> We've trained out the idea that these could just be local text files in a directory you can access and do with what you want.

But have you considered that a meaningful number of users actually want functionality that plain text simply can’t provide?

I understand files and file systems, I’ve worked in IT for decades, mostly in open source. I still choose a non plaintext note solution because it delivers capabilities that plain text cannot, especially across devices.

As long as the data can be exported to open formats, why would I voluntarily limit the value and functionality my tools can provide?