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Johnny.Decimal
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Posted by Christoph
Feb 22, 2025 at 05:55 PM
When it comes to searching files on Windows, also have a look at “Everything” https://www.voidtools.com/
Posted by Pierre Paul Landry
Feb 22, 2025 at 08:04 PM
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
Posted by Amontillado
Feb 22, 2025 at 11:44 PM
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.
Posted by Dormouse
Feb 23, 2025 at 02:48 PM
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.