You can open a file directly from the briefcase and save it directly to the briefcase.
Windows treated briefcases like almost any other folder. You just opened the case, then opened the files inside.
You can view them offline and even make changes. The briefcase on the laptop or floppy disk contained copies of all the files you put in the briefcase. Now you can disconnect your laptop from the network or remove the floppy disk and take it to another PC. You can also drag entire folders to Briefcase and Windows synchronizes those folders. Or, if you had files that you were using on your workplace desktop, you can drag them into your floppy diskette folder. For example, if you had important documents stored on your workplace network file server, you could drag them onto your laptop briefcase. You would drag all the important files that you want to take with you into the briefcase. You can move the My Briefcase object from the desktop to your floppy disk or right-click in any folder and select New> Briefcase to create a new one. If you have a desktop computer, you can put the case on a floppy disk and take that floppy home with you. For example, if you have a laptop, you can keep the briefcase anywhere on your laptop. Here's how you would have used the briefcase:įirst, you store the case on an accompanying device. Or, if you had copies of some files in the briefcase and the files were updated to the original location, you can sync the briefcase, updating the copies in the briefcase to match the originals. If you changed the copy of the files in Briefcase, you can then sync them to their original location. The briefcase was to keep these files in sync. It wasn't just about copying files back and forth, which you can do just with a copy and paste. You can also sync files from your workplace local network to your laptop before disconnecting. For example, you can use it to recover essential files from your home work place to floppy disk. Windows Briefcase was designed to make it easier to sync files in the days before strong internet connections.
(If you highlighted only some of the icons in the Briefcase window, you can instead click "Update the selected items." Windows copies only the highlighted icons back to the main PC.If you're old enough, you've probably seen a "My Briefcase" icon on a PC desktop at some point, even if you've never used Windows Briefcase. Windows copies the edited files back to their original folders on your desktop-PC hard drive, automatically replacing the older, original copies.
In the Briefcase window, click the "Update all items" link in the task pane. Open the disk or laptop window and double-click its My Briefcase icon. Now all of your careful step-following is about to pay off. When you return to your main PC, reconnect the laptop or reinsert the travel disk. When you get to wherever you're going, open and edit the documents in the copied Briefcase "folder" icon. Drag the My Briefcase icon onto the laptop or the disk.
(See Chapter 18 for tips on connecting machines.) Or, if you plan to take your files with you on a disk (such as a floppy or Zip disk), insert the disk. Now connect your laptop to the desktop PC, if you haven't already. Windows XP copies the files into this special temporary holding tank. Now round up the icons of the documents you'll work on when away from your main PC. (If you're feeling inspired, rename it as you would any folder.) A new icon appears, called New Briefcase. To do so, right-click any spot on the desktop from the shortcut menu, choose New Briefcase. To use the Briefcase, start by adding a briefcase icon on your desktop. If you learn to use the Briefcase, you'll be less likely to lose track of which copies of your documents are the most current. In its way, the Briefcase is a form of backup program, but for a very specific purpose: It's designed to help you keep your files straight when you transport them from desktop to laptop, or from home to work.