What year was it you had no piles?
"A good leader has a scupper."
Leland

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Follett <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, January 28, 1999 9:29 AM
Subject: Files/computers


>In a message dated 1/28/99 4:59:20 AM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
>writes:
>
>> I keep hoping that someday I will be able to throw it all into a cyber-
>hopper,
>>  where it will be automatically scanned and put onto a CD Rom, ready for
>>  instant retrieval by keyword, author, subject, and title.
>
>Other than the time required for scanning I am finding saving print
>information on the computer more and more of a solution. But it is not
there
>yet.
>
>For the reams of files, such as catalog cuts, brochures, article clippings
>etc. I keep an MS Word file with an outline of all the crap in what I call
the
>research cabinet. I find this easier than messing with a database program.
I
>have a macro so I can call up the word file, do a search, and find where
the
>information *should* be. This takes time to manage, so I manage it poorly.
I
>figure if I can find what I am looking for 80% of the time then it is
better
>than having to call someone for new copies. I consider information an
>important asset of the business, and being able to find the information is
>also important. When I go through mail I take the time to check where
things
>should go, throw things away, and make new files as needed. I tend to end
up
>with a tall stack of papers sitting in my office that I play with when 1) I
am
>brain dead or 2) business is slow. The size of the pile thus becomes a
measure
>of the health of the business activity. Usually in playing with the piles
of
>paper it gives me new ideas of constructive things to do.
>
>][<en