Wednesday, 30 March 2011

How I name computer files

...  using version numbers 
My tip for naming computer files is to add always a version number at the end of your file names. When I  create a file for the first time, I choose a meaningful name and add the number "10" at the end of it. I have made this a  habit.

For example:

Council_tax_complaint_10.doc

When I save the file again I often "save as" by adding "10" to the same file name:

Council_tax_complaint_20.doc 

This way I am creating a history of files. This is useful for two main reasons: 
     1. I can  revert to any earlier version for example if deleted a paragraph, but later on suddenly I change my mind.  
     2. It avoids creating confusion when naming files with silly names like:(

Council_tax_complaint_old.doc
Council_tax_complaint_new.doc
Council_tax_complaint_very_new.doc 
Council_tax_complaint_sent.doc
Council_tax_complaint_improved.doc
... 

My list of files uses version numbers instead, and of course the highest number is the most updated version:


Council_tax_complaint_10.doc
Council_tax_complaint_20.doc
Council_tax_complaint_30.doc
Council_tax_complaint_40.doc
 ...

You can always add a concise description of each file after the number if you wish to do so, but I leave the name (ie: Council_tax_complaint) always the same:

Council_tax_complaint_10_old.doc
Council_tax_complaint_20_draft.doc
Council_tax_complaint_30_long_confusing.doc
Council_tax_complaint_40_more_concise.doc
Council_tax_complaint_50_perfect_love_It.doc
...

This is not rocket science. Version naming is used by software companies to number their latest updates and keep important order between older, less old, new, newer versions :) 
All I am doing is applying this principle in the management of my computer files.

Freezing fresh herbs

... and recycling their stems to perfume the kitchen when cooking
When I buy fresh herbs, like basil, sage, rosemary, chives, oregano and so on, I don't leave them to rotten in the fridge if I can't use them all up. I separate leaves from their stems and freeze them separately in resealable freezer bags.  

Why separately? Why do I not get rid of the stems?

I use the frozen leaves for cooking and the stems to release amazing smells in my kitchen. Freezing is  the best (after fresh of course) solution for preserving smell and taste especially if sealed in a bag

Leaves
Once frozen, you can then crush the leaves in the bag, turning the leaves into a frozen powder (especially fragile herbs like tarragon, basil, sage). This frozen powder is much more powerful in taste and smell than any dry herbs you have ever tried. Careful to put the bag straight back in the freezer after helping yourself to the amount needed as this powder defrosts quickly becoming a messy mush! 

Stems
Every time I have the oven on, I put a few mixed herb stems on a tray at the bottom of the oven. To be honest I often add other stuff to this tray, not necessarily frozen. Like orange, lemon, ginger skins I have peeled but not binned ... these too are an incredible source of natural smells which come alive every time you use the oven.

PS: Of course when the herbs' stems are well toasted, bring them out of the oven before your fire alarms goes off! 

PPS: I keep a spoon in the freezer to use for transferring frozen herbs to whatever I am cooking. A frozen spoon will avoid melting or sticking the powder to it.

PPS: I also freeze lemon halves after squeezing the juice out of them. When I need grated lemon skin I can grate the frozen lemon skin. Talking of which, if I make too much lemon juice,  I also prepare lemon-juice-ice-cubes for later use, like in the picture below :)