I operate alot with floppys in addition to my paper files. I have mail folders divided with each major surname and then one for miscellaneous to catch all the smaller lines. Then I have a few other mail folders: 1. General Info--this is for all those postings of an informational nature as in where to find this or that, and info regarding old occupations,etc.Any reference material I might recheck. 2. Tidbits--this is for any items of an unusual nature such as websites with chronicles of pioneers, age calculators, any out of the ordinary stuff.Any worthwhile tips for research I find go in here. 3. Lookups--this is for anyone who has done lookups for me in certain areas. I have a mail folder for non-connecting persons, ( at least at this point in time). I have a mail folder for queries I have sent and then I delete them once I recieve a satisfactory response. I repost them later if I don't get a response,this way they are all typed up. NOW, with this all said.... As I read my mail or scan it, all the mail can be placed into the appropriate file folders.Some I answer right then, others I just put in the folders.After I have gone through the mail (about 250 a day) then I go back an answer any unanswered ones. About every other day, I sit down and go through all those folders. I have floppys for each family surname(all of them not just the main ones); one for info,one for tidbits,one for nonconnecting; then I maintain some for persons I correspond with on a regular basis. I also have a floppy for each state that I do alot of research in--this one I use for any county info or maps,etc. I have floppys for the following categories: burials,marriages,maps I then take all those mail folders and place the items on the correct floppy.I in that way can: 1.Keep my items in categories 2.Not waste ink printing 3.Get it off my computer in case of a crash. About once every week or so, I take the box of floppys and go through them and place the data from the onto my familytreemaker file where it belongs.Whatever I can't place remains on the floppy. As I check one I then return it to the box,UPSIDE DOWN so I know I did that one. I am fortunate enough to have a zip drive and periodically transfer items to a zip disk. (I am working on obtaining a CD writer).I thereby empty those floppys to reuse. You would be amazed at the items that seemed so vital upon receipt, and then when you look again just really don't fit.Now if I think they "might" later I put it on the floppy for "non-connecting". Ever so often I just get BRUTAL. I go through my floppys with the attitude "I either place it or dump it". This system may sound difficult but really isn't once you get the hang of it.Once I set up the original amount of floppys within the categories I mentioned above I never have to buy new ones as they recycle. All the burials or marriages are on their own floppy so if I am searching for one I don't have to think "who" as I know "where". Next time: The value of Non Connectiing Files Debbie Jennings [email protected] "Following the footprints through time"