Paper Reading #2: Planz to Put Out Digital Information in Its Place

Comments
Zachary Henkel
Steven Hennessy


Reference Information
Title: Planz to Put Our Digital Information in Its Place
Authors: William Jones, Dawei Hou, Bhuricha Deen Sethanandha, Sheng Bi, Jim Gemmel
Where: CHI 2010, Atlanta, Georgia


Summary
This article describes an application called Planz, designed to overlay a computer's normal file/folder hierarchy. The authors describe that many different alternatives to folder hierarchy have been attempted, but users generally prefer the file/folder system that they are already used to. Navigating through folder structures to find specific files present benefits, including reminders of related work and progression through general to increasingly specific items. However, files can easily be misplaced or forgotten within a folder hierarchy.

With this in mind, Planz was created to use the folder hierarchy by providing document-like overlays to it that allow easier organization and access. An editable document is displayed to the user to help organize projects. High-level headings represent high-level projects, with subheadings acting as tasks within the project. Files and documents can be linked into this display, headings can be modified in word-processor fashion, and headings can be expanded and collapsed for ease of access. Each heading and subheading correspond to actual file system folders, with links to files within the folders.

An example of the Planz application. Source: kftf.ischool.washington.edu (Also a link to installing Planz)

Planz is created using XML fragments, each defining a basic unit of organization with one-to-one association with folders. A process of synchronization between the user-level document and the actual file system ensures that files and folders listed in the plan document exist in the file system, where the system wins in case of conflict. The article compares this system to related file overlay systems, and discusses evaluation of the Planz system by trial by actual users. Most response to the system was positive.


Discussion
I believe that this application is a good idea. It works off of the existing file system, producing a level of familiarity that would make it easier to use than a completely new system. Being able to describe files and folders in a document could prove very useful and possibly eliminate quite a lot of searching through unorganized files and folders in an attempt to find a specific file. The article also mentioned adding the ability to relate links to emails with files/folders, which would be helpful when working on projects.