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The filesystem provides structure, even if it's not the perfect structure. When I start a new project the first thing I do is create a folder and put everything

by jiggy2011 13y ago

The filesystem provides structure, even if it's not the perfect structure. When I start a new project the first thing I do is create a folder and put everything related into the folder. What the filetypes are isn't important, it's the logical grouping of "things" in a tree structure which is easily understood. If I zip and email that folder then I know I have got the whole project. Having a big gallery of every single image file on my computer isn't that useful. Maybe I can break them down into galleries, but then do I have to tell my other applications which gallery corresponds to which project?

incongruity 13y ago
Exactly. The counter to that (as discussed in this post) is that you can just search for documents based on keywords, etc. which can definitely work well in many cases – but I don't believe it is (or has to be) an either-or. Searching is not infallible either - at least not until search becomes semantic and truly smart, lest I misremember crucial keywords, substituting a synonym (or any of a number of examples). It's been my experience that organization becomes essential when tasks become complex. This goes beyond computers. This is the case with human systems or physical objects. I think the same goes here. Mobile devices have largely been about consumption or simple creation, with simple workflows. To me, it's an open question of whether or not their current interaction and organizational scheme can hold up as content creation gets more complex.
- jiggy2011 13y ago
  Keywords is an option, but then again if I send someone else my files what happens if there is a keyword conflict on their system? So we need namespaces or a way to track file origin/ownership across the entire planet? urgh. Of course filesystem aren't the only way to organise data and there are applications that already do this. An example that springs to mind are playlists and media libraries. The file/folder hierarchy is also pretty well ingrained in the web.

incongruity 13y ago

Exactly. The counter to that (as discussed in this post) is that you can just search for documents based on keywords, etc. which can definitely work well in many cases – but I don't believe it is (or has to be) an either-or. Searching is not infallible either - at least not until search becomes semantic and truly smart, lest I misremember crucial keywords, substituting a synonym (or any of a number of examples). It's been my experience that organization becomes essential when tasks become complex. This goes beyond computers. This is the case with human systems or physical objects. I think the same goes here. Mobile devices have largely been about consumption or simple creation, with simple workflows. To me, it's an open question of whether or not their current interaction and organizational scheme can hold up as content creation gets more complex.

jiggy2011 13y ago
Keywords is an option, but then again if I send someone else my files what happens if there is a keyword conflict on their system? So we need namespaces or a way to track file origin/ownership across the entire planet? urgh. Of course filesystem aren't the only way to organise data and there are applications that already do this. An example that springs to mind are playlists and media libraries. The file/folder hierarchy is also pretty well ingrained in the web.