Drives, Folders, and Saving

 

When working on a computer, it is important to always know three things about saving.

  1. What you are going to call it
  2. Where you are going to put it
  3. What type of file it is

 

This is also important when you go to open it as well.    So let’s start with Drives.  Drives are the  physical storage devices.   You can go to My Computer to see these drives.

In this view  You can see several storage devices: A: 3-2/2, C: the hard drive, D: a DVD player, E: CD-RW, F: another hard drive, G: a digital camera’s memory stick.  Included is also a handheld computer’s drive, and the My Document folder which is on the C:.   The only thing this is missing is network drive.  

These drives will appear again when you go to save. 

When working with a new document.  Click on File and Save.   The dialog box that will popup will be the “Save As…”   Because the first time you must tell it 3 things.

  1. What you are going to call it
  2. Where you are going to put it
  3. What type of file it is

 

Usually it opens in the My Document Folder on drive C:.  Notice this My Documents folder already has a large number of folders.   These folders were created by the person who was saving.    

*** Folders are a wonderful way to organize and rearrange work.   You can even have folders within folders.     It allows you to organize documents in to groups.  

 

 Remember to open it up again you MUST be able to find it.     Drop the Save in: box down at the top with the dropdown arrow.

 

Notice the same drives as you saw in My Computer. 

 

You can make a new folder where ever you want to save.   Notice the Folder with the Star.   This creates a new folder where ever you are at the moment.   If  I am in My Documents then it will create it there.   

 

When you press this button this little dialogue box will appear.   Type in the name of the folder.   The same rules that apply to files also apply to folders.

 

Click ok and you will be in the folder.

 

File Names:

File names and folders have certain guidelines.   When you change the type of file the guidelines on file names may change.    To learn more about guidelines on file names go to  http://homepages.ius.edu/dschwei2/handouts/parts/filename/filename.htm,

 

File Types:

In many word processors you can save in more than one type of file.  This is very helpful especially if you wish to switch from  word process or even operating systems.  

 

Rich Text Format or RTF is the best type to save in when you want to move from one program to another or from on platform to another.  

 

When saving as a Web page or htm, file rules need to change to accommodate the internet.   The four rules are:

1.  File names need to be 8 or less characters

2. Use number or letters only

3.  No upper case letters

4.  No spaces

If there are any graphics in the file you are saving as a web, Word will create a folder for your images.