The desktop is the space on the screen that you see when no other programs are running, or when all of the running programs are hidden. It is a place where you can organize shortcuts to files and folders that you use regularly, and you can customize how it looks with a background picture. Much like a real-world desktop, a computer desktop is not something that you interact with directly - it’s the place where the work you do appears. Programs and applications will appear in front of, or “on top of” the desktop.

File Management

Pictures, documents, music, videos, and other data on your computer are called files. These files on your computer are accessed and organized the same way that paper documents are stored in a filing cabinet in real life; the files are organized in folders, and these folders can be organized and stored in other folders. Most of the programs and system files on your computer will automatically be organized into folders on your hard drive, it’s best to leave those alone unless you know what you’re doing. Files that you create, download, and edit yourself can be organized in a way that works best for you.

Consistency is key when naming and organizing your files. A good system for files uses clear and descriptive names that tell you what the file is about. For example, instead of just "project", you might use "10-27-2024_MathProject_Final." This tells you the date you saved it, what it is, and what version it is. Try to use a consistent format for all your files so they're easy to sort and scan. Avoid spaces and special characters, these can cause issues when trying to search for things later on. Instead, use underscores (_) or hyphens (-) to separate words. On top of that, use the same system for your folders. Instead of having one file named “school” and dumping everything into it, try “2024-2025_School” and then a series of subfolders for each subject. A well-organized folder and file naming system is essential for keeping your digital life in order, saving you time and frustration when you need to find something important.

Backup Your Data

After spending all that time working on a project, the last thing you want to do is lose it. Having multiple copies of your work saved to different places is called having data backups; if something happens to the original, you have a spare to work from. There are several options for backing up your data:

Local Backups

This means copying your files to another location on your computer, like a different folder or hard drive. It's a good first step, but it doesn't protect you if your whole computer crashes or gets stolen.

Cloud Storage

Local backups and external drives rely on hardware to store your files. But sometimes you need to access your files in multiple locations and you might forget to bring your USB or external hard drive with you. The solution is cloud storage. This involves saving your files to a remote server over the internet. Cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud automatically back up your data and allow you to access it from any device. This is a great option for added security and accessibility.

Ideally, it's best to use a combination of these methods, following the 3-2-1 rule: have at least three copies of your data (the original and two backups), on two different types of storage (like your computer and an external drive), with one copy stored offsite (like in the cloud or at a different location). Regularly backing up your data protects you from accidental deletion, hard drive failures, theft, and other unexpected events, ensuring your important files are safe and accessible.