Storing (hoarding) engineering information
Storing (hoarding) engineering information
(OP)
As Engineers we have to refer to lots of different types of information to do out job. To make this easier for myself if I find something useful I copy it and file it. I also write little aide memoirs on scraps of paper such as calculation methods, theory stuff, formula derivations etc.
Now, I keep all this stuff in big four ring binders but the problem is I have got to the stage that I have so many of these things it is becoming cumbersome (I have seven on my desk at the moment and the same again in a cupboard to my right). I moved into the modern world and bought an external hard drive which I now use to store useful documents to avoid printing them out. That now has 12000 files on it which has its own problems such as finding what you wanted.
My colleagues do similar things but not to the same extent as me. Incidentally I also hoard stuff at home on the basis it might come in useful some day.
Does any one else do this sort of stuff or do I have OCD
Now, I keep all this stuff in big four ring binders but the problem is I have got to the stage that I have so many of these things it is becoming cumbersome (I have seven on my desk at the moment and the same again in a cupboard to my right). I moved into the modern world and bought an external hard drive which I now use to store useful documents to avoid printing them out. That now has 12000 files on it which has its own problems such as finding what you wanted.
My colleagues do similar things but not to the same extent as me. Incidentally I also hoard stuff at home on the basis it might come in useful some day.
Does any one else do this sort of stuff or do I have OCD





RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
The stuff I use every now and then, is also kept as an electronic copy, as I can develop a familiarity with it over time. However, everything else that I use once or twice, I pick up from the internet as needed. I have to think that at some point in the hoarding, finding something obscure on the hard drive would be just as tedious as finding something obscure on the internet.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
I think brute computing power will one day replace intelligence altogether, but that's probably worth another (long) thread.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
One of my mentors when I was younger had such a system and it was organized per the the MasterSpec numbering system. Mine is more random than organized, but I know more or less where everything is with a minute or so of looking...
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
I try not to hoard a lot, bad thing is I have to frequently re-invent the wheel as it where.
So I say hoard away just come up with a decent filing system, if nothing else by topic.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
Chris
SolidWorks 07 4.0/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 04-21-07)
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
At least this works for me when I actually find time to organize every other year or so.
Also, it is a good idea to go through the binders occasionally to remove any duplicates, obsolete info and stuff you didn't use for a few years.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
Very useful for quick reference.
Then I changed country and you Americans use weird paper sizes, so I havent bothered.
csd
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
I lost about two years of electronic references and information a couple of months back. No direct work files thank goodness. Will take me awhile to piece it back together.
Worst is I thought I backed it up but can't find the backup CD.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
I guess I am a bit of a hoarder. It's all useful only trouble is I often forget what I have.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
David
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
Just remember how many references you took to the PE exam and how much of it (in number of pages) you actually used for the exam.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
Maybe I should just go through my saved papers and keep every 10th page.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
I definitely have more PDF's than anyone in my office, but I still question how useful they are as google is so quick and easy and usually the first place I go for info.
To help organize my files, I make notes in my reports and spreadsheets so I know exactly where I found my information. This helps cut down on searching time when I need to go back and provide reference or review what I did.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
One word of advice: if you keep anything of value on the computer, back it up and keep the disc somewhere else. My house was broken into and the computer stolen, with the 20 years of work. Fortunately it had just been backed up.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
Yes, I do also collect stuff. I am not trying to cross reference my collection so that I too can search and find the information that I need. Unlike many above, I don't even know what I have. I usually discover stuff that I have when I am looking for something else - hence the starting of cross refencing.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
csd72 When I started reading that I read pocket protector rather than folder and had a nostalgic moment...
"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" Oddball, "Kelly's Heros" 1970
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of the Eng-Tips Forums.
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
It started when I collected code extracts, useful formulas etc and bound them in A5 books for each of the different structural materials. (I was advised to do this as part of my preparation for the IStructE Chartered Membership Exam.)
I passed this exam a little while ago, but I've not got out of the habit of collecting 'useful' information - I now have a desk and attic full of the stuff !!
RE: Storing (hoarding) engineering information
Running Properties on my small external drive, as a I type this, just finished at 85656 files. That's including a truckload of zipped files and NOT including a whole bunch of files at home.
Sadly, I dumped all my hard copy IEEE mags. HDs are great, since you can hoard SO MUCH in so little volume!
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies