Markdown has completely changed my way of writing and thinking about text formatting. It forces me to think simply and directly about the content and structure of my texts. Markdown is intention of your text: This is a title, this is a chapter, this is a paragraph, here comes a line. This intention is then translated into a real layout by the application or service that opens your text. This is important to me because I want my intention and message are recorded, not the exact thickness of the line between two subjects or the precise point size of the title. If you want to, you have to use a PDF.
What is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language designed to be as simple as possible to read and write. It uses simple characters to format text, such as asterisks for bold text or fences for headings. This simple syntax makes it possible to write text that is easy to read without the distraction of complex formatting codes.
Why I'm in love with Markdown
The Big Benefit of Markdown
The biggest advantage of Markdown is that it is platform, application and service independent. This means I can share my documents with anyone across all platforms without losing my intent. Nowadays I write my texts in simple text editors with support for Markdown and do not get distracted by countless buttons and suddenly staggered images. Since Markdown is cross-platform, you no longer have to worry about whether your recipient is using the same version of Word as you.
The simplicity of Markdown
Markdown is a text format that is easy to read and write, making it an excellent tool for writing on the web. The simple syntax makes it possible to format text, create lists and insert links and images without having to worry about the exact presentation. This allows you to focus on the content itself.
Platform independence
One of the biggest advantages of Markdown is that it is platform-independent. This means you can share your documents with anyone, regardless of the device or software they use. The intent of your text is preserved without you having to worry about compatibility issues. This is a huge advantage in a world where we are constantly using different devices and applications.
Focus on content
Because Markdown is so simple, you can fully concentrate on the content of your text. You don't have to worry about the exact thickness of a line or the point size of a title. That means less distraction and more productivity. If you want to determine exactly what your text looks like, you can always use a PDF, but for most cases Markdown is more than enough.
Simple editors
Nowadays I write my texts in simple text editors with support for Markdown. This means no distraction from countless buttons and no misplaced images. Writing becomes what it should be: simple and direct.
Use of Markdown
Markdown is widely used on the internet, from building static websites and writing documentation pages to taking notes in code repositories such as GitHub. It is also used in Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) workflows and in project management tools such as Azure DevOps. Even AI-driven services like GitHub Copilot use Markdown to generate code suggestions. I use it for all my texts. Even Telegram and WhatsApp know what to do with Markdown. Unfortunately not yet Signal, but that is a topic for another blog post. Stay tuned!
What I miss about Word
While I'm a big supporter of Markdown, I sometimes miss the integrations with the M365 platform that Word offers. The extensive integration makes it easy to collaborate and share documents within an organization. But since the end of my last assignment, I haven't actually touched a Word anymore.
Conclusion
Markdown has changed my way of writing by forcing me to think about my texts simply and directly. It provides a cross-platform way to format text that focuses on the intent of the content. The only thing I miss about Word are the integrations with the M365 platform. The ease of the far-reaching integration is something I sometimes miss, but the freedom and simplicity that Markdown offers far outweigh this.
With Markdown I fell in love not only with a way of writing, but also with a philosophy that emphasizes simplicity and intention. Because of its simple structure and focus on what matters, Markdown is an excellent way to share information. Not just for techies, but for anyone who wants to share texts.
If you're looking for a way to simplify your writing process and focus on what's really important, then Markdown is definitely an option you should consider.
English (UK)
What a beautiful reflection, Henro! Markdown seems simple, but you clearly show how powerful simplicity can be. It's nice to read how this approach helps you get back to the essentials: content and intention. Thank you for sharing your experience and enthusiasm – it's contagious!