My life isn't tidy. So not surprisingly my files are displayed, extensions and all. Let's face it, I use my Windows desktop just like I use my actual desktop, to store bits and pieces, works in progress, notes, reminders, things I want to read, stuff I want to check, all there right up front, where I can't miss it. And just like my actual desktop, things accumulate on my Windows desktop, until I've used up all the space. Then I start chucking things into the recycle bin, or putting them away into folders. So it is equally predictable that I choose to display file names with those messy little bits right out in the open.

Why?

Because it's extra information for me to use. And I do use it, all the time. This isn't the most earth-shattering tip, but it does make my computing life easier.

How?

That depends on whether we are talking about standard extensions, or my own, "custom" extensions.

I use custom extensions as a simple, at-a-glance version control system. By glancing at the extension I can tell exactly how far I have gone in the writing or editing process for any submission on my computer. I use a different code for different types of projects too. So by using the standard sorting options, I can group files by type, project and status, along with the standard name, date and size choices.

I use standard extensions as a safety net to prevent me from deleting needed files. Also, because I don't allow any programs to launch attachments automatically, keeping file extensions visible is a secondary safeguard against me accidentally executing an infected file.

I also use file extensions for the purpose for which they were intended, to tell me what sort of file I'm about to open, view or use in some way.

Yes, I know Windows can do that for me. But not with the kind of flexibility I need. I often have several programs that "can" be used to open a particular file type. Which program I want to use -- for example, on *.GIF or *.HTM files, depends on what I want to do with the files. Visible extensions make it easier and quicker for me to choose the right file, and then the right program. Finally because I try to use a common project name for all elements of a project, extensions, nestled right up there, next to the file name, make it much easier for me to see which compost files are notes, documents, tables, definitions, archives, or library items.

If you want to put this sort of information to work for you, you'll need to do two things.

First you'll need to adjust your file display settings to show extensions (file types).

Here's how you do that:

* double click on My Computer

* select View, Options

* then click on the View Tab

* remove the check from the box next to "Hide MS-DOS file extensions for file types that are registered.

* click Apply, then close.

The second thing you need to do, is learn something about the standard/registered file extensions.

The accompanying chart will help you with that. It's not exhaustive, just a selection of the more common file types I've come across. No need to memorise them either, just keep the table or this article where you can find it.

Now, if you are really keen, and want to study file types...

* this page has an extensive list of Windows 95 file names and functions http://web2.airmail.net/darylc1/windows.htm

* and this one has a search engine on which you can query 1,353 file extensions. http://kresch.com/exts/ext.htm

One final note on the subject of file extensions

The recent spate of Trojans/viruses spotlighted a deficiency in the general computer user's understanding of the term "executable file". Many messages that were accurate on all other counts, identified executable files as ".EXE" files only. While *.EXE files are, most definitely executable, they are not the only executable files. Word documents can contain executable macros, and although they may seem like a blast from the past to some, *.BAT and *.COM files are also executable. As are *.SHS and *.VBS files, and of course, MS Office documents containing Word Macros.

386	Windows Virtual Device Drivers
AAM	Macromedia Shockwave
AI	Adobe Illustrator file
ARC	Archive file
AVI	Video Clip
BAK	Backup File
BAS	Visual Basic Code Module
BAT	Batch File
BCF	Briefcase File
BMP	Windows bitmap
CAB	Cabinet file
CDB	Clipboard file
CDR	Corel Draw 3 - 7
CFG	Configuration file
CHK	ScanDisk file
CLS	Visual Basic class module
COM	MS-DOS executable file
CPI	International code Page information
CPL	Control Panel applet
CPP	C++ compiler source file
CUR	Windows Cursor file
DAT	Data file (used by several applications and system functions)
DCX	FaxView document
DFB	Dbase/FoxPro database file
DLL	Dynamic Link Library
DOC	MS Word document
DOT	MS Word template file
DRV	Device driver
DWG	AutoCad file
EPS	Encapsulated PostScript
EXE	Executable file
FH3/FH4/FH5/FH6/FH7	Freehand 2.0 - 7.0
FON	Bitmapped font file
FOT	Font metric for TrueType fonts
FRM	Visual Basic form file
FXD	Winfax file
GEM	Graphics Environment Manager
GIF	Graphics Interchange Format
GZ	Gzip file
HLP	Help data file
HQX	BinHex archive format
HTM/HTML	Hypertext Markup Language file
ICO	Windows icon
INF	Setup Information file
INI	Configuration settings file
JPG/JPEG	Joint Photographics Expert Group Format
KBD	Keyboard layout data
LGO	Windows logo driver
LIB	Static-link library file
LNK	A Desktop shortcut
LOG	A log file
LZH LH	Arc compressed file
MAK	C/C++ make file
MDB	Microsoft Access database
MID	MIDI sequence
MIF	MIDI instrument file
MOV	QuickTime movie
MPG/MPEG	Motion Picture Experts Group video format
NLS	Natural Language Services driver
OCX	ActiveX control
PCX	PC Paintbrush file
PDF	Portable Document Format
PDX	Paradox database
PIF	Shortcut to MS-DOS program
PJ	HP PaintJet file
POT	PowerPoint template
PPD	Postscript Printer Description file
PPT	PowerPoint Presentation file
PRV	Extensis PagePreview
PS	PostScript output file
PSD	Adobe Photoshop file 3.0/4.0
PWL	Password list
QT	Quicktime movie
RA	Real Audio data fie
RAM	Real Audio file
REG	Exported Registry patch file
RTF	Rich Text Format file
SCR	Screen Saver file
SHS	Scrap object
SIG	Signature file
SIT	Stuffit archive
SPL	Shockwave Splash file (also Windows 95 extension for temporary printer spool files)
SWP	Swap file
TAR	Unix archive format
TIF/TIFF	Tagged Image File Format
TMP	Temporary file
TTF	TrueType Font
TXT	Text file
UU	UUencoded file
VBX	Visual Basic Custom Control File
VXD	Virtual device driver
WAV	Waveform file
WCM	WordPerfect macro file
WKS	Lotus 1-2-3 worksheet
WMF	Windows Metafile
WP/WPD	WordPerfect Files
WPG	WordPerfect Bitmap
WPT	WordPerfect Template file
WRI	WordPad file
XBM	X Window System bitmap
XLM	Excel macro file
XLS	Excel worksheet
XLT	Excel template
XLW	Excel Workspace
XWD	X Windows System dump
Z	Compressed Unix file
ZIP	Compressed archive file

This article is furnished as a benefit of our membership in the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an international organization to which this user group belongs. The author, Carol Daniels is a freelance writer and editor specializing in science, technology computers, computing, business, health, medicine, food and agriculture. She is on the Management Committee of the Melbourne PC User Group and a member of APCUG's Board of User Group Advisors.

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