Computer File Organization

Do you feel like sometimes your important information falls into the bottomless pit called your computer? 

Do you spend hours looking on SUDSOL for a project you want to make only to not be able to find it again a few days later when you are ready to use it?  

You might find that some or even all aspects of your computer filing system are unorganized.  Sifting through the chaos could seem like an insurmountable task, but it doesn’t have to be.

I’m not saying I can always put my hands on every piece of information in my computer at a moment’s notice.  I can say with certainty though that when I can’t, it’s because I didn’t take the time when I was downloading the files to properly sort and store them.  It all start with an organized file system.  Just like a cabinet file system, it has to be organized the way you look for information.  There are several ways to search for specific information so make sure whatever you do, it fits your way. 

Here’s the way I sort my scrapbooking photos, Stampin’ Up! documents and inspiration I have found while surfing the world wide web.

I’m a PC girl.  I use FireFox as my browser mainly.  In FireFox there are settings to help you get organized. Select Tool > Options.  In the general tab there is Download settings.   Here you can set a default save location or be asked each time.  I use a default file location of c:\temp\staging.

I have setup c:\temp folder as my temporary storage location.  Anything in there can be deleted at anytime.  C:\temp\staging is where I download files that need to be sorted, similar to a desktop inbox.

I have 4 main folders where I store and backup files: Documents, Downloads, Learning and Pictures.

Documents is where I store files that I have permission to share.  This includes Stampin’ Up! project downloads, pictures I took at leadership, class projects, etc.  It looks like this:

Documents (Backup Daily)
  –> SU
       –> Events
          –> Leadership2012
            –> Presentations
            –> Boards
            –> Decoration
            –> CD Album
          –> Convention2011           
      –> Class Resources
          –> classinaflash
            –> jan12-Create & Keep Simply Sent Kit
            –> dec11-Sweet Centers Card Treats
            –> nov11-Easy Events Stamp-a-Stack
          –> Upline Projects
          –> Misc
             –> Scrapbooks
             –> MDS Output
            –>  3D
            –>  Cards
      –> Templates
      –> Flyers

Downloads serves two purposes, a great place to download zip files and a library of inspiration but for personal use or case-ing.

Download (Backup Weekly)
–> SU
  –> Resources
   –> Stamping Success
   –> Flyers
  –> Software
  –> Projects
    –> Holidays
    –> Birthdays
    –> SUDSOL
 –> Fonts
 –> MyDigitalStudioDownloads
 –> SUDSOL

Pictures is where I store my personal pictures that I have taken outside of SU. 

Pictures (Backup Daily)
–> Backup
–> Travel
–> Events
–> People
–> Places/Things

My camera uploads pictures to the backup folder.  I resize and copy the picture to a different folder.

Learning is where I store training material that is personal use.

Learning (Backup Weekly)
–> Class
  –> Organization
  –> Photography
–> SU Audios

I hope that helps!  If you have any questions, leave a comment below and I’ll respond asap.