HAVE FAVORITES, WILL TRAVEL--PART 1 OF 2

In our last tip, we showed you how to copy your Favorites folder from one system to another. Just use a floppy disk to copy the files from the Windows\Favorites folder on the first system to the Windows\Favorites folder on the second.  Also, you can take this idea one step further with this question: "How can I synchronize my Internet Favorites folders on two PC's?"

This is a perfect use for the Windows 98 Briefcase. Transport the contents of your Favorites folder between the two systems using a Briefcase (on a floppy disk), then use Briefcase's Update feature to keep the contents of both Favorites folders identical and up to date.

First, some preparation. You'll need to decide which Favorites folder you'll use as a model. (We'll call this the first system.) In addition, you'll want to empty the Favorites folder of the second system. (Use a floppy disk to copy any favorites you want to keep to the first system, then delete everything inside the second system's Favorites folder.) Finally, organize all of the Favorites on the first system into folders. (Briefcase works better when you deal with folders.) In other words, don't leave any favorites in the main Favorites folder.

Now you're ready. Right-click the desktop of the first system and select New, Briefcase. (If you don't see Briefcase in the menu, you'll need to install this component: Open the Control Panel, select Add/Remove Programs, click the Windows Setup tab, double-click Accessories, select Briefcase, click OK twice, and insert your installation disk when asked.) Name the Briefcase something appropriate, like Favorites.

Copy all of the folders inside the Windows\Favorites folder to the Briefcase, just as you would to any other folder, then move the Briefcase to a blank, formatted floppy disk (right-click the Briefcase and select Send To, 3 1/2 Floppy). Pop the disk in the floppy drive of the second system and display its contents in an Explorer window. Copy all of the folders inside to that system's Windows\Favorites folder.

In our next tip, we'll show you how to use the Update command to keep the contents of both Favorites folders current....

last updated: Monday, 24. May 1999 09:47:12 -0500