Shortcuts and Aliases

The obvious use for shortcuts is on the desktop.  Put shortcuts to each active project on your desktop; not just one but several.  Suppose a current project is to build a website.  You'd put these shortcuts on your desktop: one to the Projects\My Website folder; one to the website hosting service you're using; and one to the website itself, once it's up and running.  Keep them close together on the desktop.  Remove them after the project is dormant in order to keep your desktop uncluttered.

The less obvious use is in folders.  Catalog a topic's folder under several subjects, by putting shortcuts and/or aliases to it in a variety of other relevant folders.  Then, you can get to it later, even when different keywords and ideas pop to mind.  This is really helpful with semi-active and and long-term projects that you don't go to frequently, since they may not merit shortcuts on the desktop anymore, and your memory of exactly where they are can get vague.  No matter where you look for them you'll find them quickly if they're under several relevant folders. 

For example, suppose one of you're current long term projects is to renovate your 1957 Chevrolet.  You create a  House\Vehicles\ChevyRenovate folder , and put a shortcut/alias to it in each of  Projects, Hobbies, and Bookkeeping\Expenses.  The shortcuts/alias'  point to the real folder, and it's as if ChevyRenovate were in four places at once; no matter which you click on, you end up in the same place. 

In Windows it's extremely easy.  Just open ChevyRenovate and size it's window to half the screen.  Then open Projects in the other half.  Hold down the Alt key, and drag the ChevyRenovate folder to Projects.  That makes a shortcut.  Now open Hobbies and Alt-drag to there, etc.  If you're going to be busy with the renovation again for awhile, Alt-drag it to the desktop too.  There you are.

For each project that involves spending money you can drag a shortcut to Bookkeeping\Expenses.  Now, when you're in Bookkeeping\Expenses to review expenses, you can go easily to each and every project's expenses spreadsheet, for example.

There's another facility in windows called the alias; it has some advantages over shortcuts.  Click here for an explanation.