Inspiration, of a sort...
Nov. 14th, 2012 08:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alexpgpThere was a time I used to keep all my translations in one directory, and this worked, after a fashion, because all the stuff that was "on the plate" (and there were rarely jobs stacked up) could be kept in view by displaying files by reverse date order (most recent first).
But then work started to pick up and I had to figure out A Better Way™.
That involved creating a separate folder for each job. Each folder has a unique name and contains all the files related to the job. Looking back, it's a pretty straightforward solution, but it took a while for me to find it.
One of the serendipetous side-effects of this arrangement—provided I never deviate from creating a separate folder for each job (and I've been pretty good at that)—is that if I keep the folders in an "active" directory, and only move them out of that directory when I invoice them, I ought to never miss invoicing a job.
A problem I have encountered, from time to time, has to do with what happens when I try to move a directory (after invoicing), but the silly thing—or a part of it—refuses to budge because one or more files are open (or thought to be open... thank you, Adobe!).
It occurred to me—in a dream I had last night of all things—that if I started out by storing the jobs in one great, big folder to start with, and only created links to incoming job folders in my "active" directory, then the only thing I would have to do upon invoicing is delete the link from the "active" directory.
From time to time, I've actually used the technique of assigning my subconscious a task to wrestle with while I sleep (and though I haven't kept records, it seems I've had reasonably good success doing so), but I think this kind of thing—solving a problem that I recognize has been bugging me, but only in hindsight, after a solution presents itself—is rather surprising.
Anyway, just because it "sounds good on paper," it doesn't mean it works. I have yet to test this idea, and I need to make sure there are no unintended consequences of changing my work flow like this, but it does seem to me that deleting the link ought to occur whether or not files in the directory the link points to are open.
Cheers...
But then work started to pick up and I had to figure out A Better Way™.
That involved creating a separate folder for each job. Each folder has a unique name and contains all the files related to the job. Looking back, it's a pretty straightforward solution, but it took a while for me to find it.
One of the serendipetous side-effects of this arrangement—provided I never deviate from creating a separate folder for each job (and I've been pretty good at that)—is that if I keep the folders in an "active" directory, and only move them out of that directory when I invoice them, I ought to never miss invoicing a job.
A problem I have encountered, from time to time, has to do with what happens when I try to move a directory (after invoicing), but the silly thing—or a part of it—refuses to budge because one or more files are open (or thought to be open... thank you, Adobe!).
It occurred to me—in a dream I had last night of all things—that if I started out by storing the jobs in one great, big folder to start with, and only created links to incoming job folders in my "active" directory, then the only thing I would have to do upon invoicing is delete the link from the "active" directory.
From time to time, I've actually used the technique of assigning my subconscious a task to wrestle with while I sleep (and though I haven't kept records, it seems I've had reasonably good success doing so), but I think this kind of thing—solving a problem that I recognize has been bugging me, but only in hindsight, after a solution presents itself—is rather surprising.
Anyway, just because it "sounds good on paper," it doesn't mean it works. I have yet to test this idea, and I need to make sure there are no unintended consequences of changing my work flow like this, but it does seem to me that deleting the link ought to occur whether or not files in the directory the link points to are open.
Cheers...
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no subject
Date: 2012-11-15 01:32 am (UTC)As I'm working on the job, or as I finish it and move the files, I record the amounts / word count / rates / PO numbers in a spreadsheet, and later do the invoicing from that spreadsheet. That way, I have a clear idea at any one time of what I've already earned that month and where things stand.
It's not a perfect system, as I have to type everything up into the spreadsheet, but it works for me. I'm better with numbers rather than files.
no subject
Date: 2012-11-15 02:33 am (UTC)Last year, I started using a LiveScribe pen and notebook to keep track of jobs, word counts, and special instructions, but stopped after I ran across emacs and org-mode, which let me do all that (and more... I'm beginning to sound like a commercial!) completely on a computer: deadlines, billing status (e.g., assigned, in work, sent, billed), job key words, links to file directories, and invoice due dates.
To each...
no subject
Date: 2012-11-15 02:50 am (UTC)I tried using Translator's office 3000, or whatever it's called, and that was an epic fail. Too many steps!
no subject
Date: 2012-11-15 02:01 pm (UTC)Creating a link, or shortcut, to a job that starts out in my archive directory will eliminate the frustration of moving the silly thing to begin with, but I digress...
The mine face awaits! :^)
Cheers...
P.S. I think I shall formulate a "pgp–granat" principle: written descriptions of someone else's work flow always sound like a lot of work!