By Amudha Saravanan
Introduction:
As computer-users, either at school or college or workplace, we like to own a computer for ourselves. So we take utmost care to collect details of configuration, cost involved, dealers, etc., rather, we spend whole of the day in thinking and planning about buying a computer from a supportive vendor for a competitive price. At last we manage to buy one, may be with some compromises.
Now, we possess a nice computer with latest configuration, latest software, and works fast. We have a cover over it and maintain it clean. So far so good: but how long do we care for our new computer…. Only till we get used with it, and begin to feel it is no longer a new one. This is physical cleaning or maintenance of the computer. This maintenance can be done by anyone, even the one who doesn’t know how to use them.
Problem:
Here I actually wish to deal with a method of cleaning which only the users of the computer had to do and practice it as a routine. It is keeping the file folders clean. What do I mean by keeping the file folder clean? It means removing the unused files, junk content, forbidden images, and other data that resides in the computer. These files get collected over a period of time, such that we would not even know that they reside in the computer.
Fine, but what is the problem, if the unwanted information gets stored in the computer? After all, the user should have enjoyed a piece of joke, or admired the beauty of a picture, or in need of the stored information, sometime back. If that was the case, then the files can remain in the computer, so that we can go and refresh our memory again or relish a joke or a picture residing there.
Reason for the problem:
No, it is not the case. The unused data in the computer is a silent killer. Yes, it kills the system performance. Reduced system performance leads to dissatisfaction with our ‘new’ computer. Now we understand that the reduced performance is due to the increased use of disk space. So we are left with no option other than to delete the unwanted data, which we collected it as lovable information over a period of time. When we buy the computer, we are happy that it has the latest configuration. But on the other hand we forget to remember that the ‘latest’ configuration slowly becomes ‘outdated’!
Solution for the problem:
Great! Now you understand the problem. There should always be solutions to the problems, right? For our scenario, we have two options: one is to delete the unwanted files; another is to increase the disk space. Let us analyze both the options along with its pros and cons, and decide on the better option. The decision should be based on the importance of the unused data residing in the computer.
Option 1 – deleting unwanted files
This is the first solution to be considered. Browse through the folder; identify the files, which we have not used for long time; organize the files into three categories: (1) Seldom Used (2) Occasionally Used (3) Currently Used.
(1) Seldom Used: Create a temporary directory; collect all the files that are to be deleted; move to the temporary directory. Finally verify again, and then deleted the folder. E.g.: Jokes, pictures, stories, puzzles, etc.
(2) Occasionally Used: Create a new folder and organize the files with relevance; and push into a temporary storage unit like Floppy, CD, etc. Delete those files from the computer. E.g.: Games, utility softwares
(3) Currently Used: Retain them in the computer and keep them organized within suitable folders and sub folders.E.g.: Project related files
Software installed in the computer can also consume disk space. So let us be generous to uninstall the softwares that we don’t use. Ofcourse, we can retain the softwares, which we use occasionally, in a CD, and install them only when required.
Now let us analyze the other option.
Option 2 – increase disk capacity
When do we go for this second option? It is only when, we want to retain all the files in the computer. Anyway increasing the disk capacity is going to cost us. So, we need to leverage the cost between, investing in additional disk space and retention of the data in the computer.
Fine, if we increase the disk space, will it solve the problem forever? No. Again, it needs a good practice of removing unwanted files periodically. There is another problem shooting up with increasing the disk space. If you just keep increasing only the disk space, still the computer performance may not be satisfactory. That is because the RAM speed might also be increased. Hence the additional cost for increasing the RAM speed creeps in.
To end up all these related problems: push the unwanted data to the CD, instead of storing it in the computer. Thus we not only save the cost of additional disk space, but also the additional hidden cost of increasing RAM speed.
Assume the scenario, where we need to work with latest softwares, or large dumps, or heavy databases. In this scenario, we can opt for the upgrading the computer, which means we increase the functional capacity all the parts like memory and storage units.
Prevention:
We have now understood the problem of improper management of files in our folders, the subsequent consequences, and solutions to the problem. Meantime, we could have also understood by this time that prevention is better than cure.
So, what are the preventive measures to be taken, to avoid running out to disk space?
(1) Store only the necessary data / information.(2) Handle the files by organizing them into suitable folders.(3) Monitor the folders. Keep track of the files which are seldom used or continuously used.(4) Schedule routine clean-up process.(5) Install games only when you want to play.(6) Avoid continuous software install and uninstall.
Hope now we are aware of a better way to use our ‘new’ computer optimally.
Article Source: www.ArticlesBase.com
