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Keeping Your Computer Organized
Keeping your computer organized is important. Not only
does it make you more productive, but should disaster strike
it allows you to know where to look to recover those files.
I generally keep items I'm currently working with on the
desktop. It is an immediate notification that something
needs attention. If I'm done downloading a file, or have
completed a project I move it to the appropriate location.
I've set up folders for websites, work, books, music,
videos, etc. Your organizational methods will vary greatly
from mine (and probably be better). But that raises the
question of how. How do I get those files where I want
them? Click Here
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Press-F1 Computer Service
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| Keeping Your Computer Organized
Part 1 of 2
A little background information
For those who aren't familiar with the terms DOS and
path, let's have a quick definition:
- Path - The actual location of a file. The path to a
file called myfile.txt which is currently on my desktop
is c:\user\greg\desktop\myfile.txt. This is a relatively
short path. They can be much longer. A file path leads
you to a location, which in this case is a file. As you
can see it is not something you would easily remember if
you had to memorize the path to each file on your
computer.
- DOS - Disk Operating System. DOS is actually an
operating system that pre-dates Windows 3.1, 95, 98, ME,
2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7. DOS is very powerful,
but it isn't pretty to look at. It resembles the command
prompt often referred to in the Windows version you are
familiar with.
Windows 3.1 introduced the GUI (Graphical User Interface),
which adds a nice colorful screen with pictures. The most
important aspect of the GUI is it replaces text commands and
paths with icons and pictures, which are easier for the
average user to work with. Basically, when you manipulate
files and folders Windows is doing the grunt work entering
text commands and file paths for you behind the scenes. That
is way over simplified, but you get the idea!
The point is, though for some typing commands may be
quicker, Windows is a point, click, and drag operating
system. To work within Windows the user points, clicks, and
drags. You do it every time you use Windows. Manipulating
and moving files works the same way. A few important terms
you should know are:
- Clipboard - A section of memory that Windows uses to
temporarily store information for the user.
- Cut - Removes the file or object from the original
location and places it in the Clipboard.
- Copy - Copies the file or object to the Clipboard,
but leaves the original in the current location.
- Paste - Removes the file or object from the
clipboard and places it where you choose.
These functions work in almost every program you have, so
take a moment and reread and understand them.
Removable drives
The computer world was ruled by floppy drives in the
1980s and early 90s. Flash memory has changed that. You will
hear words like flash drives, usb drives, and thumb drives.
All refer to small, reusable, removable (not permanently
connected to your computer) usb devices for storing and
transporting files. These devices can take on almost any
shape, but are often small devices that are similar in size
to your thumb. Many of today's digital cameras and mp3
players can also function in this fashion.
A few pointers to keep in mind while using usb storage
devices:
- Upon connecting a USB drive for the first time
Windows will load a driver for the device, which may
take a moment to complete.
- Try to use the Safely Remove Hardware feature to
eject the device before removal, which is available by
right clicking on the device in My Computer.
- Never (Never Ever) remove the device while it is
being written to or read from. This will likely result
in a loss of data on the device.
That should give you a little to think about until the next
issue, when we will learn about actually moving files around
your computer!
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