Question: Organize Files on a Storage Device Using Folders Organizing the files on a storage device not only can improve your computer's performance, but it also can make your files easy to locate. If you are accustomed to saving files to your desktop or to a folder on your storage device, you should consider organizing the files by storing them in appropriate folders. The following steps guide you through the process of using folders to organize files on a storage device.
a. Review the types of files you currently store on your device.
b. Current operating systems, such as Windows and Mac OS, include locations for storing different types of files, such as documents, music, video, and photos. Within these locations, however, you should create additional folders to further organize these file types. The method you use to organize each file type might vary.
1. Create folders to store your documents by the type of content they contain. For example, you might create separate folders to store files related to academics, finances, and entertainment. Then, consider whether you should create folders within these folders. For instance, you might create additional folders within the Academics folder to organize your files by subject.
2. Create folders to store your music by genre. Within each genre, create additional folders to sort your music by artist. If you have many songs for a particular artist, consider creating folders within the artist's folder to store the songs by album.
3. Create folders to store your photos and videos either by date, event, or a combination of the two. For example, you could have a folder for a particular year, and then within that folder, create additional folders for all events that occurred within that year.
c. Although the desktop seems to be a convenient location to store files, it quickly can become cluttered. The only files you should store on the desktop are the ones you will need in the immediate future. If will not need a file again for at least several days, consider storing it in one of the folders mentioned previously.
d. Review the files on your storage device periodically and delete the ones you no longer need. Delete only the files you have placed on your storage device; be careful not to delete files that any programs or the operating system may need to run.
Exercises: 1. Review the files and folders on your storage device. In your opinion, do you feel they are organized effectively? Why or why not?
2. How are the files and folders on your storage device organized?
3. When you take photos on a digital camera, the camera often generates a file name consisting of a generic prefix and sequential number. What are some ways to identify the photos easily on your digital camera's memory card?