PC-using Guidelines

^_^

Well, messing up a PC is easy while making it clean can be a laborious task. I myself has thought about some principles in using a PC and keeping it clean and easy-for-maintaning. These are somehow like guidelines in official papers. ^_^ In fact, they're just some notes for myself. Don't try any one that you feel unreasonable. I won't take any responsibility. Hehe...

All recommendations (with reason) on alternative strategies are welcome.

1. Setting up a system

1.1. Windows system

3-partition-stategy is recommended:

C:
The first partition on your hard disk should be reserved for hard working wares. The reason for that is this part locates at the center of the disk and accessment time greatly reduces as you go further to the peripheral region.
Unarguably most PCs leave this 'plateau' for Windows to run. Then, our plan for the 1st partition:

system files
space for windows to work properly. The necessary space varies due to RAM and Windows version. Recommended: > (total RAM x 2)
programs that need a lot of interactions with the system, suggested:

- internet browsers
- firewall, denfender, antivirus
- IDEs such as visual studio*
- interpeters, compilers (ActivePerl, C compilers...)
- java virtual machines, .net framework or any of that kind

At this point, the space estimated is 15 GB. 20GB should be fine. ^_^

As for the file system, what should we chose? FAT32 or NTFS. NTFS is well-known for its capability of management, faster and more security. I don't have chance to try, 'cos I need to access data on this windows partition in Linux, and the only way is FAT32. Linux won't regconize NTFS system. (I'm using fedora 6, hope that newer version would help.)

D: for large programs (games...), portable ones, misc..., suggested
- text editors
- Games\...
- java-dependent programs*
- IM programs

(* Eclipse IDE is java-dependent, but I think it should be on system hard disk, for its heavy work)

E: surely for our data: images, ebooks, documents... and million of unamed garbages... ^_^
Be careful, 'cos your data will expands unhauntingly.

As much as possible.

1.2. Linux system: I do not have enough experience yet. ^_^


2. Maintaining system

2.1 Windows sytem