ie.

What kind of directory structure do you keep?  Do you use a tmp directory a lot?

Here is my basic structure.

I work with the tmp directory and set it up like this:

tmp\tmp_apr_02
tmp\tmp_mar_01

tmp\logs_apr_02
...etc

to keep a tmp directory for each day

For downloads, I do this.

berlin\downloads1
berlin\downloads2

ie, download of zip files, executables, etc.

when the increment is really based on how big the download directory gets, if it is too big, I go to the next download3 number, etc.

I also have an INFO_DOCS directory for important stuff.

On the desktop, my main file is a file I call CHANGELOG that I just keep random copy/paste notes.

what would be nice, I wish I had something that kept track of EVERY 'write' to the filesystem.  Every copy, move, delete, anything.

I have a CHANGELOG.  Record lots of day-by-day stuff in that.

I have an INFO file will stuff that doesn't fit elsewhere, but needs to be remember. Password to the storage room, command to clear the printer queue, python code to parse csv...

I have INFO-[topic] for lots of topics. INFO-JAVA, INFO-SomeInternalSystem.  Where I take long running notes about things.  I sometimes think about moving away from plain text to something with pictures or at least outlines, but plain text has its perks.

I've got aliases to get to these files from anywhere quickly.

I occasionally make a tmp dir.  Dating it is an interesting idea.

d:\

Install\ <-- Installable packages, I don't categorize em, except for very specific stuff, like map software, or common server software (apache, php, mysql, etc). When I need to install something, there is it.
htdocs\ <- Current projects
Music\ <-- :)
small utils \ process explorer, jslint, defrag, john the ripper, putty, etc. Small utils which doesn't need to be installed

Desktop:

At the left of the desktop goes new stuff that I will send to their proper place when I have the time to.

At the top, links that I will see later,
At the bottom, files that will get disposed as soon as I see em.
At the right, there are the folders like
Books <- Technical books, manuals, etc
Pending Stuff <- Thing that can wait :)
Important stuff <- things that I use on a daily basis

I see zed's format, kind of similar to mine.

'Masiosare', your setup is interesting, on a whole new level.

I have shit crammed all over the place in the filing methodology du jour and I use Spotlight to find absolutely anything.

I just have an "incoming" folder on my c: for all download.

then

music
books
utils
resources
film

I like the idea of INFO- I tend to just store all work things in the work folder which has subfolders for projects, notes, etc

I have my downloads organized like:
\download\{url}\{product}\{version}\

You're all hopeless fags.  No wonder I feel so superior.

I do my file manager in the supply closet near the manila folder shelves -- pillowy. We're careful not to spill any staples on the floor. Those are unpleasant when stepped on.

It's a working relationship so to speak.

I partitioned my drives into categories for games, apps, media, and OS. I just throw stuff wherever I feel like within its proper subsection.

Then I use Vista's excellent search capabilities to find whatever it is I am looking for.