Storage Issues - Clearing the Creative Slate
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My storage files are screaming for attention. I purchased an external hard drive back in September because my computer just could not hold everything anymore. It complained and belched and sputtered whenever I asked it to do something simple.
Once the hard drive arrived, I promptly tossed all my files onto it, and pretty much ignored the fact that I only solved part of the problem.
As I have a little time to actually look at everything, I am a little intimidated as to where to start cleaning up the mass of ideas, projects, and graphics that I have accumulated in a relatively short period of time.
So, I click the little "X" on the window to the external drive again, and let out a big sigh because I just cannot seem to wrap my brain around it, I am reminded of when I was more of a traditional crafter.
The days when I worked in a lot of other mediums, each one encompassing a myriad of supplies, patterns, color swatches, brushes, paint bottles! You name it, I had it in my downstairs workshop. Every year my husband would take the Christmas tree back down to the basement, and ask me "what are you going to do with all this stuff"? I would almost always reply in a very sweet voice that I was going to go through it and get it organized "soon", when I could find some time. He would roll his eyes and give me that "Yeah, right" look.
You know the one. It's the same look he gets from me in regards to his "stuff".
I guess the same could be said about digital crafting, scrap booking and graphic files. They pile up on ya! So, here are a couple of tips on how to get a handle on your creative clutter that may have your computer busting at the seams:
Organize Your Graphic Images
1. Buy an external hard drive if you do not already have one. I will confess I bought mine at Tigerdirect.com. Not affiliated with them in any way, but they have great prices, service is outstanding, and a good guarantee and rebate program. You may also want to look into adding an internal hard drive because they cost much less. I opted for an external because I use more than one computer and can move it from one machine to another easily using a USB cable.
You can also purchase an internal hard drive that gets directly installed to your computer case. I purchased a 8MB Buffer Memory 250 GB 3.5 inch Mobile Disk, from BeyondMicro. It's advised to do a bit of research and decide what amount of storage space you may need based on what you need to store, and also check out buffer sizes which effect disk speed and memory. Also advised is to look at cost opposed to flexibility in deciding what will work best for you.
2. Start at a top level folder and begin sorting files into categories. Create category folders if needed. Categories are where I sometimes run into trouble because you will need to decide whether to sort graphics or files by color, theme, size, etc.
3. Pay attention to file names. Sometimes taking the extra time to change a name structure can save you time and searching later on, so try to think "long term" when naming your files. An example would be, you have a sunflower layout you want to keep, by naming it "sunflower1" you open up room for more sunflower layouts in the future and you can name them 2, 3, 4 etc. and can keep all like (sunflower) themes together making it easier to find later.
4. Use a file and naming system that works for you. I usually use the "power of association" when sorting through my files and use words that will trigger a memory of what the project in a folder was about, and then I do not have to click open the folder to see what it is. A good idea to go to your folder preferences and have the folder show a thumbnail view of the folder contents, that really helps with the confusion of what is inside a folder and can be seen easily.
5. Clean up downloaded files you don’t use, zip files from programs, and general clutter.
6. Empty the cache of both your web browser and any image editing software you use to free up some space. Make sure you empty your recycle bin when you are completely finished. Wait until you are done, you might find something you deleted accidentally or changed your mind about.
7. If you have a bunch of files you don't use very often, compress them and zip them up with a program like Winzip, to allow for more storage space.
8. Finally, and THE MOST IMPORTANT
Back up your files. That’s right. Save yourself the agony of losing something important or precious and back up everything preferably to two sources such as a hard drive and disks so you have two copies. Although I love my new hard drive, their failure is a reality and can happen, just as the CD rom disks can be left in the sun and fried. Give yourself the peace of knowing you have an extra copy.
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© 2002 and beyond by - L. Schoen
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For more information and articles about Paint Shop Pro and graphic design,
visit Heaven Country Graphics or contact the author.
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