Is Your Computer Organized?
Everyone writes about writing things down and how
important it is to file and organize papers. But what do you do with
everything you write or find on the computer and want to save?
Do you print information out daily from your computer?
Is your file cabinet already stuffed and overflowing with files?
I'm finding that I already have too many papers to
file in my physical filing cabinets, and now my computer is making
more of a paper trail than ever. This paper trail monster is eating
me alive!
If you and I are using our computers that much, then
we should at least use files directly on the computer to lessen the
paper trail.
Start by making folders on your computer's desktop,
each folder again holding as many folders inside as you choose. (Look
in your computer's usuer manual for the directions on making folders
in your operating system -- I have attached a sample set of directions
at the end of this article for Windows.) Think of everything under
the sun that you will be filing, and what folder you would look inside
to find it. Do give yourself a limit on how many folders deep you
will go -- I put only one folder inside another folder, as I find
I lose my files if I go too deep. You can also create, rename and
delete folders later as you sort out files and figure out what you
need.
Now you have folders to file all of those papers you
have written or received and saved. Next, what do you do with all
that saved information? You can either save it directly on your hard
drive, or on disks, or both places if you can't afford to lose that
particular information.
If you're like me, you have many disks -- some labeled
and some not. Some disks have tons of different things that you can't
sort through, and others have specific files.
Start by making a list of contents on a separate piece
of paper.
- Have a sticky label for EACH floppy or zip disk.
- Next, start copying the files to disk.
- As you do this, CROSS OUT that file on your paper list and
write it on the sticky label.
- This way, you'll be able to see what goes where and what you've
already saved to disk. For example, I put my business Quickbooks
on one disk and my personal Quicken on another.
- I actually have my database on one whole zip disk, leaving
room for it to grow.
- I also have a zip disk for each day of the week because I back
up each night.
- Other things that don't get used every day will go on another
clearly labeled disk as to what's there.
Making labels and lists of contents for each disk
may sound so easy that you think it's no big deal. But once you start
copying and transfering files here and there, it quickly becomes
overwhelming if you haven't written each thing down, then crossed
it off as you go along. If you keep your disks orderly, you'll have
everything you need at your fingertips. Then all you have to do is
pop the disk in and print out what you need, when you need it!
Computer folders make more sense than than trying
to print and file hard copies and then remember everything you might
want off the computer ahead of time!
Making folders In Windows:
- Click on start, go to "programs." Find Windows Explorer in
the menu and click on it.
- Click on the hard drive letter on the left side. Usually this
will be a "C." Go to the top left and click on "File," then click
on "new," and then on "folder."
- Look to the right screen. At the bottom there should be a folder
icon and the words "new folder" Type in the name you want the
folder to be called. For example we'll call it "recipes."
- Now to add folders within the original folder called recipes,
double click on the folder "Recipes." Go back and click "file " again
on the top left and then on "new "and then "folder." Name the
new folder what you'd like.
Adding Desktop folders:
If you want to put your folders directly on your desktop
as well as your hard drive do this:
- Holding your curser over your windows wallpaper on the desktop
right click your mouse.
- Then click on "new", then "new folder" This will cause a folder
icon to appear on your desktop and you can name it and add folders
within it.
Copyright © 1999 - 2002 Susie Glennan
Susie Glennan has been happily married since 1982, is mom to 3 teenagers,
and is a Home Maker, Nurturer, Teacher, Author, Professional Speaker,
Toastmaster, President of The Busy Woman, Inc., DBA - The Busy Woman's Daily
Planner®. She teaches time management seminars, offers FREE consultations
with your order, and will help you set up a schedule that's right for you.
800-848-7715 www.thebusywoman.com
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