images, and other media in any layout they prefer. This feature is highly useful for brainstorming and visually connecting ideas.
Plugin Ecosystem
Obsidian’s extensive plugin ecosystem allows for significant customization. Users can install plugins to add features such as Kanban boards for project management, automations to streamline workflows, and more. While this flexibility is a major advantage, it also means that customization can be time-consuming.
Ease of Use
The interface is generally easy to use, even for those who are not tech-savvy. However, for users who want to make advanced aesthetic changes, some familiarity with HTML and CSS can be beneficial, although it is not necessary for basic use.
Cross-Device Compatibility
Obsidian offers native mobile and tablet apps for iOS and Android, ensuring that users can access and edit their notes seamlessly across different devices. This cross-device compatibility enhances the overall user experience by providing consistent access to notes and features regardless of the device being used.
Security
While Obsidian provides options like end-to-end encryption for vaults, users are responsible for maintaining their own security, such as safely storing encryption passwords. This aspect, while important, does not complicate the user interface but requires user attention.
Conclusion
In summary, Obsidian’s user interface is user-friendly, visually appealing, and highly customizable. It offers a range of features that make it suitable for various applications, from personal note-taking to complex project management, all while maintaining a clutter-free and intuitive design.
Obsidian - Key Features and Functionality
### Obsidian and Its AI-Driven Features Obsidian, a markdown-based note-taking application, offers several key features that are particularly enhanced by AI-driven tools, making it a powerful tool for research and knowledge management. ### Links and Graph View Obsidian allows users to create direct connections between notes using its linking feature. This enables easy referencing and navigation of related content, similar to reference links in a research paper but on a larger scale. The Graph view provides a visual map of these interconnected notes, helping users see relationships and organize ideas effectively. This feature is beneficial for brainstorming and mapping out concepts visually. ### AI Assistant Plugin The AI Assistant plugin integrates AI models like OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, DALL·E2, and Whisper directly into Obsidian. Here are some key functions: #### Text Assistant Users can interact with the AI in Chat Mode or Prompt Mode to generate content, summarize text, format it, or ask questions. #### Image Generation Generate images for notes using DALL·E2. #### Speech-to-Text Dictate notes using Whisper, which transcribes speech to text in real-time. ### CoPilot Plugin The CoPilot plugin is another AI-powered tool that enhances note management: #### AI-Assisted Editing CoPilot offers features like summarizing, shortening, expanding, and fixing grammar for selected text. Users can right-click or use keyboard shortcuts to access these options. #### Custom Prompts Users can create custom AI prompts saved as Obsidian notes with placeholders, allowing for flexible application across different texts. #### Vault Q&A This feature indexes all notes for semantic search, enabling users to ask questions and receive answers based on their own knowledge base. It also supports including links to notes and PDFs in the search. ### Smart Connections Plugin Smart Connections is an AI-powered plugin focused on semantic search and note discovery: – It helps users find similar notes within their vault quickly, even when working offline. – While it is free and efficient, its implementation is somewhat limited compared to other plugins like CoPilot. ### Text Generator Plugin The Text Generator plugin, often used in conjunction with local inference servers like LM Studio, allows users to generate content within their Obsidian vault. For example, it can generate lists of activities or summaries on research topics by leveraging models like Gemma 2 27B. This plugin uses retrieval-augmented generation to provide relevant information from the user’s notes. ### Sync and Publish Features While not directly AI-driven, these features are crucial for overall productivity: #### Obsidian Sync Offers end-to-end encrypted synchronization of notes across devices, ensuring secure and consistent access to data. #### Obsidian Publish Allows users to share their notes and knowledge bases publicly through a customizable website, complete with hosting, SEO, and mobile performance optimization. These AI-integrated features in Obsidian significantly enhance the user’s ability to organize, search, and generate content within their notes, making it an invaluable tool for researchers, academics, and anyone looking to manage complex knowledge bases efficiently.
Obsidian - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Obsidian generally performs well, even with large volumes of data. For instance, a test involving loading 2459 full-text books and generating 565 full-book literature notes with over 161,000 block references showed that Obsidian handled this volume smoothly. The editing experience, including highlighting paragraphs and referencing chapters, remained efficient.
Users with substantial vaults, such as one with 8,641 `.md` files and over 922,000 words, have reported good performance on relatively older hardware. Search functions, file opening, and typing experiences were all described as quick and seamless.
Obsidian’s performance is also influenced by the hardware it runs on. Using an SSD drive significantly improves performance compared to an HDD, and the application’s memory usage is relatively low, especially considering it is an Electron app.
Accuracy
In terms of accuracy, Obsidian’s search and linking features are highly reliable. The application allows for precise searching and referencing of specific paragraphs or chapters within large documents. However, there are some limitations; for example, the block reference feature can be less effective when the title of the document is unknown, requiring a search to locate the specific paragraph.
AI Integration
The integration of AI models through plugins, such as the AI Research Assistant, enhances Obsidian’s capabilities. This plugin allows users to interact with AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, generate images with DALL·E2, and use speech-to-text with Whisper. These features are integrated seamlessly into the note-taking process, enabling users to generate content, summarize text, and more directly within their notes.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Learning Curve
One of the main limitations of Obsidian is its learning curve, particularly for new users. The extensive use of links, graphs, and plugin options can feel overwhelming. However, engaging with the active Obsidian community and using available resources can help mitigate this issue.
Handling Large Datasets
Another area for improvement is the handling of very large numbers of block references. While Obsidian performs well with chapter headings, the same discovery feature for block references can be less effective with extremely large datasets.
Collaboration Features
Additionally, Obsidian lacks built-in collaboration features, which might be a drawback for users who need to work with others. However, for personal note-taking, journaling, or project management, Obsidian remains highly effective.
Conclusion
In summary, Obsidian demonstrates strong performance and accuracy, especially when used on appropriate hardware and with an understanding of its features. While it has some limitations, particularly in handling very large datasets and collaboration, it remains a powerful and customizable tool for note-taking and research.
Obsidian - Pricing and Plans
Obsidian Pricing Structure
Obsidian’s pricing structure is designed to be flexible and user-friendly, catering to various needs and usage scenarios. Here’s a breakdown of the different plans and features:
Free Plan
Obsidian is free to use for personal and non-commercial purposes. This plan includes all core features such as:
- Note-taking and organization
- Markdown support
- Themes and plugins
- API access
- Community support
There is no need for an account or sign-up, and users can enjoy full functionality without any cost.
Commercial Use
For commercial use, which includes revenue-generating or work-related activities within a for-profit organization with two or more employees, there is a yearly fee of $50 per user. This plan includes:
- Commercial use license
- 14-day free trial
- Priority support
Government departments and agencies are also considered commercial use unless registered as non-profit organizations.
Sync Add-on
The Sync service allows users to synchronize their notes across devices. There are two tiers for syncing:
Sync (Standard)
- $4 per user per month (billed annually)
- Includes end-to-end encryption
- Version history
- Cross-platform functionality
- Limited to specific metrics such as the number of synced vaults, total storage space, maximum file size, and length of retained versions.
Sync (Plus)
- $8 per user per month (billed annually)
- Offers more extensive capabilities compared to the Standard Sync tier, including more storage space, larger file sizes, and longer version history retention.
Publish Add-on
The Publish service enables users to publish their notes to the web:
- $8 per site per month (billed annually)
- Hosting for up to 4 GB
- Customizable theme and domain
- Priority email support
- SEO and mobile performance
- Features like hover previews, graph views, stacked pages, and backlinks.
Catalyst Program
This program is for enthusiasts who want to support Obsidian’s development further:
- A one-time payment of $25
- Early access to beta versions
- Special community badges
- Access to a VIP channel on Obsidian’s Discord server
This program helps keep Obsidian 100% user-supported and free from investor influence.
Discounts and Refunds
- Students, faculty members, and nonprofit employees are eligible for a 40% discount on Obsidian Sync and Publish services.
- Full refunds are available within 7 days of purchase for commercial licenses, Obsidian Publish, and Obsidian Sync. However, Catalyst licenses and Obsidian Credit are non-refundable.
This structure allows users to choose the features and services that best fit their needs, whether for personal or commercial use.
Obsidian - Integration and Compatibility
Obsidian Overview
Obsidian, a popular note-taking and writing application, offers a wide range of integrations and compatibility across various platforms and devices, making it a versatile tool for different needs.Platform Compatibility
Obsidian is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. This broad compatibility ensures that users can access and sync their notes across all their devices.Sync Capabilities
Obsidian Sync is a feature that allows users to synchronize their notes, images, and configuration files across all their devices. This service supports syncing additional file types such as PDFs, audio files, and video files, and it offers up to 100 GB of storage depending on the chosen plan.Integrations with Other Tools
Obsidian integrates with several other tools and services to enhance its functionality:Excalidraw
Excalidraw is an open-source collaborative virtual whiteboard that integrates with Obsidian, allowing users to create hand-drawn diagrams directly within their notes. It is end-to-end encrypted and offers a free version without the need for a sign-up.Morgen
Morgen integrates Obsidian with various calendar services, including Google, Apple, Outlook, and more. This integration allows users to plan and time-block tasks from their Obsidian vault directly into their calendar. It supports features like drag-and-drop task scheduling, automatic task status updates, and mobile reminders.FlowShare
FlowShare, though not exclusively an Obsidian integration, can be used in conjunction with Obsidian to document and guide users through complex tasks. It records steps taken in any software and generates detailed guides, which can be useful for training and troubleshooting.Generative AI Tools
Obsidian supports community-developed plug-ins that connect to local inferencing servers like LM Studio. Plug-ins such as Text Generator and Smart Connections use generative AI to generate content, answer questions, and provide information from the user’s notes. These plug-ins leverage AI models to enhance productivity and workflow.Self-Hosting Options
For users who prefer self-hosting their sync solution, Obsidian offers the LiveSync plugin, which uses CouchDB to sync data across devices. This option is simpler than using external apps like Syncthing and Möbius, especially for those with existing server infrastructure.Conclusion
In summary, Obsidian’s integrations and compatibility make it a highly adaptable tool for note-taking, task management, and content generation, suitable for a wide range of users across different platforms and devices. Obsidian - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options for Obsidian
When using Obsidian, a note-taking and research tool, there are several customer support options and additional resources available to help you make the most of the product.Priority Email Support
For users with an Obsidian Sync subscription or other commercial services, Obsidian offers priority email support. You can reach out to the support team via the email addresssupport@obsidian.md. Typically, you can expect a response within 3 business days. This support is limited to inquiries about commercial licenses, your account, payment, and add-on services like Obsidian Sync and Obsidian Publish.
Community and Forums
The Obsidian community is very active and supportive. The official Obsidian Forum is a great place to ask questions, share knowledge, and get help from other users and sometimes even the developers themselves. Many common issues are addressed quickly through the forum, even if they don’t involve commercial aspects.Documentation and Help Resources
Obsidian provides extensive documentation and help resources on their website. These resources cover various aspects of using the app, from basic setup to advanced features. However, if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the documentation, the email support or forums are good alternatives.Plugins and Community-Driven Tools
Obsidian has a vibrant ecosystem of plugins and community-driven tools that can enhance your experience. For example, the “Smart Connections” plugin integrates AI technology, allowing you to have dynamic conversations with your notes and discover related notes based on your current activity. This plugin is supported through its GitHub page, where you can find troubleshooting guides and community feedback.Additional Resources
For more specialized use cases, such as qualitative analysis, users have shared their own setups and methods. For instance, there are downloadable vaults and guides on using Obsidian for Grounded Field Theory-based analysis of qualitative data, which can be very helpful for research purposes.Conclusion
In summary, Obsidian provides a combination of email support for commercial users, a supportive community through forums, extensive documentation, and a range of community-driven plugins and resources to help you get the most out of the product. Obsidian - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Productivity and Organization
Obsidian is highly effective in boosting productivity by allowing you to keep all your notes and ideas in one place. Its organizational structure helps you stay focused on tasks and improve overall efficiency.Linking and Networking
One of the standout features of Obsidian is its ability to create connections between different notes through bidirectional linking. This feature, enhanced by AI, suggests links between your notes, helping you discover new connections and foster a network of knowledge.Customization
Obsidian offers a highly customizable interface, allowing you to set up your workspace to suit your workflow. This includes the use of plugins, which can add various functionalities such as task management, habit tracking, and even coding.AI Integration
The AI Research Assistant plugin and Obsidian AI features integrate advanced AI tools, enabling you to manage conversations with AI models, save and organize these interactions, and even swap models mid-conversation. This enhances your note-editing experience and helps in generating ideas and discovering new connections.Visual Tools
Obsidian includes features like the Canvas and Graph View, which allow you to visualize and manipulate your notes. The AI-enhanced versions of these tools highlight important connections and help in organizing thoughts and developing new ideas.Collaboration
Obsidian supports real-time collaboration, allowing you to share and work on notes with others, similar to Google Docs but with the added features of Obsidian.Disadvantages
Learning Curve
Obsidian has a steep learning curve due to its advanced features and the need to learn markdown syntax and possibly YAML for some plugins. This can be overwhelming for new users and requires dedication and practice to become proficient.Maintenance
To keep your knowledge base effective, Obsidian requires regular maintenance and organization of notes, which can be time-consuming and may not be suitable for those with limited time.Markdown and YAML
The reliance on markdown files and the need to use YAML for some advanced features can be a hurdle for users unfamiliar with these formats. This can add to the initial frustration and learning time.Mobile App Limitations
Currently, Obsidian’s mobile app is in beta and offers limited functionality compared to the desktop version, which can be a drawback for users who need to access their notes on the go.Dependency on Local Files
Some users may find the reliance on local markdown files less convenient compared to cloud-based note-taking solutions, which can be more accessible across different devices. By weighing these pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether Obsidian aligns with your note-taking and research needs. Obsidian - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Obsidian AI
- Internal Linking and Visual Graph: Obsidian AI excels in automatically suggesting links between notes, creating a visual graph that highlights important connections. This feature helps users discover surprising connections between their ideas.
- Canvas and Note Organization: The Canvas feature in Obsidian AI acts as a giant whiteboard where users can arrange notes and ideas, create presentations, and mind maps. This enhances the organization and development of thoughts.
- Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: With over 1000 plugins available, Obsidian AI integrates well with various tools, allowing users to track habits, manage tasks, and even write code.
- Collaboration: Obsidian AI enables real-time collaboration on notes, similar to Google Docs, making it useful for team projects and shared research.
Alternatives and Comparisons
Notion
Notion is a versatile tool that offers advanced features for complex data management and customization. Here are some key differences:
- Cloud-Based and Collaboration: Notion includes cloud storage and collaboration features in its basic plan, whereas Obsidian requires paid add-ons for these functionalities.
- AI Integration: Notion has built-in AI tools for writing, brainstorming, and workflow management, which might be more comprehensive than Obsidian’s AI features.
LitMaps, Inciteful, and Connected Papers
These tools are specifically designed for literature reviews and research:
- LitMaps: Uses a single relevant paper to generate a visual literature map, helping users explore related articles. This is more specialized than Obsidian’s general note-linking feature.
- Inciteful: Provides related papers to key articles and illustrates their connections, which is similar to Obsidian’s graph view but focused on academic literature.
- Connected Papers: Offers unlimited use with an academic subscription and generates graphs showing the connections between papers, similar to Obsidian’s visual graph but tailored for academic research.
Elicit and ChatGPT
These tools are more focused on research assistance and brainstorming:
- Elicit: Acts as an AI research assistant, returning related questions, subject headings, and keywords to optimize database searching. This is more specialized in research query optimization compared to Obsidian’s general note management.
- ChatGPT: While not a note-taking tool, ChatGPT can help with brainstorming, outlining papers, and generating prompts. However, it is not integrated into a note-taking system like Obsidian AI.
Consensus
Consensus is an AI-powered academic search engine that provides precise insights from over 200 million peer-reviewed papers. It offers features like the Consensus Meter and advanced filters, making it highly specialized for literature reviews and academic research. This is different from Obsidian’s broader note management capabilities.
Conclusion
Obsidian AI stands out with its powerful note-linking, visual graph, and extensive plugin ecosystem, making it a strong choice for general knowledge management and note-taking. However, for specific needs such as literature reviews, academic research, or cloud-based collaboration, alternatives like Notion, LitMaps, Inciteful, Connected Papers, Elicit, ChatGPT, and Consensus might be more suitable depending on the user’s requirements.
Obsidian - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Obsidian and how does it work?
Obsidian is a note-taking application that combines the flexibility of note-taking with the capabilities of a personal knowledge base. It allows users to create, link, and organize notes in a highly customizable environment using Markdown for formatting. Key features include linking notes, a graph view to visualize connections, and a canvas for visual organization.
What are the core features of Obsidian?
- Links: Obsidian allows users to create direct connections between notes, making it easy to reference and navigate related content.
- Graph View: This feature provides a visual map of your notes and their interconnections, helping in organizing and mapping ideas.
- Canvas: A flexible space for visually organizing thoughts and notes, similar to Figma, where users can arrange text boxes, images, and other media.
How does Obsidian handle AI integration?
Obsidian has several plugins that integrate AI capabilities:
- Obsidian AI Assistant: This plugin allows interactions with AI models like GPT-3.5, GPT-4, DALL·E2, and Whisper. It offers features such as text assistance, image generation, and speech-to-text functionality.
- Smart Connections: An AI-powered plugin that uses embeddings to suggest relevant notes based on your current context. It also includes Smart Chat, which enables dynamic conversations with your notes using AI models.
- Smart Second Brain (S2B): A local AI assistant that allows users to interact with their notes and query their knowledge without relying on third-party services. It supports local and offline use of large language models.
What are the pricing options for Obsidian?
Obsidian offers a starting price of $50 per user per year. This includes basic features, and there are additional paid add-ons such as Obsidian Publish for online pages and collaboration, and Obsidian Sync for multi-platform syncing.
Can I use Obsidian offline?
Yes, Obsidian allows local storage of documentation in file vaults, providing offline access and maximum privacy. This is particularly useful for users who need to work without an internet connection.
How customizable is Obsidian?
Obsidian is highly customizable with community plugins, themes, and an open API. Users can personalize their workflows to suit their needs, and there are various plugins available to enhance the functionality of the application.
What is the difference between Obsidian and other note-taking tools like Notion?
Obsidian focuses on local storage and offline access, which is a key difference from Notion. Obsidian also emphasizes the use of Markdown and has a strong community-driven plugin ecosystem. Additionally, Obsidian’s graph view and canvas features are unique in how they visualize and organize notes.
Is Obsidian suitable for teams and collaboration?
Yes, Obsidian supports team collaboration through features like linking notes and the graph view, which help teams revisit ideas and connect related information. Additionally, the Obsidian Publish add-on allows for online pages and collaboration, making it suitable for team use.
How does Obsidian ensure data privacy?
Obsidian stores data locally in file vaults, ensuring maximum privacy. Users have full control over their data, and there is no mandatory cloud storage, which is beneficial for those concerned about data privacy.
What kind of support does Obsidian offer for mobile devices?
Obsidian has mobile apps that allow users to access and manage their notes on the go. Some AI-powered plugins, like the AI Assistant and Smart Connections, also have mobile compatibility, although some features may still be in beta testing.
How can I extend the functionality of Obsidian?
Obsidian has a robust ecosystem of community plugins and themes. Users can install plugins from the Obsidian Community plugins repository to add various functionalities, such as AI-powered features, additional note organization tools, and more.
Obsidian - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Obsidian in the Research Tools AI-Driven Product Category
Obsidian stands out as a versatile and powerful tool for note-taking, organization, and research, particularly when enhanced with its AI capabilities.Key Features
- Internal Linking and Graph View: Obsidian’s ability to create links between notes and visualize them in a graph view is a standout feature. This helps users discover connections between ideas and build a comprehensive knowledge graph.
- Markdown Support and Tags: The app supports Markdown, making note-taking efficient and visually appealing. The tagging system allows for effective categorization and filtering of notes.
- Canvas and Visual Organization: The Canvas feature acts as a giant whiteboard where users can arrange notes and ideas, creating presentations and mind maps. This is further enhanced by Obsidian AI, which helps in organizing thoughts and developing new ideas.
- Collaboration: Obsidian allows real-time collaboration, making it ideal for team projects and shared knowledge bases.
- Plugin Ecosystem: With over 1000 plugins, Obsidian can be customized to fit various needs, including task management, habit tracking, and integrating AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
AI-Driven Capabilities
- Obsidian AI: This adds features like automatic link suggestions, enhanced graph views, and improved Canvas functionality. It also integrates well with many plugins, making them more powerful.
- Research Assistant Plugin: This plugin allows users to save, search, tag, and link conversations with AI models, making research and analysis more efficient.
Who Would Benefit Most
Obsidian is highly beneficial for several types of users:- Researchers: The ability to link notes, use tags, and visualize connections makes it an excellent tool for organizing and analyzing research data.
- Students: Students can use Obsidian to take notes, create study materials, and collaborate on group projects. The AI features can help in generating ideas and discovering new connections.
- Professionals: Professionals looking to manage tasks, track habits, and organize their thoughts will find Obsidian’s flexibility and customization options very useful.
- Teams: The collaborative features make it an ideal tool for team projects, allowing members to work together on notes and share knowledge effectively.