Files should outlive the application
note
Software lasts on average 6-8 years, with exceptional and complex software lasting on average 15 years 1. S&P500 companies last 21 years 2.
Applications are ephemeral. Using standardized formats ensures that when one dies, the next one will be compatible with all the files you spent countless hours and thinking to create.
Using custom query languages, custom file formats, data models results in ephemeral files. When the application that uses these is deprecated, you need to write scripts that parse these, and convert them to a format compatible with the next application, and so on and so forth.
To have Notes-as-a-lifelong-thinking-partner, Use-plain-text-files-for-note-taking.
Related: https://stephanango.com/file-over-app
Links to this note
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