> with auto save systems, you flag/name a version as your canonical save point.
You mean each saved version is stored separately, like a version control system?
A system like that would be fine (in fact I use version control all the time for this kind of thing). But that's often not how auto save is implemented; the auto save just clobbers the last version you saved. That's the kind I don't use.
> I don't use autosave either. I don't want the computer to assume when I want to save a file. The computer is too stupid to know that.
That’s why, with auto save systems, you flag/name a version as your canonical save point.
Rather like a video game, I’d rather have the autosaves and not need them, because I generally save the game myself, than not have them at all.
A computer can be helpful and obedient at the same time, when it’s done correctly and puts the user in control.