Domain: Digital Life (Part 1)

I have a PC system that is the anchor of my workstation. My monitor is 32", for goodness sake. I have two active thumbdrives, one within home, one I bring for work. I have two external harddisks, a smaller one for personal documents, a bigger one for media storage. I've an active iPhone. I've a defunct iPod I use to lend friends to transfer big files. I have two blogs and one tumblr. I have a facebook account (and 4 extra ones I activate when playing games. I'm not obsessed, who says I am!? WHO?). I have a dropbox account. Which is synced to my computer here, my computer at work place A, and laptop at work place B. This is as exhaustive a list as I can conjure for now.

At some point, even if it's contrary to leading a simplified life, I admit willingly I'm entrenched in a digital world. Right now, I'm streamlining the practical day-to-day use of the tools to engage this world — one of which is the computer. While I'm thinking about the tools, what I've yet to consider is the concept of "online presence". I'm still deciding if it's going to be a separate sub-domain in "Digital Life" or not. Nonetheless, I'll pen down what I have worked on so far.

The ideal case of the "Digital Life" domain states:

I have an efficient PC that runs smoother than silk and is softer than cat purrs. I have clutter-free usage of my computer and I feel in control. My files and documents are named in a standard fashion; I locate them easily since I know where they are: in which physical drive, in which virtual folder. I no longer have so much data stored in piles of obsolete DVDs.

I project an online image that reflects what I want people to think of me; the material I read behind closed doors, and the content I provide my public readers should be curated judiciously. The former: such that I do not waste time on random sites unhelpful to me. The latter such that I construct the product I'm selling — my online presence, the Kenny brand.

Goals

1. Desktop PC 

i) Computer is running efficiently. 

ii) Hard drives have files in proper order.

2. External drives

i) the ones for storage have files in proper order

ii) the ones for lending are accounted for so people will return

3. burnt DVDs and CDs

i) important content are archived into external discs

ii) some backup discs are stored properly in the room

4. Laptop

i) should be in running condition to work as either a back-up or for rebate in buying a new one

5. Internet browser

i) clean bookmarks bar

6. Online presence

i) to brainstorm

Next-Actions

Initially, during the Better Selves Project meeting, I've listed out a few Next-Actions. I've already started working on them today, so here's an update.

1. Check status of laptop in the drawer.

Can it be switched on? Can it still work? Does it need updating? To decide if it should be sold, or kept as a back-up in the house.

2. Clear old internet bookmarks into one folder. Start re-categorizing into a clean bookmarks bar.

I didn't sit down to brainstorm about categories but I figured it's not super important. They just have to be arranged in proper categories. Previously I used the bookmark bar to put everything, and I mean everything, in there — just anything interesting. And frankly that's too much distraction for me, when the research article bookmark is right next to the fashion tumblr bookmark. So for this part, I have to cultivate a practice. The Next-Action is update as:

2. Arrange bookmarks according to categories. Review after 2 weeks to see if the categories make sense.

3. Block out time to rearrange files in the computer and archive files in the CDs.

I've started on this, and I think I might schedule a short part of each day to this. I haven't fully figured this one out yet. But I've started, and boy do I have a lot of junk.

But at least now, I've got my J Pop music arranged. And on a side-note I've decided to stop downloading Koda Kumi's music since they no longer interest me. I'm just gonna keep the songs I like. There. De-cluttering.

KIV actions

1. Source for a dvd-ripping software to rip actual encrypted dvds.
Yo, team, any suggestions for this one?

2. Explore what online presence means to me

3. Research on how to overclock the PC

4. Configure the wireless set-up at home

Here's to continuous improvement in 2012! Cheers!