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What is the best way to organize folders on my computer?
mobius | Oct 26 2006
I think this counts as a "productivity" question, because I find myself getting bogged down rummaging through my files trying to find what I need. In the past I have set a directory structure under My Documents like so:
My Documents
~Docs
~Downloads
~ftp
~Images
~Media
~Audio
~Video
~Misc
~Software
~Work
This has changed over the years and I've added to it and have so much stuff in certain places that I can't combine similar items. I don't know what I am really trying to ask. What do you think is the proper, most efficient, way to organize your personal files on a computer? Keep in mind that I don't care about where things are installed. This is strictly about data. So in the example above, my software folder keeps backup disc images of software, games, etc. It also contains downloaded software such as drivers, install files, etc. The audio and video keep mp3s, movies, tv shows and various clips. If you know of a better way, I'm all ears. How do you organize your files? Thanks. 10 Comments
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 Full DisclosureSubmitted by krackeman on October 28, 2006 - 7:00am.
@duus: Thank you for picking up the comedic timing EXACTLY where it needed to be taken up! @all: Full Disclosure: I use a hybrid system (folders/search). I am a graphic designer and web developer, so all of my work projects fall into a very organized folder structure. Project Support Materials all go into appropraitely labeled and easy to find folders. I do, however, use an ARCHIVE folder for all of the Word Docs, PDFs, etc. that I collect (White papers, receipts for online purchases, ChangeThis manifestos, etc.) and they all just get dumped in the pile. Microsoft Desktop Search makes it easy for me to type "GTD" and find every reference peice I could need in a flash. Or "Outlook" or "CSS" ... I will often rename files so that the file name has some "tags" in it. (ex. HintsTips.pdf might become HintsTips_gtd hpda tiddlywiki.pdf) I have found that every time I try to go "all folders", I spend way to much time developing the tree and then quickly slide into having a "File This" folder on my desktop because I just couldn't be hassled to remember where to put stuff. I also "version" my files that are under revision with date strings (YYMMDD= 061031 = October 31, 2006) So I will have BillResume.doc followed by BillResume_061015.doc BillResume_061022.doc, etc. Same Day versions add a letter 061031A, 061031B. So there it is, full disclosure ... and clearly this is better than anything Duus has ever imagined. :) BK » POSTED IN:
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