The first option is evidently better for the user. The filesystem is a neutral entity with a well-defined interface, whereas each app is on its own journey. For a period of time that journey may align with the user's workflow, and both are happy. But there inevitably comes a time where the app and the user diverge, and for the user, it is imperative that they be able to switch to another app without losing access to their data.
To a user, the data matters most, and the filesystem, because of its neutrality, is the best model for access.
Reading your comment earlier, while trying to make dinner now, made me realize that the reason I hate the layout of my house might be the same reason I never got into Vim...
To get to the kitchen, I have to walk through the dining room, where all the plates, bowls, glasses are. But I can’t grab what I need yet, because I haven’t seen the food. I first need to get to the kitchen, look at what’s there, and decide what I’m going to make... Only then do I know which tools I need.
My house verb first, but my brain works noun first.
But Vim can also operate noun-first: just press `v` to go into visual mode. Then you drag out a selection, and press the command. No need to switch editors and relearn all the places where they differ. (If you're already used to Vim, of course, which might not be the case for you).
Which is why I've never tried Helix or Kakoune myself. Because the big selling point, noun-first operation, is already in Vim, just one keystroke away. Multiple cursors are a neat idea, and when I have to use VS Code I find them quite useful for doing things that I would have done with Vim macros. But I've already learned Vim macros, and there are few cases (though not none) where multiple cursors would have made something easier than the macro-based approach.
Anyway, point is, for anyone else who might stumble across this comment somehow, that Vim allows noun-first operation too: just go into `v`isual selection mode, select text with motion commands, and then press the operation command key.
Years ago I bumped into Sublime Text, which introduced me to multi cursors. I ended up becoming quite good at using regex for search, then pressing Alt+Enter to select all the matches. That satisfied my multi-selection needs, and although I tried getting into Vim later, I felt that the effort was too much and my setup already made me quite fast at editing code in multiple places.
Is the core the database(the filesystem) and the apps roam around in it, or is the core the apps each with their own database.
I grew up with noun focused operating systems, which is probably why I prefer them. Here are your things and you can use various actions on them(some valid some not). And as such find the verb focused ones unpleasant to use. Here are your actions each includes it's things. But where are my things? It does not matter, each action knows where it's correct things are. But I want my things, I know they are in there somewhere. (fights the phone for a while)