Why would you choose to use text files for notes and lists instead of using a notes app like OneNote or a webapp like Evernote? There are a number of advantages to writing your notes in simple .txt files using a text editor.
Keeping notes and lists in text files might not be everyone's cup of tea. But here are a few of the key reasons why I have kept a lot of notes, lists, tasks, journals, and other information in regular old text files.
1. Open Anywhere and No Data Lock-In
What's great about using .txt files for notes and lists is that you can open the files literally on any device. You don't have to worry about having the app or web app to open your files and read your information. You don't have to worry about your information being locked into a file format, operating system, or website that you can't get it out of. With Evernote, you need to use their apps and their apps only. They hold your data hostage, and if they decided now not to offer a free version, you'd either have to pay whatever they said to pay for it or be out of luck with all of your data.
2. Future Proof and Company Independent
You can open text files on any device, both now and way in the future. Text doesn't depend on a single company or piece of software existing to support a file format or web service. Plus, if you ever find or build a working time machine, you could even open a text file on a computer from 30 years ago. Though I don't know why you'd want to go back to the 80's. Before Google Keep, Google had Google Notes and they completely terminated it leaving people kind of helpless if they had used it. They came out with Google Keep, an extremely similar product, years later.
3. Simple, Like Writing on Paper
You don't need to use complicated software or worry about formatting when you use text. Remember, we used to just write things on pieces of paper. Think simple like that. I love software, but it's also amazing how complicated we ended up making it. Think of the difference from a pencil, eraser, and a piece of paper compared to Microsoft Word. It's crazy, because often what is really important is just the information, the text.
4. Text is Text, Words are Words
Writing in text files is more like writing on paper. You write exactly what you want and you don't worry about formatting. You can pass that text file literally anywhere like you would a book. You can copy it into anything and it looks exactly the same. You can open up the file and it looks exactly like how you wrote it. Open up a .html file or a .docx file in a text editor to see what is really in there.
5. Actual Files, Sync, and Backup
Text files are actual files that can be saved, opened, synced, and backed up anywhere like mp3s, jpgs, or doc files. So not only can you open them up anywhere, but they exist on your computer, devices, USB drives, or hard drives. You own them. It's not just out there on the Internet somewhere. However, because they are files you can also still sync and access your text notes online using online storage services like Dropbox. Online storage services are great for keeping notes in text files because they allow you to sync your actual files both online and offline, so you stay in control of your own data and information.
6. Quick Entry of Notes and Lists
If you've typically used online services like Evernote, you might consider trying text files first as a quicker option for an inbox or notepad of sorts. Some people just like using a simpler app to jot down notes and lists in text files. Even if they use a more serious app for bigger reference material which includes pictures, audio, and document formatting. Text files are more like a paper notebook that you can quickly write down notes, lists, journals, tasks, or any information you want. It's a lot quicker to edit text files because text editors are much simpler pieces of software than Microsoft Word and other online alternatives for writing formatted notes.
February 5th, 2014