menu. Doing this will always cause the Save As window to appear. First
indicate in the Save In
area at the top of the window where you want the folder created. A drop down
arrow
can be clicked on to see a list of possible destinations.TOPIC 5: COMPUTER FILE MANAGEMENT
Good file management will save you time and many headaches! Time spent searching for your "best stuff" or the "stuff" you absolutely need is valuable time you can spend on your course work or anything else that needs to be done. Here are some recommendations.
1. Obtain at least 3 to 5 formatted diskettes or some other form of portable storage, such as a USB Smart Drive (just make sure that the computers you are using have a USB [Universal System Bus] port before depending on a USB memory stick) or CD-RW (Compact Disk – Read/Write). These will be used to back up your course files that are stored on your C: Drive (the computer hard drive) or used to save your work if you are not using your own computer.
2. If you are using diskettes, label each diskette clearly. Use whatever organizational system makes sense to you. You may want to put all your assignments on one diskette; you may want to have one for Internet sources, or you may want to organize the diskettes by modules, topics, units, projects, or chapters. The key is to:
a. Find a system that makes sense to YOU
b. Clearly label the diskettes or files on the hard drive so that you do not have to open each file to find the one you want.
3. Save a copy of everything you submit for class. If a problem does occur you can easily send the assignment again.
4. If you are working on the C: Drive (hard drive) save your files in My Documents or other folders on the C: Drive. Avoid saving data files on the root directory of the C: Drive because the computer it may have a limited capability for handling the files. Avoid saving file on the Desktop (the screen image that appears after you start your computer and before you have any programs started) with twenty or thirty assignments the Desktop would become cluttered.
5. Keep a backup diskette of your diskettes or hard drive files.
6. Remember diskettes store data magnetically. Placing them near a magnet, clocks, cell phones, speakers, computer monitor, or other items with motors can erase them.
7. Virus check your diskettes if you have put them in computers you typically don't use. Indiscriminate disketting can be hazardous to your files and hard drive.
8. Protect your diskettes. They are pretty tough but damaged diskettes may not load properly and you won't have access to your work.
9. Creating folders on your storage device is a great way to organize your files. You may want to have a folder for each Internet sources, or you may want to organize the diskettes by modules, topics, units, projects, or chapters. Making a new folder can be done several different ways.
a. When you are ready to
save a file, use the Save As command in the File
menu. Doing this will always cause the Save As window to appear. First
indicate in the Save In
area at the top of the window where you want the folder created. A drop down
arrow
can be clicked on to see a list of possible destinations.
Look at the list and
click on the location (My Documents, 3 1/2 Floppy (A:), etc.) where you
want the folder to be created. At the top right of the Save As window is a
yellow folder with an asterisk (*) in the upper right corner. This icon is the
Create New Folder icon
.
Point to it with the mouse pointer and pause long enough to get a screen tip
telling you its purpose. If the screen tip doesn't say "Create New Folder,"
then you are pointing at the wrong icon and will need to move your mouse.
Clicking on the Create New Folder icon prompts you to select the location to
create the folder and to name the folder. Type in a meaningful name for the
folder and click "OK". After clicking "OK", the folder is open and you can save
your file to it.
b. The second method for creating a new folder begins in one of three ways depending on your computer's operating system:
1) For Windows XP click on Start button and then click on My Computer located on the right side of the Startup Menu.
2) For other versions of Windows click on Start button then roll up to Programs. Roll to the right and click on Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer).
3) For most versions of Windows you can press and hold down the Windows button (on most keyboards this key is between the Ctrl and Alt keys) and then tap the letter E key one time. It may take several seconds for the Windows Explorer to start/launch so you should not tap the letter E key more than once (holding down the letter E key could launch several Windows Explorer windows).
In the My Computer or
the Windows Explorer window select the location where you want the new folder.
Then click on Menu Bar item "File"
and then click on "New" in the drop-down menu and then roll to the right submenu
and click on "Folder". A folder icon will appear in the right hand window with
the default name of New Folder. Without clicking, begin typing the name you
want your new folder to have. Type a name that means something useful for you
and then press the Enter key.
Another way to create the folder after selecting the location for the new folder is to right-click on an open space in the windowpane on the right side of the screen and click "New" in the drop-down menu that appears and then click "Folder" from the submenu. A folder icon will appear in the right hand window with the default name of New Folder. Without clicking, begin typing the name you want your new folder to have. Type a name that means something useful for you and then press the Enter key.
End of Topic 5.
Continue to Topic 6
Topic 4: Time Management Topic 6: Creating, Saving, and Opening Documents
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Revised August 2011