RIVER BENDER - AUGUST  2004

Files

Every file has a name and an extension, such as list.txt. The extension defines the type of file. For example, .txt denotes an ordinary text file. Most programs have an .exe file, called an application file, that when clicked on makes the program run. Most graphic files are .jpg or .gif. A complete list of file extensions can be seen at http://www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/filetypes.html. If you right-click on a file and select open with you may see suggested programs that display the file or you can select choose from to see a list of programs. Your PC might be optioned to hide critical files from you. To make sure you can see all the files go to My Computer/Tools/Folder Options/View and check Show hidden files and folders. For Windows 98 users go to View instead of Tools. While you're in Folder Options you might want to select single-click instead of double-click for your mouse to open a file, folder or icon.

Folders

Files are usually saved in folders. When new programs are installed folders are created to hold the program files. One can also create a folder and name it. For example, to create a folder on the C drive click on My Computer followed by Drive C then select File, New, Folder and give the new folder a name, perhaps Personal. Now if you create a letter called Jones.txt it can be saved at C:/Personal/Jones.txt which is called the path.

Copying & Moving Files

You can copy or move files from one folder to another several ways: (1) You can right-click on the file name and select copy then right-click on the folder where you want it saved and select paste. If you use cut/paste instead of copy/paste you will move the file. (2) If you display both folders on the screen by resizing the displays you may drag a file from one folder to other. Simply hold down the left mouse key on the file name and drag it to the new folder and release the mouse. This will move the file. To copy it, hold down the Ctrl key during the process. (3) Right-click on the file name and select Send to and you'll see several choices. Select Desktop and you'll create a shortcut Icon on your desktop for the file. I have Icons for numerous files and folders on my desktop that I access daily. Also you'll see 3 1/2 Floppy on the Send to menu that is useful to copy files to a blank diskette placed in your floppy drive. If you have a USB port on your PC you'll probably see Removable disk on the Send to menu. This is useful to copy numerous files and folders to a memory stick plugged into the USB port which can then be transported to another PC with a USB port. This is how I keep active files updated between my PC and Laptop.

Adding a location to the Send To menu

The Send to menu, displayed after right-clicking on a file or folder, is the fastest way to copy files or folders to another location but what if the location you want is not on the menu? There are different ways to add locations to the Send To menu but in all cases what you are really doing is adding shortcuts in the Send to folder. In Windows XP this folder is at C:\Documents and Settings followed by the name of your profile.

There are several ways to display a list of files in a folder by going to View on the taskbar. I prefer Details to be displayed. What you may not know is that if you right-click on the header above the list you may select file parameters you wish displayed. For example, I like to see file size, type, date created and modified. In comparing a file saved in two locations I want to make sure I get the latest copy. You may also drag the column titles in any order you wish displayed. Clicking on a title will sort the column

All past articles by Dave Wallace are posted at http://always-online.com/nbcug/dwindex.htm