Writing Program

Using Microsoft Word to Write Papers

Saving and Managing Files and Documents, or, A Network Drive is Good to Find

 

Why Use Network Drive Storage Space?

Many students work on more than one computer - for example, you may have a desktop or laptop for home use, but you may also do all of your printing on University computers, and some other tasks as well. This means that the typical Benedictine user should know how to save and retrieve files in several ways, including the use of portable media and network drives.

Portable media like floppy disks, zip disks, CDs, and portable memory devices are all good ways to transport your documents, and in some programs are acceptable modes of submission of work as well. However, these media can be vulnerable to damage (especially floppy disks), loss, theft, and viruses. Floppies are especially vulnerable because like any magnetic media they wear out and are dirt-, heat- and moisture-sensitive (like cassette tapes). If you must use floppies, handle them with care and replace them every couple of months.

The hard drive of an individual computer is the default save location for most users working at home, so it feels safe and familiar. However, anyone who has lost a computer or its hard drive to a virus attack, or to physical damage or wear, knows that the C: drive isn't as safe as it seems. And then there's the issue of portability; even for laptop users, carrying the whole system around isn't always the best solution. More importantly for the on-campus user, saving documents to the C: drive is not an option when the computer is a public "workstation" - that is, any University computer found in a lab or other multi-user facility. These hard drives are often inaccessible, and are frequently cleared of any files saved by individual users.

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What is a Home Directory (H: Drive)?

Because of the problems associated with file storage, students in Benedictine University writing courses are encouraged (in some cases required) to save their course-related documents to their personal accounts on the H: drive, or Home directory. Any user with a network login has storage space available on this drive, subject to University policies (see). Once you are logged in as yourself, you should be able to save almost any type of course-associated files in this space, and to access your saved materials from any University-networked computer (including residence hall computers directly linked to the BU servers). Files saved to the Benedictine University network are also protected from viruses, and are automatically backed up for retrieval. This means that any files saved to the network server can be recovered (under normal circumstances) if the user's other storage options fail (disk or drive damage etc.).

Files saved to the Home directory are not only safer than those saved on floppies, but are also easier to work with because they save and launch faster (and without the grinding noise and wear to your floppy!).

 

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