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General discussion

File Organization

Feb 20, 2007 9:26AM PST

I am going through and organizing my massive collection of utilities and files I have gathered, and using C|Net to help me with this. I however in some situations find myself disagreeing where files are placed, and the categories they are falling into. What is the proper way to have these looked into.

Some Examples:
NoAdaware ( http://www.download.com/NoAdware/3640-2650_4-10579656.html?tag=tab_ur) is showing up in the Sales and Marketing Tools?

NetLimiter shows up in two places. Version 1.3 shows up in the Internet Explorer Add-Ons section ( http://www.download.com/NetLimiter/3000-12776_4-10227459.html?tag=lst-0-1)
and NetLimiter Professional 2.0.9.1 shows up in some Internet section under Windows Software yet when you click the windows software tab you receive different groupings then the ones shown ( http://www.download.com/NetLimiter-Pro/3000-2017_4-10586397.html?tag=lst-0-2)

I hope I've been clear, and these examples will help you understand where I would like to be of help. GREAT Site and it is helping a whole lot I just would like to return the favor if possible.

Discussion is locked

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download.com categories...
Feb 20, 2007 12:26PM PST

Each one of Cnet's 'properties' has its own seperate staff, so any inquiries concerning download.com would be best submitted using this web form...just select "CNET download.com" and "Software downloads" as the category and subcategory, respectively. (You will find that we can answer some questions and forward complaints, but they don't actually read through these forums.)

In the case of categorization, however, it's up for interpretation and, to my knowledge, is mostly determined by the author/developer as opposed to Cnet staff. NoAdaware, for example, blocks tracking cookies, which is used by internet advertising agencies for marketing purposes. While I would think of it as an Antispyware application and organize it accordingly, it is actually related to "Sales and Marketing Tools" in that it is designed to block them. In the case of NetLimiter, it's a little more differentiated in that one is a small plugin for Internet Explorer whereas the other is a full application that extends to all internet-accessing applications, not just IE.

Given the number of programs available on download.com, it has far more categories than you will probably ever need, so I wouldn't use their organization system as a blueprint. Personally, I created a spreadsheet of all applications I keep on hand, including names, brief descriptions, and ratings. With that setup I find it easy to perform a quick search or sort to locate a particular type of program by keyword, and then follow an embedded link to its location on my hard drive. It completely eliminates the need for structured organization, which is especially helpful when one fits into multiple categories or, worse yet, none at all.

Regards,
John

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Thank-you
Feb 20, 2007 1:30PM PST

Thank you for your reply and help. My thought was to organize the files using their structure first, then after that to create a spreadsheet as you mentioned possibly even a small database though a flat spreadsheet will probably serve best. If I got to the point where it really needed two locations the idea was to build short cuts to the other locations. But, maybe your right maybe I am making this harder then I need to. Once again thank-you for all your help.

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My own system
Feb 20, 2007 7:35PM PST

To be honest I'm not entirely sure what you mean by organizing your collection of files and utilities. Unless I misunderstand you, this could mean one of two things;

1] When installing a program/application/utility, where on the hard disk do I install it?

2] If I lose the use of the application for any reason, eg, program corruption, system crash, etc, and need to re-install it, where do I get/store the original install .exe file on my hard disk?

I use Windows Explorer a lot. (Not Internet Explorer, but Windows Explorer, to manage my files on the hard disk). With a new and pristine computer system I create folders on the hard drive for particular sets of uses, eg a Games folder, an Entertainments folder, a Work folder and a System Utilities folder. From then on, every time I install an application I watch the install process for the section that asks where I want to install it, and I change the location accordingly. For instance, when I installed Tiger Woods' PGA Golf Tour, I selected the Games folder, created a new sub-folder called Golf, then inside that another sub-folder called TigerWoods. I then let the game install there. Sometimes I use Windows Explorer to prepare the folders/sub-folders before starting the install, to make sure I have the right location.

I have a number of System utilities, and so a number of sub-folders inside. One I often use is called "CleanSystem", and inside that is where all my backup anti-malware utilities are loaded, eg SpywareBlaster, CCleaner, etc.

However I will often use the default My Programs folder on the C drive for what I consider are my "always used" applications, like browsers, anti-virus, firewall, etc. I tend to do this because I feel, (perhaps mistakenly), that it is easier for the Operating System to access them from the default locations.

All the while of course, I am aware that many applications place folders in other locations, such as account folders in Documents & Settings. I can do little about that.

With my backup installation .exe files, I have a "Download" folder on the C drive, with sub-folders for games, work, System Utilities, etc, and in here I save the original installation files in case I need to re-install any programs. I back up this main Download folder often.

I did try to keep a simple list in a Word.doc, but found I didn't keep it up to date. Perhaps a spreadsheet would have been better. But because I know and understand my own system, I know where to find files.

I think that's the key. Set up your own system and use that.

Or have I got your original query wrong? Happy

Mark

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del.icio.us tagging
Feb 20, 2007 9:28PM PST

I have got in the habit of tagging relevant links with del.icio.us. I use "tools" as a primary collection tag, a unique proper (capatilized) tag for a tool (e.g. "MusicIP"), and then additional tags for OS (e.g. linux, vista), function (e.g. music, audio, sysadmin), and link type (e.g. support, reference, review, download).

I also add a "totest" tag to anything new that looks that it might be of interest.

I did not go back and try to catalog everything I have ever used but do consciously try to appropriately tag new links as I find / use them.

One additional feature in del.icio.us is the capability to add notes to links. Handy place to keep additional notes if needed.

I keep to a flat structure in disk storage, but, do categorize my menu links by "function". I also keep a favourites menu folder which has quick links to frequently used tools.

My 2cents.