e-documents

Forget about the mountains of papers on your desk and think about your computer for a moment. How does it look? Can you find documents easily? Or do you have so many documents you don't know where to start?

Organizing your computer is an important part of making your life easier and more efficient. Here are some ideas to get your computer organized and keep it that way.

1. Set up broad-category folders. You can then set up subfolders within each category.

2. Name your files and folders with meaningful and recognizable names. Also, be specific and include dates if possible. The goal when naming files is to be able to tell what the file is about without having to open it and look.

3. Reserve your desktop for items that need immediate attention. When you are done with them, file them in the proper folder. Try not to store documents long-term on your desktop.

4. Back up your files often so they can be cleared from your computer. There are a number of affordable back-up options that will keep all your important files, media and photos saved if anything should happen to your computer.

5. Regularly download excess music files onto discs, flash drives or backup drives to keep your computer clear of clutter.

6. Store all pictures in the same place, re-naming them so you can recognize them later. There are also down-loadable options available online, or online storage.

With just a few tweaks, you will have a more organized (and much more user-friendly) computer. Check back tomorrow for tips and ideas for your e-mail!