While browsing [Mastodon,](https://mastodon.social/deck/getting-started) [Ellane ](https://mastodon.social/@ellane@pkm.social)posted this link to her blog. I find it helpful to do review and better understand myself and look back on why I may have done something. You can find Ellane's [blogpost here!](https://ellanew.com/2025/01/19/ptpl-191-answer-8-questions-why-plain-text) ### 1. Why did you start using plain text. - I've always kept .txt files around since I loathe working in Microsoft Word and other types of word processors. They are always more clunky, and often more complicated than what I, or most people need. So when I write marketing copy or even emails, for almost a decade, I've been writing them in a Notepad window then copy-pasting the text into their respective software. ### 2. When did you start using plain text? - For about 15 years Since 2016, but the last 8 or so I've really expanded my usage everywhere. ### 3. What do you use plain text for? - Much more than I mentioned above. I use it for logging workouts, grocery lists, One Big Text File, and more! Basically if I type it, I prefer to put it in a plain text format then copy-paste it to its home. While it could be seen as a hassle, it allows me to retain all the information I want on my own devices. ### 4. What keeps you using plain text? Long, rambling answers I've written in this box all end up boiling down to "control." I like knowing and being able to find things I've done. Being able to search and find a string of text I wrote from 10 years ago is magical. ### 5. Do you use any markup or formatting languages? If so, which ones and why? Yes! This started when i found out about Markdown in 2016. The website I was maintaining at that point had a Markdown parsing layer, so that's when I found out. The subsequent adoption of Trello led me to format all the cards and projects in Markdown to help with legibility for my team. ### 6. What are your favorite plain text tools or applications? - Obsidian - "search" - AutoHotkey/TextReplacement - Notepad/my own custom text editor. ### 7. Is there one tool you can’t do without? - I'm tempted to say Obsidian, since it makes opening and editing files so easy, but in reality it's text expansion. There are so many templates I use for my files that are triggered by a hotkey/snippet that computers feel broken without them installed. ### 8. Is there anything you can’t do with plain text? If there is, I haven't found it yet! Although, current frustrations with iOS-native text manipulation is a thorn in the lovely rose that is plain text.