Organize Your Software

One thing that I do when I download files is to copy a link to the site the program comes from, this makes it easier to tell others about it and to check for updates later.  To copy a link left click on the address bar in your browser and drag the address to the folder you want to store the link in.   Here is a movie showing you how.

Another thing is to store each program in its own folder.  You can group like software in a general folder.  For example my main folder is called Download.  Inside of the Download folder I have folders for Audio, Graphics, Utilities.  Inside of the folders I have more folders, for example Audio might have Players and Rippers.  While having more folders may seem like more work it makes things easier to find later.

I also keep at least one past version of the software.  Too frequently new and improved is new and bug riddled.  Keeping the old version allows you to go back to what worked for you.

If the program has a serial number I create a text document called Serial.txt in the directory and enter the serial number in that file.  If the program came on CD I write the serial number on the CD with a ultra fine point Sharpie permanent marker.  That way if I can find the disk I can install the program.