What is “File over App” About?

In mid-2023, Steph Ango, currently the CEO of the renowned Markdown note-taking tool Obsidian, introduced the concept of “File over App” (File over app — Steph Ango). The essence of this idea is that all apps are inherently ephemeral and that data generated within these apps should not be entrusted solely to them. Instead, data should be preserved in a more fundamental form—files. Ango advocates for data longevity, suggesting that information from 2060 should still be accessible on a computer from 1960 to truly endure the test of time, rather than being lost in the history.

I wholeheartedly agree with this viewpoint and believe it addresses the critical issue of who controls “user data.”

File Storage Empowers Users, Surpassing Cloud Databases

While cloud storage, like various “cloud notes” services, offers immense convenience (such as cross-device access and collaboration), it does not empower users with control over their data as files do. Data is often stored on various cloud servers, typically within databases, and is not directly controlled by users but by app providers. In the worst-case scenario, if the app provider goes out of business without offering a way to export or download data, all data could be lost.

The Importance of Open File Formats

If an app stores data in encrypted or proprietary file formats, then it does not truly empower users. Holding an encrypted file named “myData.zip” without owning the decryption key means, although physically possessing the file, I lack access to its content without dependency on the app provider.

Files Serve Long-Term Objectives; Apps Are Temporary Tools

My practice has always been to preserve important information in file form on my local machine or in locations I trust, such as external hard drives or backed up on Dropbox. A trendy app may solve a short-term need efficiently, but any significant outputs must be saved as files. Human civilization has advanced because knowledge was passed down through generations. If every individual (akin to each app) locked information within their minds, taking it to their graves, we might be worse off than in the Stone Age. Our inscriptions, stone tablets, and paper books are the “files” of various ages, directly accessible without the need for a specific person to facilitate access.

The Debate Around “File Over App”

The File Over App philosophy has not been without criticism, primarily arguments about it being “inefficient.” Critics say that files, as a basic form of data preservation, are less optimized for tasks like retrieval compared to databases (or cloud databases).

LogSeq, a note-taking tool similar to Obsidian but favoring a local-first file approach, is also considering a shift towards a database model while maintaining compatibility with files, possibly acknowledging the superior efficiency of databases. Refer to their forum for more details: Logseq upcoming database version.

Categories of Note-Taking Apps Based on Data Handling

Dangerous Black Hole Apps

These apps either do not allow data export or only allow it in proprietary formats. Such apps are destined to doom their users to data loss—they are a no-go since they trap user data within the app.

Apps That Allow Manual Data Export

This category varies widely. Some allow data export but make it cumbersome (like Apple Notes—ha!), and others may export in open formats but lose some content, like drawing tools exporting to Markdown, losing much visual context. Even the best export processes rely on users to perform backups periodically rather than automatically generating file “receipts”.

Apps That Automatically Generate File Receipts

Apps like Obsidian and LogSeq fall into this category. These apps store notes directly as files, which act like financial receipts allowing users to reconstruct the ledger book, whether on paper or in digital accounting. The same goes for tools like Dropbox or GoogleDrive, which provide local files (as receipts) while storing the actual data in cloud databases. Even if these apps or their database technologies were to disappear, we could immediately relocate to the next sync service using the files at hand. Think about migrating from Dropbox to GoogleDrive—it’s merely a matter of moving files or even just reassigning sync folders.

All these considerations boil down to one principle: we, the users, need to take control of our data. That’s a founding principle of this blog,

MyOwnSys

The power that many apps hold over user data, especially those driven by profit motives, makes it hard for them to let go willingly. Hence, we must steer clear of the perilous “Black Hole Apps” and cherish the “Files First” apps.

Inspired largely by Steph Ango’s File Over App philosophy, I started this blog and hope that Obsidian continues to champion this cause. As a devoted user, I’ve transitioned my notes from plain text files and Evernote to Obsidian, embracing the security and longevity that files can offer.