I don't like having a messy desktop.

I know many people who use their desktop as temporary storage for random files, but seeing lots of files all over a desktop gives me anxiety.

Instead, I prefer to use the downloads folder for temp storage. I have my browser settings set to download files directly to the downloads folder without asking, and I can quickly manage files from there.

I don't like having a messy downloads folder either, but I only ever see it when I'm moving files in or out of it so it's not so bad.

Regardless of what folder you use for temporary storage, over time there is a tendency for files to start to collect.

I'm usually pretty good about deleting old downloads, particularly if they're just installers, or copies of files that I've got stored elsewhere, like email attachments or cloud storage.

Even still, every now and then there are files that linger. Files that I've either downloaded or created that don't really belong in any of my existing folders. Sometimes they're text files with notes. Sometimes they're PDFs that I want to read and delete that I just never seem to get around to dealing with.

If any of this sounds familiar, there's a simple system I use to keep my downloads folder tidy and my files organized. It's easy to remember, and it doesn't take much time or energy.

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If you go to a store naked, you will be asked to leave because your lack of attire is indecent and unsanitary. Behaving this way is rude.

If you go to a store without a mask, you should be asked to leave because your lack of attire is indecent and unsanitary. Behaving this way is rude.

If you see someone without a mask in public, it's your civic duty to treat them the same way you would if they were naked…

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In the fifteen years since rem was introduced, I've heard many variants of the question:

What CSS units should I be using here, px or rem?

Now, there are a lot of other options to consider as well:

• ch
• cm
• em
• ex
• in
• lh
• mm
• pc
• pt
• Q
• vh
• vmax
• vmin
• vw

Many of these options are useful in a variety of different circumstances, but I'm going to intentionally ignore them for purposes of this post.

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I use Windows' virtual desktop feature pretty heavily. I find it useful to quickly switch between work and communication software. This helps me keep focused while working, and minimize the time it takes me to reply to something in Slack.

This works great for most software, but every now and then I find myself having to move a window back-and-forth between my desktops.

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I use Chrome on Windows as my primary browser of choice, and one thing I find particularly annoying is joining Zoom meetings.

If I open a link to a meeting the tab opens up and then I have to click an additional confirmation dialog to get the meeting to actually open in Zoom. Once I've done that I still have to go back and close the Chrome tab. For meetings that I've got bookmarked, it's a lot of unnecessary clicking.

I decided to look into how hard it would be to create a desktop shortcut to a specific zoom meeting instead of a browser bookmark, and--as it turns out--it's actually pretty simple.

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Sorting Papers

Rule of thumb—discard everything

— Marie Kondo

While working from home, one thing that helps me focus on work is avoiding clutter on my desk. Papers are particularly problematic as they're so thin that they can stack up over time without a noticeable difference until it suddenly seems that there's a teetering tower of precariously balanced "things to do".

Receipts, bills, instruction books, warranties, and all sorts of other desk detritus all have a tendency to outstay their welcome.

Worse, if you're working from home you may find yourself absentmindedly attempting to tidy up rather than focusing on the current task at hand.

If you struggle with keeping your workspace clutter-free, I use a system that requires minimal effort and materials.

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