Better Information Organization at Home
How to Organize Information On a Computer
With most information being able to be stored electronically on computers, it is becoming more common for disorganized computerized filing systems to become bigger issues. One of the biggest reasons for having a home computer is to organize every day affairs. Paperwork, letters and invoices have all become computerized and can now all be stored in one handy little box. The trouble comes when the files become unorganized, accidentally deleted, or just plain lost. So what can be done solve this problem? How can files be organized properly?
Information Organization Tips
- When saving a document, don't just hit the save button. Take a minute to decide what you are going to name the document (something relevant and specific) and also where it is going. If you save a document as “letter” into your documents file, the chances are that it won't be found again. If you can't be more specific than “letter” then think about putting the date or a reference number.
- Try to organize your desktop into different folders. You can name your folders any way you want. Folders such as utilities, credit cards, bills and work are quite handy to have. You can choose as many or as few folders as you like and can even put them within each other, but do remember that these folders are supposed to make life easier and not more difficult so keep things simple.
- If all else fails, use the search function. If, for some reason, you have not filed your document in the correct folder or cannot find it, then try searching for it. Some computers will have a simple search whereas others will have a much more detailed search. This will allow you to look in different parts of your computer or within the whole computer, but be warned as this could take some time. If you have followed step one, then you will have a general idea of what the document is called and if you have followed step two you will have a rough idea of where to look.
These three steps are really for when you want to go back into a file rather than creating one, so think of it as your categorized filing cabinet system (read File Organization for more information). You wouldn't just chuck things into a cabinet, so why do it with your computer? If you find it hard to organize your files as you go, then why not take some time once a week or month (whenever you can spare) and blitz the organizing. Don't lose your documents, file them!
For more information read Paper Organization.
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