Tidy Start Menu: Reduce Distractions and Focus On Writing
When I first set up this blog, I included a category on Organizing Your Workspace. Other writers also recommend steps to take in reducing the many dsitractions offered by one’s computer and putting writing front and center. For example, see AJ’s Blog and Debra Broughton’s site for useful suggestions.
There are two entry avenues into your PC — via the icon-littered desktop or via the Start Menu. Both lure many writers, myself included, to do other tasks first, before starting to write: review incoming email, send instant messages to friends, read the morning news, scan RSS feeds. Oh, the temptations are so many.
I’ve come up with a solution for the distractions of the desktop. I’ve set up an additional user account, which I label WRITER’S DESK. By doing so, I force the PC to display a simple choice whenever I sign on: do I go straight to my WRITER’S DESK or to my Distractions? Yes, I’ve labelled the two areas just that way — call it “moral blackmail,” but it works. Faced with that choice, I much more often go straight into my writing arena. On my WRITER’S DESK, I allow icons only for the programs I use while writing. No games, no email, no instant messenger. It takes a bit of effort and some knowledge of Windows innards to set up this space. Someday I’ll post a step-by-step guide for those who need it.
The Start Menu gets cluttered too. I developed a strategy to bring it under control as well, setting up folders with labels such as 1-writing programs, 1-writing utilities, 2-graphics, 3-internet, 4-entertainment and more. The numerals remind me of priority. Once the folders are set up, I moved individual programs into the appropriate folder. It was bothersome to set up, again taking some knowledge of Windows innards, but it certainly produced order out of an annoying mess. Still it doesn’t work as well as I wish.
I’ve recently learned about a FREE program that makes the task simple and straight-forward: Tidy Start Menu. Simply download and install the program. The program will present a screen with nine pre-set folders named across the top: Office, Utilities, Games, Entertainment, Internet, Programming, Graphics, Security, Other. At the bottom is a list of all programs in the Start Menu, each with a check box. Highlight a folder name and check the programs that belong there. Highlight another folder and repeat the checkbox routine. Bingo, your Start Menu is suddenly organized. Now when you open the menu, it will display the nine folder names. Click on a folder, and all the programs in that folder are listed to the side. Click the desired program, and it starts.
A Pro Version offers additional power. The user can name one’s own folders, as many as one likes. And program icons can be displayed along with each program name. I prefer this set up and consider the $24.95 investment worth it. [NOTE: As I write this, the price has been discounted to $19.95.] This program, incidentally, has also been recommended by productivity guru Steve Bass of PC World, an important endorsement.
One downside to the program. If you have already set up folders manually following the normal Windows routine, all that work must be undone in order for Tidy Start Menu to present all programs and their checkboxs for processing.
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