Filing systems
There are some very simple filing systems that can be extremely helpful. However, even these systems will require some occasional reevaluation and trimming, unless you're the type of person who never rearranges furniture.
Here is one such system:
Main folder:
INBOX = any files saved to the computer that are not put in their permanent spot with an appropriate name, goes here.
READ & REVIEW = may include articles you may want to read, web clippings, websites, etc.
PROJECTS = includes project support material for all current projects, all of which are appropriately named
REFERENCE = includes all reference material and also archived projects, all of which, ideally, would be appropriately named
EQUIPMENT = this contains software (optional).
Under Projects, include subfolders by project.
Under Reference, you could include a folder for Pictures, another for Music, another for Videos.
When I have used this system, Pictures are sorted by year taken. Within each year, they are listed by batch in date order (for example, a May 19th trip of that year: 0519-Trip to Kentucky). I then use a dedicated photo organizer (e.g. Picasa) if I care to sort by person, or by vacations, etc.
Videos are sorted by topic: e.g. Cars, Exercise, TV shows, Comedy clips, etc. If I had a large collection, I would use a dedicated organizer.
Music sorted alphabetically, grouped by letter. Within the artist, by album. If I need further abilities to sort, etc., I use a dedicated program, e.g. Winamp, iTunes.
In project support files, I put the date on all files I work on in YYMMDD format, followed by the project name, followed by the whatever I'd be thinking of in searching for that file. Examples: 110214-Valentines-brainstorm of poss gifts. This file is stored in the appropriate Project folder. If I download something new to Reference, I likewise give an appropriate name immediately or plop it into Inbox to do later.
Your Reference files will be a real bear, especially if you have 11 years' of old data. I can relate, as I have hundreds of thousands of files to keep track of, some of which are vital, and some of which I would delete if I came across it again.
I recommend looking for broad categories that won't change often and then store based on what comes to mind when you file it. David Allen recommends purging your files from outdated or no-longer-relevant material every year. At times, I have found 9 different versions of the same piece of software that I've downloaded over the years.
I would also recommend not going back through that mountain and trying to start from scratch. Start with all of the new information you put in, and as you touch older files, rename them. As you find the old categories don't work, rearrange enough to continue functioning. You do not want to spend an inordinate amount of time rearranging silverware when there's food to eat.
Hope this helps
-JV474
p.s. I use my folders exclusively, ignoring "My Pictures" or "My Documents", as I can use my folder layout with different operating systems instead of just Windows. This is a personal preference.