I started a blog.....in 2024 (why you should too)

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of creating a blog using a streamlined pipeline that integrates Obsidian for note-taking, Hugo for formatting, GitHub for version control, and Hostinger for hosting. This approach not only helps you organize your thoughts but also automates the publishing process, allowing you to share your unique voice with the world.

Step 1: Set Up Obsidian for Note-Taking

• Download and Install Obsidian

  • Visit the Obsidian website and download the application for your operating system.

• Create a New Vault

  • Open Obsidian and select "Create a new vault."
  • Name your vault and choose a location on your device.

• Organize Your Ideas

  • Use folders to categorize your notes by topics or themes.
  • Write your ideas, thoughts, and outlines in markdown format for easy readability.

Step 2: Format Your Blog with Hugo

• Install Hugo

  • Follow the instructions on the Hugo website to install Hugo on your system.

• Create a New Hugo Site

  • Open your command line interface and run:

    hugo new site your-blog-name
    

• Choose a Theme

  • Browse the Hugo themes and select one that suits your style.
  • Download the theme and place it in the themes directory of your Hugo site.

Step 3: Sync Obsidian with Hugo

• Export Notes from Obsidian

  • Use Obsidian's export feature to save your notes in a format compatible with Hugo.

• Set Up a Sync Process

  • Write a script or use a tool to automatically transfer exported notes to your Hugo content directory.

Step 4: Use Frontmatter in Obsidian

• Understand Frontmatter

  • Frontmatter is a block of metadata at the top of markdown files that helps Hugo recognize how to process them.

• Add Frontmatter to Your Notes

  • At the beginning of each note, include the following frontmatter:

    ---
    title: "Your Post Title"
    date: YYYY-MM-DD
    tags: ["tag1", "tag2"]
    ---
    

Step 5: Handle Images in Obsidian

• Store Images

  • Create a dedicated folder for images in your Obsidian vault.

• Reference Images in Your Posts

  • Use markdown to link images in your posts:

    ![Alt Text](path/to/image.png)
    

Step 6: Push Your Site to GitHub

• Create a GitHub Repository

  • Log into GitHub and create a new repository for your blog.

• Initialize Git in Your Hugo Directory

  • In your Hugo site folder, run:

    git init
    git add .
    git commit -m "Initial commit"
    git remote add origin <your-repo-url>
    

• Push Your Code

  • Push your local changes to GitHub:

    git push -u origin master
    

Step 7: Set Up Your Domain in Hostinger

• Purchase a Domain

  • Visit Hostinger to purchase a domain name.

• Configure Domain Settings

  • Follow Hostinger's instructions to link your GitHub repository to your domain.

Step 8: Automate Your Workflow

• Create a Webhook

  • Set up a webhook in GitHub to trigger updates to Hostinger whenever you push changes.

• Test Your Setup

  • Make a change to a blog post, push it to GitHub, and verify that it updates on your website.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can create a fully functional blog that allows you to share your ideas and stories with the world. Start by organizing your thoughts in Obsidian, format them with Hugo, and automate the publishing process with GitHub and Hostinger. Now, it's time to share your unique voice and insights online!