Sharon F wrote:
> consistency is the key.
> Once you have developed your own plan, stick to it
> When performing system maintenance, check for "loose ends"
> and move them into your chosen folder structure.

Hi Sharon,

I agree. What I do for consistency is I have a set of CDROMs & DVDs
backed up that I call my "blueprints". I use these whenever I set up a
new PC.

Over the years, I learned to give up on trying to reign in the YAFFO
Microsoft Mess. In the olden days, I used to change the registry keys
for the common files dir, program files dir, data directory, etc. Too
many programs had hard-coded paths that didn't use system variables.

Lately, I simply maintain a CDROM of a consistent yet EMPTY set of
hierarchies for each of the FIVE key areas:
- Application installations, i.e., C:\My
Programs\{Archivers,Browsers,Calendars, etc.}
- Application data, i.e., C:\My Data\My
Programs\{Archivers,Browsers,Calendars, etc.}
- Application menus, i.e., Start->My
Programs\{{Archivers,Browsers,Calendars, etc.}
- Application installers, i.e., C:\My
Installers\{Archivers,Browsers,Calendars, etc.}
- Send-To menu, i.e., Send To -> {Archivers,Browsers,Calendars, etc.}

I call this framework CD of blank blueprint files my YAHOO CD (yet
another hierarchical organizational option).

My use model, when I set up a new system, is so simple and yet so
intuitive. All I do is grab my YAHOO CD and copy the file structure
over. This has worked time and time again. Nothing needs to be changed
in the original system (I gave up long ago using PC Magazine's Change
of Address (coa32.exe) to try to fix the default YAFFO Microsoft Mess).

Then, from that point forward:
- I save all downloaded installers where they belong (e.g., c:\my
installers\...)

During installation:
- I install all programs where they belong (e.g., c:\my programs\...)
- I set up the program default data locations (e.g., c:\my data\...)

Immediately after installation:
- I move the original shortcut to where it belongs (e.g., Start->my
programs\...)
- I copy a shortcut to the SendTo menu (e.g., Send To -> my
programs\...)

Voila! Instantly organized Windows PC!
Everything has a place to go BEFORE I even start the installation of
anything!
All data is kept in a single hierarchy, in a known logical hierarchy.
All menus are in the same known logical hierarchy.
All installers are kept in the same known logical hierarchy.

What could be simpler or easier?
All it takes is the upfront work of deciding upon the organizational
tree (which I've already done for every single type of program I've
ever encountered).

I write this lengthy reply because I think, as you appear to believe
also, that many millions would benefit from this simple organizational
YAHOO CD idea. And I wish to help them. And to improve my own YAHOO CD
blueprints!

Together, we welcome polite discussion that increases our knowledge as
a whole,
Susan