Overview#

Containerization vs Metadata is about organizing data in parent-child hierarchies vs using a Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the use of Attributes (or Metadata) attached or associated for the classification of Data

Folders, Groups organizationalUnits (All Containers) or, more generally, parent-child hierarchies of data are natural. Humans understand and accept them. Humans are used to deductive searching - getting more and more specific while we’re on an information scent for something. Folderss and Groups support this.

Why are Containerization vs Metadata the new F word? (As said by Chris Riley in 2011) "It’s not because I promote disorganization. Quite the opposite. Folders only give you the perception of organization. Real organization happens with Metadata. The key points are that folders are:"

• Very limiting
• Poorly maintained
• Setup on the fly

"There are times when there does need to me additional high level containers be it a root folder, site collection, site, library, cabinet, database, whatever you want to call it. But it’s not for the purpose of organization. Creating additional new root containers should happen based on:"

• Size limiting factors
• Security requirements (Perhaps?)
• Backup and Recovery SLA
• Performance

Containers limit Data Classification to one folder. By looking into the Container, you only know that the data is classified to that container.

Search may never be the 100% answer to finding content. Organization of content is key in case search is not used, and to even improve search results and experience. While Containerization vs Metadatas may give you the perception you are organizing content, it is really just a bad habit.

Content Management Systems#

Content (or data] Management Systems have long been associating Metadata to a specific file.

Groups Are Bad#

Groups Are Bad is a limited case of Data Classification by Containerization

Folders and Cloud Data Stores#

In most Cloud Data Stores, there are really no Folders. The folders are just a set of Hierarchical Metadata with an API interface so they appear like a folder structure.

More Information#

There might be more information for this subject on one of the following: ...nobody

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• [#1] - The Great Folder vs. Search Debate - based on information obtained 2019-05-07
• [#2] - Why Folders are the new "F" word - based on information obtained 2019-05-07
• [#3] - Youtube Why Folders are the new "F" word - based on information obtained 2019-05-07
• [#4] - Gmail's Philosophy Today - based on information obtained 2019-05-07
• [#2] - 12 reasons folders in SharePoint are a bad idea - based on information obtained 2019-05-07