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ICT Skills 1

Do you know how to create folders and keep a clear and organized folder structure? (14/31)

Yes
[DE: Ordnerstruktur]
Folder structure - example

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Hierarchical file system

The data on your computer is organised in hierarchical tree structures called directories and subdirectories (a directory located within another directory). In order to keep a clear an organised data structure you should create, move or save your files into an appropriately named folder, so that you can easily remember what data you are keeping there. 

In a folder you can keep not only files but also other folders containing files. It is not recommended to use very long names for folders and files, but in cases where you cannot avoid long names it is advisable to use hyphens or underscores between the words (e.g. "translation_fr-sp_last.doc") because problems may arise when using operating systems other than Windows or Macintosh such as UNIX or Linux.

Creating folders

To create a folder:

  1. Double-click on the My Computer icon – which is normally on your computer desktop – or open Microsoft Windows Explorer– e.g. by pressing at the same time the Windows key on your keyboard and the letter E or by going to Start|Programs|Accessories|Microsoft Windows Explorer. 
  2. In the My Computer window click on Folders to divide the window into two panes
  3. Go to the drive where you want to create a new folder: In the left-hand pane are displayed the main disc drives and folders of your computer; the right-hand pane shows the folders and files that are contained in the folder or drive that is selected in the left pane of the window.
  4. If you are working in the Windows Explorer window, go straight to the drive where you want to create your folder and click on it.
  5. Once you are in the required drive, go to the File menu on the taskbar and select New|Folder. 
  6. In the right-hand pane of the window a new folder highlighted in blue appears.
  7. Type the name you want your folder to have and press the Enterkey.
  8. You have now created an empty folder in which you can create and store further folders and files. 

A quicker way to create a new folder is to go to the location where you want to have it, right-click, and choose New|Folder from the pop-up menu. Again, a new folder highlighted in blue appears and you can type its name.

Why is this information important for translators and translation teachers?
Translators and translation teachers working with or intending to work with computer-aided translation tools - such as translation memories, terminology management tools, project management tools or software localisation tools, among others - must know how to create folders and how to keep a clear folder structure. These are basic steps needed to create translation projects, terminology databases, etc. with such tools.

Even those translation professionals not yet using such tools should know how to create and maintaine a clear and organized folder structure, e.g. in order to have different folders for source texts, target texts and background reference material. Keeping an organized folder structure can also allow to know at a glance what type of translations have been done, for which clients and when, which resources are available (electronic dictionaries, terminology databases, etc.), and to easily and quickly access finished translation projects in case modifications or corrections are required by the client.

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