Tip - Use your Desktop!

[rspassey]

Hi all,

I just thought I would share this little tip I picked up a while ago, which is that:

When working on something (like an essay or paper) which is going to take multiple days of work to finish, make a shortcut to the desktop, so that everytime one boots up or comes onto the computer, the document is there, staring at you in the face; reminding you to work on it.

No so much a tip, but something I have found to be pretty helpful.

~Ryan

[glc]

Let me elaborate a bit - don't put the FILE on the desktop - leave it in My Documents - right click on the file and select Send To, select Desktop (create shortcut). Desktops are not for files, they are for shortcuts. The more stuff you have on your desktop, the longer it takes Windows to start.

[jlee031]

wow!! i think this might work!! thats probaly my biggest weakness inever thought of that cause i turn on my computer to work on some school work i can always fin d somthin better to do like search stupid things on the web or starting a game then iam stayin up til 7 oclock when the class is at 9 on tuseday night wich i did last week and had to write that 8 page history paper on why the south should of won the war. i will for sure tell u like next week when i try this
also i find out how this paper got graded iam sure it has a lot of grammer probloms but i have goten better at writen pappers under the gun i mean iam in college wher beer always has a priotrity over school work

[Statica]

Or if you really want to get nagged, drag the shortcut into your "Startup" folder of the Programs menu. That will essentially pop-up your document everytime you log in!

[heymrdj]

Originally Posted by glc Let me elaborate a bit - don't put the FILE on the desktop - leave it in My Documents - right click on the file and select Send To, select Desktop (create shortcut). Desktops are not for files, they are for shortcuts. The more stuff you have on your desktop, the longer it takes Windows to start.

So is a desktop like this bad? Not that its mine or anything...just curious..

PS: Don't you love my pic of Mahoro in the background. Its from Mahoromatic .

[blue60007]

Oh my, you might want to relocate some of that stuff. Make a folder(s) in My Documents to store alike files...

[heymrdj]

But that takes work :P. Besides I have my own filesystem called EATAF (Easy Access To ALL FILES). Yes sir, anything I want I can find in two minutes on my desktop. I wish I had dual monitors to extend it. As is plain to see...I'm almost outta space.

[glc]

I don't want to hear you complain how long it takes to load Windows if you insist on putting all that stuff on the desktop.

[Statica]

Originally Posted by heymrdj So is a desktop like this bad? Not that its mine or anything...just curious.. PS: Don't you love my pic of Mahoro in the background. Its from Mahoromatic .

Your desktop is wrong on so many levels beyond just storing files on there. The way XP handles things, you might not see a performance hit with files on there .. but I notice that you're one of those that wants to get through the Windows way of life without seeing file extensions? Hasn't there been enough malware exploiting people who prefer to see icons and trusting files than seeing extensions?

Your way of storage is, IMO, begging for a higher than usual fragmentation. You've stored frequently (I hope) access/edited files along with installers all in your desktop. I dont know about your usage, but usually installers, are hardly every touched once a program is installed. Especially when some of them are downloadable I just dont see the point of it.

But of course, it's your desktop and your filesystem ..

[juppy]

Originally Posted by Statica I dont know about your usage, but usually installers, are hardly every touched once a program is installed.

I used to just leave the installers on the desktop as well, but when it started looking cluttered I came up with a new plan......I just made a new folder on the main C: root drive, called it "Installers", and saved all of them in there in case I need to reinstall something later on. Keeps 'em out of the way but they're still there in case I need them someday.

[rspassey]

Originally Posted by juppy I used to just leave the installers on the desktop as well, but when it started looking cluttered I came up with a new plan......I just made a new folder on the main C: root drive, called it "Installers", and saved all of them in there in case I need to reinstall something later on. Keeps 'em out of the way but they're still there in case I need them someday.

I also think it is a good idea to keep backup's of security program's installers on a CD or pendrive - that way if a PC we are cleaning up is really bogged down with junk / spyware / malware / viruses and cannot connect to the 'net to download software, we have removers and cleaners available.

[heymrdj]

Wow you guys take your stuff literally :P. Thing is its only increased load times by 4 seconds :P. My system handles stuff well. As for the installers, its cause I run it about every 2 days..

[rspassey]

Why do you run an installer that often?

[heymrdj]

Most of them video editing experiments etc. Programs remember too much. So I delete them to clear their cache. Also helps give me more unbiased experiments (not biased by other codecs).

[Stuey]

Reading this thread reminded me I have to file everything away now. I have some 120 files/folders/installation apps on my desktop. With projects requiring half a dozen files typically, I just plop them on the desktop for easy access.

BUT the shortcut method is a good idea and I'll try to adhere to it. I actually have several gigs of files on the desktop; no wonder Windows is a bit laggy upon startup!

Anyways, thanks for the tip!

[MakeYourslf2012]

I would go crazy with a desktop like that...I don't have any icon's - just the desktop tab on the start bar.