# Building a Digital Garden ![rw-book-cover](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article1.be68295a7e40.png) URL:: http://tomcritchlow.com/2019/02/17/building-digital-garden/ Author:: tomcritchlow.com ## Highlights > Firstly - apparently, folders and files is the “best in class” tool (better than tags and search) for personal information management This gem came via the Ink and Switch article linked above. : > Bergman and Whittaker report that many of us use hierarchical folders for our personal digital organizing. Critics of this method point out that information is hidden from sight in folders that are often within other folders so that we have to remember the exact location of information to access it. Because of this, information scientists suggest other methods: search, more flexible than navigating folders; tags, which allow multiple categorizations; and group information management. Yet Bergman and Whittaker have found in their pioneering personal information management research that these other methods that work best for public information management don’t work as well for personal information management. > Source ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1371764110/14933356)) > Files and folders feels like it has a long shelf-life. If I’m building this for the long-term (and I think I am) then I want a format I can back-up, archive and re-publish in the future independent of platform. > Using files and folders allows me to drag and drop files into my wiki with zero authoring - CSV, pdf, png and txt files all are hosted and contained gracefully > It’s robust since I can back up this wiki folder to any service, dropbox, Google Drive, Github, etc. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1371764110/14933357)) --- Title: Building a Digital Garden Author: tomcritchlow.com Tags: readwise, articles date: 2024-01-30 --- # Building a Digital Garden ![rw-book-cover](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article1.be68295a7e40.png) URL:: http://tomcritchlow.com/2019/02/17/building-digital-garden/ Author:: tomcritchlow.com ## AI-Generated Summary None ## Highlights > Firstly - apparently, folders and files is the “best in class” tool (better than tags and search) for personal information management This gem came via the Ink and Switch article linked above. : > Bergman and Whittaker report that many of us use hierarchical folders for our personal digital organizing. Critics of this method point out that information is hidden from sight in folders that are often within other folders so that we have to remember the exact location of information to access it. Because of this, information scientists suggest other methods: search, more flexible than navigating folders; tags, which allow multiple categorizations; and group information management. Yet Bergman and Whittaker have found in their pioneering personal information management research that these other methods that work best for public information management don’t work as well for personal information management. > Source ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1371764110/14933356)) > Files and folders feels like it has a long shelf-life. If I’m building this for the long-term (and I think I am) then I want a format I can back-up, archive and re-publish in the future independent of platform. > Using files and folders allows me to drag and drop files into my wiki with zero authoring - CSV, pdf, png and txt files all are hosted and contained gracefully > It’s robust since I can back up this wiki folder to any service, dropbox, Google Drive, Github, etc. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1371764110/14933357))