I’m not offering a course, I’m looking for one!
At this exact moment in time I have 2 main systems: my Vista tablet and my staggering zombie of tower running XP. Most things of actual importance to me is located on the tower but it’s been increasingly difficult to find all the files I know I have (had?) because I’m a certified loony when it comes to sticking things all over the place and using names and titles that might not be as descriptive or helpful as I once considered them. I have more than a dozen epic text files named “stuff” or “misc”. Often things pile on my desktop until I get fed up and stick them in folders aptly titled “Desktop”, “Desktop2″, etc. The first two are about 5 gigs each. I r genius.
My tablet is the polar opposite of my tower and not just in terms of stability. I used to be annoyed at how Vista worked but it really did help me keep my randomness in check and I can at least reasonably guess where I put stuff when I do break out of their structure once in a while. I should also not that having only a single hard drive instead of 3-4 also helps cut down on being able to scatter files across the world. This cleanup is a project I know I should tackle before my busy week ahead but I know I’m going to go outside for a hike to clear my head a bit before I dive in. It’ll be great to settle down and work and catch game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Don’t talk to me about yesterday’s game. What the hell was that, eh? The final score was actually Joe Louis 2, Pens 1. It’s not like the Pens never played in Detroit before so I don’t understand how the hot boards were such a surprise to them. Here’s hoping the Pens steal away tonight’s game or it’s a much tougher fight once they are back home.
I _try_ to keep my data on a thumb drive (16 gig), which is on my keychain. Big enough to take along a few movies, my backup from work, a text file of birthdays, addresses and phone numbers.
A second text file is “notes” of whatever catches my eye online.
Not a perfect solution, but it works for me, and most things are in one place and always with me, i.e. my keychain.
I have ordered a Mini 9, which will be much lighter in my backpack, so we will see how that works out.
BTW, I mean lighter than my current laptop.
The only way I got over the same problem was self-discipline.
Using Windows long file name feature and making damn certain that every thing went into a very descriptive folder.
I personally found more hard drives to be helpful. Each one has a specific purpose and only like files go into certain drives. All are labeled both in Windows and on the drive case itself.
Everyone is different, but it did take me 2-3 years to break out of the 8.3 DOS cute name system.
Remember information is power. Over others and over yourself.
Ha! “Stuff” AND “Desktop2″ – been there! Learned my lesson: brevity and specificity are my personal solution (and a backup drive kept as neat and orderly as possible.)
Why not turn the desktop into a server so you don’t waste your tablet’s space?
Hmm, I might have to do that later on. Thanks for the great idea! The catch is that I have some programs that I rely on a lot that don’t work in Vista so even a semi-functioning XP machine is necessary :)