How do I keep my files safe?
If you're in a computer lab on campus, and have a file (or files) to keep safe, you may be tempted to leave them on your Desktop. This is a VERY bad idea! Here's why.
Many labs on campus (including the Info Commons in the IB, and the Learning Commons in the Library) use a program called Deep Freeze, which resets the hard drive back to "day one" EVERY TIME THEY REBOOT. That means files you put on your Desktop are wiped out when the computer is shutdown or restarted - which could be very soon after you leave.
If you're in IB2131, your files will be safe for a bit longer (we don't use Deep Freeze), but there's no guarantee that the computer you sit at normally will be available when you need it (first of all). As if that wasn't bad enough, keep in mind that when things go wrong, the computers get imaged - meaning everything on the hard drive gets erased, a fresh copy of Windows gets copied back, and it's like you're sitting at a brand new PC again.
What can I do / Where can I save my files?
You do have a few decent options, however, for keeping your files safe. The easiest option is to get a USB flash drive, and keep all your files on it. This is a great option for portability, and for keeping your files with you at all times. It's available offline (ie: if the internet goes away for whatever reason), and virtually every PC made since about 2000 has at least a USB port. Just make sure you don't lose, or accidentally destroy, the flash drive.
Other great options involve using the Cloud - as primary storage AND as a place to backup your files (remember: if a file is important, it should NEVER exist in just ONE spot!).
As a student at Lethbridge College, you have access to Office 365 (Microsoft's Office in the Cloud solution), which includes space on OneDrive. Login at https://portal.office.com/Home and use the web interface to copy files to/from the cloud and the PC you're sitting at. Just remember that, about 18 months after you graduate (or otherwise leave the college), your free Office 365 subscription runs out, and you likely won't have access to your OneDrive data anymore.
Other services offer similar functionality - look at Dropbox, Box, SugarSync, Google Drive, etc.. If you search for Cloud Storage, you'll be inundated with results. Check them out, and pick one that's right for you.