The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Drowning in a sea of files

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by CuriousN, Apr 3, 2011.

  1. CuriousN

    CuriousN Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    359
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Over the years I have accumulated a ton of files in different formats (audio, video, text) on a bunch of different topics.
    Does anyone know any good ways/resources for getting files organized? I'm debating whether its best to split all this stuff by format or by topic. Also can I place some sort of tags on files so its easier to find them through search?
     
    CuriousN, Apr 3, 2011
    #1
  2. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,314
    Messages:
    4,901
    Likes Received:
    1,132
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Why don't you like simple and usual "My..." folders? In Windows 7 you can easily change their location. txt and pdf and other files go to My Documents as other "My..." folders
     
    James D, Apr 3, 2011
    #2
  3. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

    Reputations:
    4,013
    Messages:
    3,521
    Likes Received:
    170
    Trophy Points:
    131
    First question where are they stored? I would recommend putting then on an external Hard drive or at least in a partition other that the partition that runs your OS. I personally use Topic sorting have everything backed up as well in a second external HD that I store away from home. Unlike some here I do not enjoy reloading windows or redownloading movies, games etc(slow internet connection here as well as limited knowledge of computer)
     
    JOSEA, Apr 3, 2011
    #3
  4. anseio

    anseio All ways are my ways.

    Reputations:
    1,940
    Messages:
    2,418
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    You've got to start with a "system". How do you want things to look when all is said and done? Do you use iTunes? I don't anymore, but you can use it to search your computer for music and then let it move everything to the iTunes folder. I, personally, use Media Monkey paid version. Similarly, but with more control, you can highlight every single song in your library, regardless of it's actual location on your computer, and auto-organize them all while specifying the folder/name structure and destination to move everything.

    I think it's best to separate what are your documents from your pictures from your music from your movies and then sift from there.

    Use your "My..." folders and libraries. They're helpful.
     
    anseio, Apr 3, 2011
    #4
  5. CuriousN

    CuriousN Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    359
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Do My... folders offer any advantage over regular folders? Do the Windows/Media Monkey libraries work for anything besides music and video?
    I'm storing all of this on an external hard drive.
     
    CuriousN, Apr 3, 2011
    #5
  6. anseio

    anseio All ways are my ways.

    Reputations:
    1,940
    Messages:
    2,418
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    No more than any other way. they're just already categorized. Make your own on the external drive if you want, but start somewhere.
     
    anseio, Apr 3, 2011
    #6
  7. CuriousN

    CuriousN Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    359
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Is it possible to attach some sort of tags to files, so it's easier to search for the files? I am talking about the kind of tags you see on YouTube.

    Such as:

    UBC
    Computer
    Science
    CPSC
    Distinguished
    Lecture
    Series
    DLS
    Peter
    Norvig
    PeterNorvig
     
    CuriousN, May 14, 2011
    #7
  8. anseio

    anseio All ways are my ways.

    Reputations:
    1,940
    Messages:
    2,418
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Try this link:
    Tag your files for easier searches in Windows 7 | TechRepublic

    I've just tried on some of my files. Seems that you can add tags to office documents (at least .xls and .doc), photos (at least .jpg and .tiff) and music. I could not tag .pdf, anything from Open Office, or any of my .mkv video files.
     
    anseio, May 14, 2011
    #8