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Here's how I organize my
files (when I'm diligent enough to actually perform ALL steps).
1. Download to my DOWNLOAD folder.
2. Open BuzzTools and aim it at the download folder.
3. In BuzzTools, press F8 to create text files for each of the designs.
4. Double click on one of the text files.
5. Press F5 to insert time and date.
6. Copy my template into the text file (see below) and fill it out.
7. Once all text files are filled out I extract the whole catalog.
8. Open Explorer twice. Aim one at the download folder and the other at the
storage folders.
9. Drag the files from the download folder into its category folder.
Here's the template I have in a program called
Cardfile. This program came with Windows
3.1 and hasn't been available to newer versions of Windows. Other
programs of this type can be found at some of the download sites
available.
DESIGNER:
EMAIL:
URL:
CATEGORY:
KEYWORDS:
COPYRIGHT:
========= Designer's Notes =========
I have a card in the program for every site I download from. I have this template as the
very first card in the program so it's readily available. Everything is filled out except
for the Category and Keyword "fields". That way I only have to copy/paste the
card into the text files created by
buzztools. Once this template is filled out you won't
have to type all the same information over again.... just copy it from
Cardfile and paste
it into the text file created by
buzztools. Then, in the text file, fill out the category
and keyword fields.
Did you know Buzztools has a keyword function? When I discovered this jewel I decided I
just had to use it. You can aim BT at any folder with designs in it and do a keyword
search for the design you want by searching through the text files. THIS is the very
reason I started using the system I use now. I once kept track of things in a spread sheet
but was tired of having to retype the same information over and over... thus the
cardfile
template.
If you don't have Cardfile you can copy this template into a text file and save it for
future use. If you want a
cardfile program I'm sure there are shareware or even maybe free
cardfile programs available on the internet. Try
ZDNet or one of the other popular
shareware sites. If you have a windows me cd, or win98 cd, you can also
extract cardfile from that cd. Instructions can be found
here.
Another thing I do... instead of opening Explorer... Did you know you can create an
address menu in Windows 98 and XP? Right click on the task bar and select Toolbars, then on
Address. It will appear on your taskbar, but you can put it anywhere you want! Mine is on
the top of my screen and I set it to auto-hide so it doesn't obstruct other things. In
this address bar are the "addresses" to various folders on my system that I use
often. Included in it are the download folder and the storage folders for designs. You'll
have to open Explorer to obtain the addresses for the address bar. Ok... so now you're
wondering WHY, right? Well... when you open a folder from the address bar you don't get a
split window like in Explorer. You get a "normal" window with just that
directory in it. It is STILL an Explorer window, but without the split. And, it's VERY
fast to surf to just where I want to be.
I hope these tips help you to organize your downloaded designs. Yes, it will take time to
get them all organized. Once you're done with this you will be glad you did it! And, if
you maintain the habit of organizing while downloading you'll be way ahead of the game. :)
My downfall is not finishing the job... I'll get the designs noted and all, but don't
always move them right away to the storage folder. Big mistake! Now I have a LOT of work
to do just to "catch up".
If your downloads suddenly don't go where you
want you've probably unchecked the box on the download window. Here's how to fix it:
Windows 98:
Open any directory in Explorer.
Click on VIEW/FOLDER OPTIONS
Click on FILE TAB
Scroll down the list of programs until you find Winzip. Click on Winzip ONCE.
Click the EDIT button.
At the bottom of that window put a checkmark in the box next to "Confirm open after
download".
Click OK on the two screens. Now you should get that option again. XP: Open any directory
(folder) in Windows Explorer.
Click on TOOLS/FOLDER OPTIONS
Click on ADVANCED
Click on FILE TYPES tab
Scroll down the list of programs until you find
Winzip. Click on
Winzip
ONCE.
Click the ADVANCED button at the bottom of the window.
At the bottom of that window put a checkmark in the box next to "Confirm
open after download".
Click OK on the two screens. Now you should get that option again.
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