My TODO lists with tickboxes are in Zim. (use [] to make a box). This way I can check what tasks are left and which are done. When the list of "done"-tasks grows, I move those to an own page to declutter and have a searchable history.

When I read an interesting paper or book, I add summaries to be reviewed later. When I develop, I build "case files" of things I am doing (e.g. set of commands, replies from a device, mini-HOWTOs, observations). Often these can be communicated to other people after a little polish.

One problem is that some notes tend to become spread out and somewhat chaotic, especially when having to multitask under time pressure. Many notes taken have little if any value after some weeks or months so I don't pay much attention to strict discipline there. Zim is essentially a somewhat messy lab journal intended for myself.

* The files can live anywhere (say, the Dropbox folder)

* The files are plain text

* The markup is minimal and there is UI for it

* The app is a bit old-school - none of the flat ui, panes, online-email-style stuff. No Electron.

All good so far. Yet the app forces the user to organize stuff into linked pages. Let's see whether I have the patience to stick with it.

* manage to-do-lists based on the page they occur, and/or their tags, deadlines and priority level.

* table of contents for a larger one page note

* auto git add/commit upon application start

What I would love to see is:

* automated and robust git push/pull with GUI based conflict resolvement so I could collaborate with colleagues who are not too comfi with git using zim

* organize pages using a nested tag structure (like gmail lables) instead of folder structure.

Saved me a couple times with re-occurring or forgettable issues.

Recently with Virtual Box I needed to install the Intel USB 3.0 driver when spinning up an old WES7 VM. Had the note and the executable right there.