Computer Memory and File Management

 Firstly, file storage. Goodness, the number of files I have and the backup drives. I honestly need to sit down and defragment my own files due to the number of duplicates. “In file storage, data is stored in files, the files are organized in folders, and the folders are organized under a hierarchy of directories and subdirectories. To locate a file, all you or your computer system need is the path—from directory to subdirectory to folder to file.” (IBM Cloud Education, 2019) These files can be stored on the device itself, on an external drive, or in the cloud. I have already stated I am not the most digitally organized person out there. I do have backup documents. I maintain records dating back five years and kept records of EVERYTHING in the military. This is important for tax reasons, incompetency reasons, security, and as a failsafe.

I use cloud computing and a backup hard drive. I generally work from multiple devices depending on where I am in the country at the time. I do not back up my files often – as I stated, I need to clean them up. Redundancy is a pet peeve of mine, so it is clearly self-sabotaging behavior.

RAM is random access memory. It is like when you forget to save a college paper and the power goes out mid-paper – fortunately, sometimes it is recoverable. “RAM keeps data easily accessible so your processor can quickly find it without having to go into long-term storage to complete immediate processing tasks.” (Avast, 2022)

My own personal computer has 16.0GB of RAM. I have 15.9GB usable.

I do not believe would make a difference in my case. Perhaps later in my academic career, I will be better suited to answer. I have used programs through Ashford where my work was not saved and had to start over – so knowing I have the agency to locate files faster and without fail is comforting. The current primary computer that I am using is my longest-owned computer, so being I use so little RAM is a bit confusing. (This computer saw many, many places – I am amazed it has survived as long as it has.)

 

Avast. (2022). What is RAM and Why Is It Important. Retrieved from AVAST Academy: https://www.avast.com/c-what-is-ram-memory

IBM Cloud Education. (2019, July 15). File Storage. Retrieved from IBM: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/file-storage#:~:text=In%20file%20storage%2C%20data%20is,subdirectory%20to%20folder%20to%20file.