Using static websites for tiny archives
The author describes using static websites to organize small personal digital archives in a deliberate and sustainable way. Each collection, such as screenshots or bookmarks, is stored in a folder with a hand-written HTML interface for browsing and metadata display. This low-tech approach avoids complex dependencies and aims for long-term accessibility and simplicity.
- ▪The author creates static websites for personal archives like scanned documents, screenshots, bookmarks, and media files.
- ▪Each website is built with plain HTML and JavaScript, stored locally, and opened directly in a browser without a web server.
- ▪These websites use custom designs and metadata to improve searchability and organization beyond what file systems or apps offer.
- ▪The approach avoids build tools, frameworks, and maintenance-heavy software in favor of longevity and simplicity.
- ▪Previously tried methods included file folders, tagging apps like Evernote, and custom-built tools, none of which were sustainable for the author.
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Using static websites for tiny archivesPosted 16 October 2024Also filed in Static websitesIn my previous post, I talked about how I’m trying to be more intentional and deliberate with my digital data. I don’t just want to keep everything – I want to keep stuff that I’m actually going to look at again. As part of that process, I’m trying to be better about organising my files. Keeping something is pointless if I can’t find it later.Over the last year or so, I’ve been creating static websites to browse my local archives.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Alexwlchan.
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