Finding the right place: seeking advice on where to store my Johnny.Decimal system (in Windows) and single vs. multiple systems

10-19 Concepts 14 Build your system
2

Hi @Shai ,

Welcome!

  • I am on Windows (mainly), Linux (some) and Android (phones/tablets).

  • I am Apple/Mac/iOS illiterate, as I strongly dislike Apple’s end-to-end control.

  • I recognize parts of the journey you describe it, as I’ve been doing some of the same.

My previous system was like this (on all computers I used);

Folders on C:\"my initials"
strict set of subfolders, less than 10

Folders in "Downloads"
set of subfolders to sort different types of files

When I moved machines, I only needed to bring these two directories + whatever was under “User\appdata\Local & Roaming”

  • I discovered JD early this summer, and I’ve recently completed (98%) my transition to JD. (471 671 files, 2,7 TB from the past 25 years now lives in my JD structure.)

  • I ended up like this:
    Snag_a3504ada

  • I would like to avoid keeping several systems (because I don’t want to worry about “which system did I put it in?” (one of the problems with my previous system), I do believe the 20-29 and 30-39 might have to live at work (because IT Policy and information security).

  • (I am open to using separate JD-systems for projects or other ventures.)

Mistakes I’ve made (so far):

  • Not allowing categories to be broad enough, to allow all the files have “their natural place”. This made me end up having to re-do some of the JD structure. I now have some “overflow” that hasn’t gotten a place yet - temporarily living in the “#0 System” structure of each area. This is the 2% job that remains, but I keep cleaning and structuring to integrate the remaining stuff.

  • I allow myself to use sub-folders (breaking the 2 level rule) when it is necessary or natural, but I keep it structured. I see that some places this means “clickyness” to get down to the subfolder/content that I am looking for, but I can use Everything if I want to search more quickly without the mouse clicking.

What works and what I like so far:

  • I do not regret putting the JD storage system / folder structure in a NAS. (see backup link below for description). I has many advantages over keeping the folders on local machine.

  • I use this syntax in the index to show if there is a folder created.

  • I use Logseq for the Index. I considered Excel or Treesheets, but I am very happy with how it turned out in Logseq. It’s efficient and clean.

  • I have automated my backups.

  • This forum / community is pretty awesome!