Not my sort of thing, but I thought somebody might find it interesting:

https://johnnydecimal.com/

Discussion:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43128093

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Andy Brice

Many thanks for sharing!

The concept of organizing files into folders and nested folders is one of the big failures of the IT industry (the other one is the cell-based concept of spreadsheets).

I don't know how huge the financial effects and losses are because we are all searching for files and other assets on our devices every day, at work and at home.
The busier I am the more I am searching for files, even those I created yesterday.
The story gets more complex the more poeple with different mindsets are collaborating on the same folders and files structures without a simple concept applied.

I will dive deeper into the Johnny.Decimal approach. It looks promising on the first sight.
But the challenge I am facing is that convincing my team mates (25 people distributed worldwide) to follow this approach is close to impossible.
There are a lot of file organizing concepts around but most of them are failing because they are too complex and require a strict dicipline from everyone.

I have been using TheBrain for more than 25 years now to overcome the "Nested Folders Desaster". But this solution works for me only.

All the best,
Dominik

I don't know how huge the financial effects and losses are because we
are all searching for files and other assets on our devices every day,

Windows built-in search is a disaster. But void tool 'everything' is surpisingly good and free:
https://www.voidtools.com/

Agreed, the search on Windows is slow and tedious to use.

Here are two other options:

FileSeek
https://www.fileseek.ca/

DeskRule
https://www.zabkat.com/deskrule/index.htm#sshot

Dominik Holenstein wrote:

< ... >

I have been using TheBrain for more than 25 years now to overcome the
"Nested Folders Desaster". But this solution works for me only.

All the best,
Dominik

I think that JohnnyDecimal is tempting if I could transfer the idea to non digital media as well. That way I could have the same structure in my physical folders. I suppose that paperless office is not an option today (for me).

I doubt that TheBrain is suited for this purpose.

When it comes to searching files on Windows, also have a look at "Everything" https://www.voidtools.com/

Andy Brice wrote:

Windows built-in search is a disaster

If not searching for file content, PowerToy Run is a great tool and always accessible (Win + space)
There is also a plug-in to integrate it with Everything

HTH

I think Johnny Decimal is pretty cool, but I also think it proves an axiom. Any system will work to at least some degree as long as you have a system. I'm not trying to be snarky and I respect the thought that went into the Johnny Decimal method. It's also possible I don't understand the method in full. Likely, even.

It's interesting that his example names things like "11 Me," "12 Home," etc. For me, the numbers lose significance other than for sort order.

Notational Velocity and its contemporary heir, The Archive, don't use folders at all. What the rest of us would consider folders are handled by searches.

Johnny Decimal will play nicely with just about anything, I think, which adds to the concept.

Folders have a value like cupboards. Salt in the condiments cupboard makes sense. But that sense evaporates when you're thinking of salt as a desiccant.

Similarly with hierarchical organisation systems. They help. To an extent. But mostly when you have memorised them. And your sensible system may not be the same as other people's or even a future you. I suspect some people find JD comforting while others regard it as a prison.

Search can be better when it's fast enough. But not when you can't remember the terms or even whether what you're searching for exists. Folders do help then.

I don't like folders for the same reason I don't want to keep salt in two cupboards. What works best for me is quick visibility so I can scan, good search (including the ability to have filters and saved searches), and tags (including hierarchical tags - though my tagging is fuzzy not rigid). Links and indices/maps-of-content also helpful, but tend to be project based.