Yesterday, I wrote about why I don’t like MS Teams. My frustration about this Microsoft product (or perhaps better, platform*) could have been directed at most other commercial platforms. Common to all is the attempt to lock users into a software ecosystem that they cannot easily escape without losing their information. But what is the option?
Over the years, I have developed my own workflows, including practical strategies for handling files and folders. That will have to wait for another post. Here, I will focus on two old-school communication platforms that are still going strong: SMS and e-mail.
SMS
I am using a myriad of communication tools every day, but I am still very fond of plain SMS for several reasons:
No Internet Required: This makes it invaluable when there is poor or no internet connectivity, which still happens more often than I like.
Device Agnosticism: SMS is always available Whether you own the latest smartphone or a basic feature phone.
No Third-party Apps: Unlike some apps that may encounter server downtimes or technical glitches, SMS is less prone to such issues.
Guaranteed Delivery: SMS messages are directly handled by network providers, ensuring reliable delivery. Compared to internet-based messaging services, messages are less likely to get lost in the ether.
Straight to the Point: Due to its technical limitations, SMS forces brevity, which can be advantageous in professional settings where time is critical.
Immediate Attention: People are more likely to read and respond to an SMS quickly, reducing the chances of messages being overlooked.
Many of the same arguments can be made about e-mails:
Platform Independent: E-mail can be accessed from virtually any device with an internet connection, be it a smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer.
Standard Protocols: E-mail operates on universally accepted protocols (IMAP, POP3, SMTP), meaning it’s compatible with countless different applications and services.
Keep History: I have an archive of all my e-mails dating back to the 1990s.
Attachments and Formatting: Although I try to keep things simple, e-mails allow for HTML-based formatting and adding attachments.
In sum
Both SMS and e-mail are old standards, but they provide interoperability between devices, independent of hardware and software solutions. That is also why they have become so ubiquitous despite their technical limitations. This gives users freedom and flexibility, which I value in my everyday life but which is even more important when thinking about stability and longevity.
Personally, I also find that the simplicity of these platforms allows for better and clearer communication. I am increasingly skeptical about the app-centric approach, lock-in strategies, and limitations of various commercial platforms. I think it is important to value SMS and e-mail not only as functional relics of the past but as platforms for the future.