Rating: 
Summary: Great, but follow ALL the steps in order.
Review: I'm FINALLY getting my paper organized, thanks to "File...Don't Pile!" However it wasn't easy. I thought that I was a special case and skipped some of the planning and consolidating steps that she lays out. As a result, 3 years later, I'm finally in the home stretch in the race against paperwork.Make it easy on yourself and FOLLOW THE EASY STEPS IN ORDER!!!! Pat lays out a simple five step plan to prepare to file your paperwork. She also outlines two simple, but adaptable filing systems, indexes, ways to prevent feeling overwelmed by the filing task and how to maintain and live like a person who has control of their paper. I haven't done it all...yet, but I'm much closer to having my paper organized. If you're feeling buried by paper, get this book now! I did a lot of looking around at other books on paperwork organization, but this one impressed me with its thoroughness. Pat Dorff is a professional librarian and she deftly adapts the tools of her profession to home use. This woman knows how to manage paper with information on it. If you read and follow the simple step by step instructions you will too. My only improvement on her system is putting a copy of the indexes that I've created on my 3Com PalmPilot and on my husband's as well. The thought of being able to search by keyword for a category, subject or cross-reference and have it come up with the exact file location is the ideal enhancement to this book and the only way that I can think of to improve upon it.
Rating: 
Summary: A book from the last century
Review: I've been reading this book. I'm still undecided about using the author's system for my paperwork at home. The system has some attractive aspects, but I have big doubts.
First, I am dubious about labeling file folders only with code numbers. I don't relate well to "M101" and would rather the label says what's in the file, such as "College Transcripts."
But mostly the book seems outdated in many respects. It was written in the 20th century before we had PCs in our homes. It instructs us to write entries on the paperdex in pencil, so we won't have a big mess if we delete or change something. And it assumes we will be typing labels. These and similar passages aren't just quaint - they are distracting. I wonder if this is really a good system in the computer age, or if there's a better alternative for me. Will putting the Paperdex in an Excel file, and adding descriptive words to the cryptic code numbered folder labels, be enough?
Rating:
Summary: Finally! A paper system that makes SENSE!
Review: I, due to my extreme procrastination, am just getting my feet wet with Pat Dorff's system, but it's the only system that I've discovered so far that seems to shed a different light on why previous filing systems haven't worked. How long can we shove something to do with "Bank" (involving more than one! LOL) in just a few folders and expect to find it in a moment's notice?! I want to be able to find ALL of my filing paperwork in less than a minute. Can it be done? I'm sure it can, but the system, once it's set up, is going to allow the person to BE in control, not the other way around. I, at age 35, have been disorganized all of my life. It has cost me time, money, embarrassment, etc. Some people that I've talked to think it's kind of comical that I'm trying to get my life organized. One of the things that I like about this book is the fact that a person has a way to organize other subjects, not just VIPs (very important papers). For example, I have different interests that involve paper. If I don't have a good filing system to look back for reference, then how am I going to locate them? Also, if a subject isn't no longer needed, then other material can take its place (i.e. the coding system). It's a real pain to have to keep re-filing papers due to changes -- the regular alphabet system. One way I have decided to handle the "Personal Business" part of it, even though the files will probably go beyond 35, is to not worry about the number and just keep adding (PB36, PB37, etc.). I think it's okay to bend the 'rules' a little bit to fit one's own needs. I have a lot of paper that I can categorize as "Personal Business," because I sure don't want to put it under "Miscellaneous" anymore! I have to get away from that word... As the author writes, just reading the book and not 'doing' anything afterward isn't going to get the papers in their rightful places. That's the biggest step: Getting Started! Once that is done, then the other papers will fall into place. I will post back once I've gotten the filing system down and make any notations of any hints that I come across. Happy Filing!
Rating:
Summary: Fits all of my needs!
Review: If you are a major paper person (and I am), this is the format for you. When you read the book, it does sound complicated and like a lot of work. When you actually do it, however, it is the simplist thing ever. I kept saying to my husband, "I can't believe how little time it takes to get this stuff filed!". It actually encourages me to file because it's so simple. And it doesn't require upkeep everyday. In fact, I probably only truly file every 3-4 weeks. In addition, the book only takes a few hours to read, so if you decide you like what you're doing better (if you do, tell me about it) you haven't really wasted much time. It's a very easy read, and a very simple system for filing and retrieving a variety of papers on a variety of topics.
Rating:
Summary: This is a life saver
Review: If you are a major paper person (and I am), this is the format for you. When you read the book, it does sound complicated and like a lot of work. When you actually do it, however, it is the simplist thing ever. I kept saying to my husband, "I can't believe how little time it takes to get this stuff filed!". It actually encourages me to file because it's so simple. And it doesn't require upkeep everyday. In fact, I probably only truly file every 3-4 weeks. In addition, the book only takes a few hours to read, so if you decide you like what you're doing better (if you do, tell me about it) you haven't really wasted much time. It's a very easy read, and a very simple system for filing and retrieving a variety of papers on a variety of topics.
Rating: 
Summary: Switched back to the old / better way of filing after 2 yrs
Review: The book's two methods of filing sound good on paper, but in reality the methods require (at least) twice as much time to find what you are looking for. The book recommends using an index system based on writing codes on each file tab. Therefore the tabs by themselves mean nothing. When you want to find a file you have to look up the files index number in an index journal where you are supposed to keep track of what all the tabs mean. After you look up the tab code in the index you take that code and go to the file cabinet. If you still remember the code by the time you go to the file, you can pick the right file. As you can see, the book's method's require twice the work (i.e. once to lookup the corresponding code and twice to go look for the file), not to mention the daunting task of creating and maintaining the index journal. Like I said, it sounds good on paper, but it's an unproductive system when put into practice. Save yourself the time, money and frustration and learn from my bad mistake, stick with your current filing system. If you're still not convinced, try this. Rename all of the folders in your computer to some alphanumeric code, put the original names of your folders along with their corresponding new index numbers in an index file. When you want to go to a folder, go lookup the index code in the index file and then go search for the folder. If you like this kind of system, then this book is for you.
Alex P Limbert CPA
Torrance, California
Rating:
Summary: A Cluttered Complicated Book
Review: The methods described in this book will complicate your life, not make it easier. The instructions are supposed to help, instead they add more paper work, requiring you to make a "paperdex" file index listing every file put away. Perhaps if the book were updated to reflect the usefulness of computers it would be more helpful. There is a lot of fluff here as well, like an entire chapter to help you figure out what type of person you are. I sent my copy back.
Rating:
Summary: With the Paperdex, you can find ANYTHING!
Review: This is a great book, she's got a system that definitely works! My only adjustment to it would be to also write the file name on the tab along with the Paperdex reference number. The numbers make the system fool-proof when re-filing folders and articles, especially if the # is also listed on the article itself. But I am too impatient however, to always look up everything in the Paperdex first to find the file number and really appreciate the file name also being readily available on the tab! My favorite aspect of this system is its cross-reference capability. I no longer have to worry about where to file it if it relates to more than one subject! It really works!!! :)
Rating:
Summary: A must read if your career has lots of diverse paperwork.
Review: Though 10 years old, the methods presented for organizing
papers work because (1) they are detailed (2) well-thought
out (3) adaptable and (4) efficient. The problem with many organizing books is that they assume
that you will magically know how to STAY ORGANIZED. Much
of this book looks at how to stay organized once you go
through the pain.
Both my wife and I have adopted the file system and are impressed with (1) how quickly we were able to organize
our current files and (2) how easy it is to stay organized.
Greg Shannon, PhD.
Ames, Iowa
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