Has anyone here ever been successful at organizing your computer? - GoFuckYourself.com

SmutHammer · 11-09-2012, 02:40 PM

I've got two main computers I use in different locations, I try to keep them both updated with the same files so I can work from either location.

Over time, Moving files, updating or reformatting your computer etc. I end up with tons of misc. files in folders all over the place. for example

sort, sort1, desktop, desktop1, desktop2, desktop work, desktop all, all files, from laptop etc.

I also have three hard drives full of stuff, and four external hd's...

my attempt at fixing this mess made me wonder if anyone who lives on their computer actually ever has things in order...

epitome · 11-09-2012, 02:43 PM

Yes. Organization is a main key to success.

I do not keep multiple computers synced as I only use one but that would be easy enough.

Failed · 11-09-2012, 02:43 PM

I have one folder that contains hundreds of sub folders organized perfectly. The file is backed up on a weekly basis to an external HD and can be transferred/updated from machine to machine at any time.

Take the time, even if it's a serious amount of time, and get organized. In the long run, perhaps even in the short run, you will increase your productivity.

Mr Pheer · 11-09-2012, 02:46 PM

I use a combination of Adobe Cloud, Dropbox, and a Seagate GoFlex drive to do all of this.

SmutHammer · 11-09-2012, 03:04 PM

I'm trying, I probably have the same files in 5 different places in the same computer...

Wish me luck.

Tom_PM · 11-09-2012, 03:13 PM

You have "desktop1" and "desktop2"? You win, because I end up with "stuff1" and "stuff2".

DeletedBlogger · 11-09-2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR_Tom

You have "desktop1" and "desktop2"? You win, because I end up with "stuff1" and "stuff2".

For me it's Newfolder1 Newfolder2

iwantchixx · 11-09-2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Hammer

I've got two main computers I use in different locations, I try to keep them both updated with the same files so I can work from either location.

Over time, Moving files, updating or reformatting your computer etc. I end up with tons of misc. files in folders all over the place. for example

sort, sort1, desktop, desktop1, desktop2, desktop work, desktop all, all files, from laptop etc.

I also have three hard drives full of stuff, and four external hd's...

my attempt at fixing this mess made me wonder if anyone who lives on their computer actually ever has things in order...

Yes, it's very simple and only took me almost 10 years to do and commit to.

Main PC stores everything where it needs to be. I have shortcuts on my desktop leading to every common folder I need access to and every common file as well.

On the other computer, I create those same shortcuts on the desktop but they lead to the main PC via network.

Same for music, video, documents, everything is on main pc. The usual icons for music, pics, video and documents on the other PC are altered to lead to the location on the main pc. The other pc is merely a "terminal" for lack of better explanation.

I also have all of this mirrored in exact same folder structure on an external 2TB drive attached to my main pc for master backup.

B.Barnato · 11-09-2012, 03:25 PM

I only use 1 machine (unless I am on the road with my netbook in my manbag).

After many attempts at keeping order I mostly resort to a monthly or bimonthly tidy which
gives me at least a chronological order to go by when searching for things i.e. Desktop Tidy March.

Sly · 11-09-2012, 03:26 PM

I set up a NAS that I can access from pretty much anywhere. I store most of my primary files on that. Then I pull files from it onto whatever computer I am using, edit, put back on. I also set up a proprietary version of Dropbox so I can give others access as well for collaboration.

Sunny Day · 11-09-2012, 03:34 PM

Organized is key.

Get a dedicated computer to act as a Server. You as the admin. Pc or Mac the software is cheap and so damn easy theses days.
Then set you up again as a user with a different user name.
Then move files to a large drive or drives. Run one of those programs that looks for duplicate files. But be very careful, two files may have the same name & file size so look at them to verify they are duplicates. Delete duplicates.
Organize files. Document files should be by year, subfolders by groups. That way in 2015, you can delete the 2005 files. Picture files can be be things like Family, cool space pics, big boobs, cartoons.
Then create a VPN. Again software is cheap & easy. This allows any machine on your network from any location to access the server and other drives.
Backup the server & other drives as often as you feel comfortable. Best, make 2 backups. One on-site for easy retrieval, the other in a secure location such as a safety deposit box.
People like Carbonite say it's free or cheap, but when you have TBs of files, it's damn expensive. Others here may have suggestions on offsite backups.

CYF · 11-09-2012, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Hammer

I've got two main computers I use in different locations, I try to keep them both updated with the same files so I can work from either location.

Over time, Moving files, updating or reformatting your computer etc. I end up with tons of misc. files in folders all over the place. for example

sort, sort1, desktop, desktop1, desktop2, desktop work, desktop all, all files, from laptop etc.

I also have three hard drives full of stuff, and four external hd's...

my attempt at fixing this mess made me wonder if anyone who lives on their computer actually ever has things in order...

damn.

You need dropbox, or a file server with rsync.

Rochard · 11-09-2012, 04:26 PM

Organization is key. To everything.

I don't have any files that I must have. Everything I need is online, but then again most of my work these days is email. Easy.

SmutHammer · 11-09-2012, 04:41 PM

Thanks for the info and suggestions, I'll check out drop box etc.

georgeyw · 11-09-2012, 04:49 PM

dropbox takes care of most of this...

American Psycho · 11-09-2012, 05:22 PM

no disrespect but my mother's who is 70 sounds more computer literate.

use cloud services to sync your files between multiple computers and spend the time to find out a good directory structure

SmutHammer · 11-09-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American Psycho

no disrespect but my mother's who is 70 sounds more computer literate.

use cloud services to sync your files between multiple computers and spend the time to find out a good directory structure

How would you use a cloud service with video/picture editing etc.? I'm mainly just talking about all computer files, not just work stuff, I find it hard to believe most people have everything all in order.

I'm not talking about having a computer linked in the same house/building. My computers are in different cities and I use both most every day.

Edit: Just checked out dropbox, I don't think it would be able to help me in my situation.

CYF · 11-09-2012, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Hammer

How would you use a cloud service with video/picture editing etc.? I'm mainly just talking about all computer files, not just work stuff, I find it hard to believe most people have everything all in order.

You need a central NAS or file server then.

TheSenator · 11-09-2012, 06:08 PM

My desk may be a mess but my computer is organized like a library.

Penny24Seven · 11-09-2012, 07:08 PM

I use two computers but I can get anything I want from computer 1 from computer 2. Why have 2 copies of it all?

robfantasy · 11-09-2012, 07:15 PM

hey bro use www.sugarsync.com its the best

AmateurKing · 11-09-2012, 07:18 PM

My desktops are a mess and almost filled up. Rest internal drives are somewhat organized though not in a fully ordered manner but instead in a way that I can immediately find the file etc. I need.

SmutHammer · 11-09-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian837

I use two computers but I can get anything I want from computer 1 from computer 2. Why have 2 copies of it all?

So that if I'm at the office or home and need to get something done I don't have to wait to be on my other computer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robfantasy

hey bro use www.sugarsync.com its the best

thanks but thats like dropbox, It won't work for what I do. Main thing that is a pain is trying to organize everything, It's been around 4 hours and I feel like I've barley accomplished anything... I'm sure it will pay off in the end, And help speed up my productivity.

rowan · 11-09-2012, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeletedBlogger

For me it's Newfolder1 Newfolder2

My main junk folder is simply named "t"

t was supposed to mean temp... but I just put everything in there anyway.

SmutHammer · 11-09-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowan

My main junk folder is simply named "t"

t was supposed to mean temp... but I just put everything in there anyway.

seems to always work out that way for me.

rowan · 11-09-2012, 07:28 PM

My computers and servers are so disorganised that when I do a reinstall from scratch I save the contents of the old comp/server indefinitely... because I'm always left wondering if I forgot to copy something to the new setup. I still have a drive image from 10 years ago sitting on my NAS.

bronco67 · 11-09-2012, 07:44 PM

It's actually not too hard. You make folders. Then you put stuff in them.

SmutHammer · 11-09-2012, 07:50 PM

Organizing the personal files are the hard part, Family pictures through out years, etc. It really sounds a lot easier than it is. The work stuff is going much smoother.

Due · 11-09-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Hammer

I've got two main computers I use in different locations, I try to keep them both updated with the same files so I can work from either location.

Over time, Moving files, updating or reformatting your computer etc. I end up with tons of misc. files in folders all over the place. for example

sort, sort1, desktop, desktop1, desktop2, desktop work, desktop all, all files, from laptop etc.

I also have three hard drives full of stuff, and four external hd's...

my attempt at fixing this mess made me wonder if anyone who lives on their computer actually ever has things in order...

First rule of organizing is to DATE it.

You should have:

2012-10-05 desktop1
2012-10-28 desktop2
etc etc

then it's a lot easier to locate the temporary desktop with the temporary edited file to verify it contains the same information.

Also it helps a lot if you get a new computer every 6 months or so, then you can import your mess into a special folder named YEAR-MONTH-COMPUTER,

On a mac it works great with "smart folders" etc

RKLover · 11-09-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco67

It's actually not too hard. You make folders. Then you put stuff in them.

I tried that once. Stuck with it for 20 years as it seemed to work. Helped even more when I gave them names that make sense and even created subfolders within them.

freecartoonporn · 11-09-2012, 10:41 PM

same thing here.,
recently bought 2 tb hdd, no time sort things.,

i have desktop1, desktop2

mydocments1, mydocumnets2
downloads1,downloads2,

i even have this

content,retouched content, watermarked content, uploaded content.
vidcontent,flvvideo,watermarkedflvvideo,uploadedwa termarkedflvvideo.
and so on.,

epitome · 11-09-2012, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Due

First rule of organizing is to DATE it.

You should have:

2012-10-05 desktop1
2012-10-28 desktop2
etc etc

then it's a lot easier to locate the temporary desktop with the temporary edited file to verify it contains the same information.

Also it helps a lot if you get a new computer every 6 months or so, then you can import your mess into a special folder named YEAR-MONTH-COMPUTER,

On a mac it works great with "smart folders" etc

Yup.

As an example for accounting I have a folder called receipts. Inside that are year folders. Inside them month folders. Inside them files like 2012-11-03-Staples.pdf.

Hell I still have every image for every blog post made because I also stored them by date.

11-09-2012, 02:40 PM	#1
SmutHammer Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,261	Has anyone here ever been successful at organizing your computer? I've got two main computers I use in different locations, I try to keep them both updated with the same files so I can work from either location. Over time, Moving files, updating or reformatting your computer etc. I end up with tons of misc. files in folders all over the place. for example sort, sort1, desktop, desktop1, desktop2, desktop work, desktop all, all files, from laptop etc. I also have three hard drives full of stuff, and four external hd's... my attempt at fixing this mess made me wonder if anyone who lives on their computer actually ever has things in order...

11-09-2012, 02:43 PM	#3
Failed Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2,301	I have one folder that contains hundreds of sub folders organized perfectly. The file is backed up on a weekly basis to an external HD and can be transferred/updated from machine to machine at any time. Take the time, even if it's a serious amount of time, and get organized. In the long run, perhaps even in the short run, you will increase your productivity. __________________ (ICQ - 664784872)

11-09-2012, 02:46 PM	#4
Mr Pheer Retired Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 21,215	I use a combination of Adobe Cloud, Dropbox, and a Seagate GoFlex drive to do all of this. __________________ 2 lifeguards for Jessica

11-09-2012, 03:13 PM	#6
Tom_PM Porn Meister Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 16,443	You have "desktop1" and "desktop2"? You win, because I end up with "stuff1" and "stuff2". __________________ 43-922-863 Shut up and play your guitar.

11-09-2012, 03:26 PM	#10
Sly Let's do some business! Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 31,327	I set up a NAS that I can access from pretty much anywhere. I store most of my primary files on that. Then I pull files from it onto whatever computer I am using, edit, put back on. I also set up a proprietary version of Dropbox so I can give others access as well for collaboration. __________________ Vacares - Web Hosting, Domains, O365, Security & More - Paxum and BTC Accepted Windows VPS now available Great for TSS, Nifty Stats, remote work, virtual assistants, etc. Click here for more details.

11-09-2012, 02:43 PM	#2
epitome So Fucking Lame Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 12,156	Yes. Organization is a main key to success. I do not keep multiple computers synced as I only use one but that would be easy enough.

11-09-2012, 03:04 PM	#5
SmutHammer Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,261	I'm trying, I probably have the same files in 5 different places in the same computer... Wish me luck.

11-09-2012, 03:25 PM	#9
B.Barnato So Fucking Banned Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 3,618	I only use 1 machine (unless I am on the road with my netbook in my manbag). After many attempts at keeping order I mostly resort to a monthly or bimonthly tidy which gives me at least a chronological order to go by when searching for things i.e. Desktop Tidy March.

11-09-2012, 03:34 PM	#11
Sunny Day Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 1,406	Organized Organized is key. Get a dedicated computer to act as a Server. You as the admin. Pc or Mac the software is cheap and so damn easy theses days. Then set you up again as a user with a different user name. Then move files to a large drive or drives. Run one of those programs that looks for duplicate files. But be very careful, two files may have the same name & file size so look at them to verify they are duplicates. Delete duplicates. Organize files. Document files should be by year, subfolders by groups. That way in 2015, you can delete the 2005 files. Picture files can be be things like Family, cool space pics, big boobs, cartoons. Then create a VPN. Again software is cheap & easy. This allows any machine on your network from any location to access the server and other drives. Backup the server & other drives as often as you feel comfortable. Best, make 2 backups. One on-site for easy retrieval, the other in a secure location such as a safety deposit box. People like Carbonite say it's free or cheap, but when you have TBs of files, it's damn expensive. Others here may have suggestions on offsite backups.

11-09-2012, 04:26 PM	#13
Rochard Jägermeister Test Pilot Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NORCAL Posts: 73,973	Organization is key. To everything. I don't have any files that I must have. Everything I need is online, but then again most of my work these days is email. Easy. __________________ “The choice is no longer between right or left. The choice is between normal and crazy.” - Sarah Huckabee Sanders YNOT MAIL \| THE BEST ADULT MAILING SOLUTION

11-09-2012, 04:41 PM	#14
SmutHammer Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,261	Thanks for the info and suggestions, I'll check out drop box etc.

11-09-2012, 04:49 PM	#15
georgeyw 58008 53773 Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 9,864	dropbox takes care of most of this... __________________ TripleXPrint on Megan Fox "I would STILL suck her pussy until her face caved in. And then blow her up and do it again!"

11-09-2012, 05:22 PM	#16
American Psycho Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,068	no disrespect but my mother's who is 70 sounds more computer literate. use cloud services to sync your files between multiple computers and spend the time to find out a good directory structure

11-09-2012, 06:08 PM	#19
TheSenator Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 13,336	My desk may be a mess but my computer is organized like a library. __________________ ISeekGirls.com since 2005

11-09-2012, 07:08 PM	#20
Penny24Seven So Fucking What Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 6,287	I use two computers but I can get anything I want from computer 1 from computer 2. Why have 2 copies of it all? __________________ Our site is coming soon. It will be one of the best ever! I know so. Brian and Penny

11-09-2012, 07:15 PM	#21
robfantasy Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Medellin, Colombia Posts: 6,445	hey bro use www.sugarsync.com its the best __________________ Looking to speak w/ high volume nutra CPA affiliates or networks... msg me

11-09-2012, 07:18 PM	#22
AmateurKing Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 95	My desktops are a mess and almost filled up. Rest internal drives are somewhat organized though not in a fully ordered manner but instead in a way that I can immediately find the file etc. I need.

11-09-2012, 07:28 PM	#26
rowan Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 17,393	My computers and servers are so disorganised that when I do a reinstall from scratch I save the contents of the old comp/server indefinitely... because I'm always left wondering if I forgot to copy something to the new setup. I still have a drive image from 10 years ago sitting on my NAS.

11-09-2012, 07:44 PM	#27
bronco67 Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 29,032	It's actually not too hard. You make folders. Then you put stuff in them. __________________

11-09-2012, 07:50 PM	#28
SmutHammer Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,261	Organizing the personal files are the hard part, Family pictures through out years, etc. It really sounds a lot easier than it is. The work stuff is going much smoother.

11-09-2012, 10:41 PM	#31
freecartoonporn Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NC Posts: 7,683	same thing here., recently bought 2 tb hdd, no time sort things., i have desktop1, desktop2 mydocments1, mydocumnets2 downloads1,downloads2, i even have this content,retouched content, watermarked content, uploaded content. vidcontent,flvvideo,watermarkedflvvideo,uploadedwa termarkedflvvideo. and so on., __________________ SSD Cloud Server, VPS Server, Simple Cloud Hosting \| DigitalOcean