43 Folders

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43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

Trying to get my computer files in some semblance of order

One of the things I want to do in the coming year is devise a uniform system for getting all my computer files in some form of order.

I'd like to be able to sort them by categories, mostly, but whatever I try to come up with is too long and defeats my purposes...

Can anyone give me some ideas what I can do?

TOPICS: Life Hacks
mdl's picture

Here's my setup: I like to...

Here's my setup:

I like to keep all my essential work materials in a folder, organized by project. This includes academic notes and project support material. I keep this work folder synced among several machines and always have an up to date copy of it on a usb thumb drive and/or iPod.

I'm currently considering putting this work folder under version control (subversion).

All the rest of the non-essential stuff gets filed by type: MP3s, images, software downloads, old project archives, etc.

Email is easy with gmail. All my email organization is within the gmail web app. I download messages to my home computer for archiving/backup, but I leave them in one big dump folder.

I use DevonThink (Mac only) to organize my webclippings, notes, receipts, etc. I can also index any important projects/folders in this amazing information management tool. One of the best features: ability to import del.icio.us bookmarks and create smart folders of weblinks based on del.icio.us tags.

 
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