Tired of reacting to the challenges your computer throws at you all day? There are probably hundreds of books on this topic. But all that content may undergird one simple idea; You should be firmly in control.
That doesn’t mean you need to be an IT administrator. But you should have a basic understanding of how everything works. Here are a few ideas to help you keep things working more smoothly:
1. Keep Files Organized
Littering your desktop screen haphazardly with sundry folders and documents can slow down your computer’s performance. Divide up your major tasks into project folders placed neatly in your documents folder. You don’t want folders and “nested” subfolders to get out of control. It can help to use numbers like “01-Project-Name” to put them in a logical order that’s easy to read vertically, at a glance. A similar idea for your mobile devices is to periodically delete apps you never use.
2. Apply Filenames with Foresight
Think about how you or someone else might search for this particular file three years from now. When you apply simple, logical names to files it helps you find things much more quickly. If a project evolves over a few weeks or months, reserve the right to update filenames with more accurate ones as needed.
3. Use Version Numbers
Add version numbers to filenames and create new ones periodically. We typically add “-v01” to the end of our first draft and continue changing them as we move forward. Inside your project folders you can also add a subfolder named “x-old” that will float to the bottom. That allows you to file away all your previous, old versions and reduce clutter. Version numbers will also save you from losing valuable work and save time when collaborating with colleagues.
4. Connect A Backup System or Drive
If you don’t save files to a network server that is regularly backed up, configure some kind of automatic backup scheme. We all have important files, so this is mandatory. There is 100% chance that your computer’s hard drive will fail. It’s just a question of how long yours will last. For Macs, we always have large backup drives attached and leverage an application called Time Machine. I recall several instances where Time Machine really saved the day. Also consider this advice Wired posted just last week regarding backups and the threat of “ransomware.”
5. Upgrade with Caution
Resist the temptation to upgrade new operating system releases as soon as they are announced. Updates tend to be buggy. Why not let the early adopters field and report all the bugs while you continue working away on a stable system? It might not sound as exciting. But applications that disappear or suddenly don’t work probably ain’t the kind of excitement you’re looking for!
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