Bret Taylor, the executive who formerly worked on projects like Google Maps and served as Facebook’s CTO, was at that time developing Quip, an alternative to Microsoft Word. He claimed that online-first applications, such as Google Docs, Netflix, and Spotify, were making traditional file management obsolete.
According to Taylor, conventional formats like .DOC and .MP3 might become as outdated as floppy disks. His assertion increasingly appears to hold true; receiving a Word document via email can be more frustrating than receiving a link to a Google Doc.
Despite the trend towards online services, I have always appreciated the simplicity and control of traditional computer files. They provide a sense of ownership that many digital platforms lack.
The debate surrounding file management is gaining renewed attention as tech enthusiasts consider the drawbacks of a file-free future. Managing one’s own files can act as a safeguard against potential loss or unavailability.
Moreover, having control over these files allows for flexibility. For example, if an app like Obsidian ceases operation, I can still access my documents through other Markdown editors without juggling conversions or migrations.
Similarly, I back up my photos in multiple locations, including Google Photos, OneDrive, and my computer, ensuring their preservation. Perhaps the most personal aspect of file management is what these collections represent.
They serve as a time capsule of our digital lives, accumulating worth over time unlike many fleeting tech trends. My computer houses a folder dubbed “OldComputer” filled with beloved mementos, from college music projects to nostalgic chat logs, evoking emotions that Google Docs and Spotify simply cannot replicate.
While I don’t advocate for abandoning online services entirely, I support the narrative of owning your files. This concept is growing in popularity, which is encouraging—even if tech giants would prefer otherwise.