A couple of years ago I found a software program that was extremely useful and to top it off, it was free. The program is SyncToy. The program, originally designed to manage photos and their backups, is very useful in creating and maintaining backups of any type file. The nice feature is you have complete control as to when it runs and what it does. For "freeware”, I give SyncToy a 5-star rating.

Quote:

There are new sources of files coming from every direction: digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. Increasingly, computer users are using different folders, drives, and even different computers (such as a laptop and a desktop) to store and retrieve files. Yet managing hundreds or thousands of files is still largely a manual operation. In some cases it is necessary to get copies of files from one place; in other cases there is a need to keep two storage locations exactly in sync. Some users manage files manually, dragging and dropping from one place to another and keeping a mental card catalog in their heads. Others use one or more applications to provide this functionality for them. Now there is an easier way. SyncToy is a free PowerToy that provides an easy to use, highly customizable program that helps users to do the heavy lifting involved with the copying, moving, and synchronization of different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without added complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of folders at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another. Unlike other applications, SyncToy actually keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.

What utility programs do you use that you would recommend to others?

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Don

Hi Don, I have to admit that computer software, or any type of technology, come to that i.e. the telly and video remote controls, mobile phones, the music centre, my car dashboard etc., etc., frightens the life out of me - but I am good at other things - I can type and I can cook!

I can't recommend any programs apart from windows office suite and perhaps Adobe Photodeluxe 4, which I find is the best software because it gives you complete control, unlike all the others I've tried, over the editing of photographs. Especially as I sometimes spend hours 'repairing' torn/damaged photos for people.

However, I found you're topic really interesting and I clicked on the Synctoy thing (above) but when the screen changed I got scared I might damage something! Thick, aren't I? :ck-shocked:

Now, Don, being a gentleman I expect you'll come back and tell me I'm not thick! Mmm! Ok, go ahead.............. :ha-ha-ha-ha: :ha-ha-ha-ha:

Maureen,


Of course you are not thick, better safe than sorry. You will not damage anything by looking, but if you are not sure don't download.

Now I saw your comments on typing in another post. I'll have to admit that is not my strong point. In 7th grade, when I was about 13, I took typing. The outcome was the teacher would pass me with the lowest passing grade if I promised not to come back.

I never did go back but the rudimentary skills I absorbed have served me well over the years.

Thanks Don, I knew you were a gentleman! Since passing my copy-typing exam (at the end of the 3 months) back in 1965 I have also taken exams in shorthand which I failed miserably because I couldn't keep up so asked the examiner to slow down!

I've also taken my 3 RSA Word-Processing exams over the years and passed with Distinctions and 1st Class Passes in those.

Funny though, the career's officer who came to our school back then gave us all a card to attend for interview at the local sewing factory saying that 'working class' girls were trained and educated to go into factories.

Me though, being my Dad's daughter, tore up the card and passed it back to her saying"'I'll show you, madam, because one day I'll be a company secretary!"

It took me a lot of years training but I eventually was promoted to company secretary of a paper-merchants I worked for in Liverpool.

When they told me they were upgrading me from clerk to secretary I was so made up I would've loved to go back to see that woman to tell her but, unfortunately, she was long gone by then.

Sorry Don, I'm rambling now. Have a good day.