# Tienson Qin
Tienson Qin is a Chinese software developer and entrepreneur, best known as the creator of [[Logseq]], an open-source knowledge management and note-taking application. Logseq combines outliner-based editing (similar to [[Roam Research]]) with local-first, privacy-focused data storage using plain text Markdown and [[Org-mode]] files. Launched in 2020, Logseq has become one of the most popular open-source alternatives in the [[Personal Knowledge Management (PKM)]] space, attracting a dedicated community of users and contributors.
Qin built Logseq using ClojureScript, reflecting his background in functional programming. His philosophy emphasizes user data ownership—all notes are stored locally in human-readable formats, giving users full control over their information. The project is funded through Open Collective and community support rather than venture capital, aligning with its open-source ethos. Qin continues to lead Logseq's development, focusing on features like bidirectional linking, block references, queries, and graph visualization while maintaining the application's commitment to privacy and interoperability.
## Logseq
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ LOGSEQ ARCHITECTURE │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ USER INTERFACE │ │
│ │ Outliner │ Graph View │ Queries │ Whiteboards │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ ▼ │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ CLOJURESCRIPT │ │
│ │ Functional programming, React-based UI │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ ▼ │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ LOCAL STORAGE │ │
│ │ Markdown (.md) │ Org-mode (.org) │ SQLite │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ Core Principles: │
│ • Local-first: Your data stays on your device │
│ • Open source: MIT licensed, community-driven │
│ • Plain text: Human-readable, future-proof formats │
│ • Privacy: No cloud required (optional sync) │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```
## Key Contributions
| Contribution | Significance |
|--------------|--------------|
| **Logseq** | Open-source PKM tool |
| **Local-first PKM** | Privacy-focused alternative to cloud tools |
| **Block-based architecture** | Granular linking and references |
| **Org-mode support** | Bridging Emacs and modern PKM |
| **Open Collective funding** | Sustainable open-source model |
## Logseq Features
| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Outliner editing** | Hierarchical bullet-based writing |
| **Bidirectional links** | `[[wiki-style]]` linking |
| **Block references** | Link to specific blocks `((block-id))` |
| **Block embeds** | Transclude content from other blocks |
| **Queries** | Datalog-based queries for dynamic views |
| **Graph view** | Visual knowledge graph |
| **Whiteboards** | Visual canvas for spatial thinking |
| **PDF annotation** | Highlight and link to PDFs |
| **Flashcards** | Spaced repetition built-in |
## Design Philosophy
| Principle | Implementation |
|-----------|----------------|
| **Local-first** | All data stored on device |
| **Plain text** | Markdown/Org files you own |
| **Open source** | MIT license, GitHub development |
| **Privacy** | No mandatory cloud, optional sync |
| **Interoperability** | Standard formats, easy export |
| **Extensibility** | Plugin system, API |
## Logseq vs Competitors
| Feature | Logseq | Roam Research | Obsidian |
|---------|--------|---------------|----------|
| **Open source** | Yes | No | No |
| **Local storage** | Yes | No (cloud) | Yes |
| **Outliner** | Yes | Yes | Plugin |
| **Block references** | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| **Free tier** | Full | Limited | Full |
| **Org-mode** | Yes | No | No |
## Technology Stack
| Component | Technology |
|-----------|------------|
| **Language** | ClojureScript |
| **UI Framework** | React (via Rum) |
| **Desktop** | Electron |
| **Mobile** | Capacitor |
| **Database** | Datascript, SQLite |
| **File formats** | Markdown, Org-mode |
## Timeline
| Year | Event |
|------|-------|
| 2020 | Logseq first released |
| 2021 | Rapid community growth |
| 2021 | Plugin system launched |
| 2022 | Whiteboards feature |
| 2022 | Mobile apps released |
| 2023 | Database version development |
## Funding Model
| Aspect | Approach |
|--------|----------|
| **Open Collective** | Community donations |
| **Sponsors** | GitHub sponsors |
| **Pro features** | Sync service (optional) |
| **No VC** | Community-funded development |
## Community
| Platform | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| **GitHub** | Source code, issues |
| **Discord** | Community discussion |
| **Forum** | Long-form discussion |
| **Twitter/X** | Updates, announcements |
## Quotes
<!-- QueryToSerialize: LIST FROM #type/quote AND [[Tienson Qin]] WHERE public_note = true SORT file.name ASC -->
## Books
<!-- QueryToSerialize: LIST FROM #type/book AND [[Tienson Qin]] WHERE public_note = true SORT file.name ASC -->
## References
- https://logseq.com/
- https://github.com/logseq/logseq
- https://github.com/tiensonqin
## Related
- [[Logseq]]
- [[Personal Knowledge Management (PKM)]]
- [[Roam Research]]
- [[Obsidian]]
- [[Zettelkasten Method]]
- [[Org-mode]]
- [[Networked Thought]]
- [[Local-First Software]]
- [[File over app principle]]
- [[Outliner]]
- [[Bidirectional Links]]