Windows 7 Libraries
In Windows 7, there is a new file organization option called "Libraries" that allows you to group files and folders in multiple locations together, but only symbolically, not literally, that way each file and folder stays where it belongs and you’re not moving them all over the place.
The simplest explanation of the libraries is that it acts more like the way a 5-subject notebook works or a REAL briefcase (not that pathetic attempt at synchronization Microsoft used to have).
The default libraries, while nice examples, aren’t very useful for teaching how they work, so let me paint a picture of how I work and use libraries…
As a system administrator, I’m constantly downloading and installing new programs to test for people to make sure I can either support them or know which apps to keep people away from. I use the default "Downloads" folder in my user profile to store all of those downloads long-term, and they’re organized into categories there.
However, the stuff I’m immediately working with or testing or haven’t yet tested gets stored to my desktop in a separate Downloads folder. After testing it out, I move it where it belongs if I intend to keep it.
Before libraries, I had to constantly browse to both locations, and it was a pain in the butt with several windows open to move stuff back and forth… certainly doable, but not convenient.
Now, I have a library that indexes BOTH Downloads folders, and when I want to re-organize things… no more multiple windows… here’s what it looks like:
Simple, yes? Well, there’s a big limitation in Beta 1… you can’t add removable storage to libraries (like flash drives, cameras, CD’s, network shares, etc). Hopefully they’ll change that by release, because I’d love to include my network server share in that library as well, along with a flash drive.
But like I said, it’s a lot like a 5-subject notebook… they may be related in some way — classes, or work, or projects, or whatever you call it — but they all have their unique locations and qualities that you choose to group at a given moment. But the neat part about this 5-subject notebook is that each section can make a guest appearance in multiple libraries… so my Downloads also appears in my "Documents" library, and my "Windows 7 Screenshots" also appears in my "Pictures" library, etc.
And now that I think of it… maybe that’s why it’s called a Library… since the same book can appear in multiple libraries. 