Data First vs. Structure First

From Stefano’s Linotype

Some people find the act of categorizing and abstracting natural and rewarding, others find it frustrating and unnecessary.

The problem with information technologies is that computer programmers are likely to fall in the first category and users of such programs are likely to fall into the second one.

For example, the file system.

Files and folders are concepts that were invented by people that were managing tons of paper information and, because of that, they liked categorizing and abstracting… normal users don’t! Look at the average car, desk, room, closet… are they all perfectly ordered and structured, labelled and well categorized?