This is the fifth article in a series. To read part 5, see "Backing Up Your Stuff Part 5: Where Is It #1?".

Part 6 - Where Does the Computer Stash Things (Continued)

Paint Shop Pro

In my humble opinion, Paint Shop Pro is one of the best bargains available on the internet. This inexpensive (less than $100) shareware program provides most of the functions of the far more expensive Adobe Photoshop with a better interface and quicker performance.

Paint Shop Pro version 7 has many different features with many different files. The locations of each of the files are explained below. Note that Paint Shop Pro is almost unique in that you can define up to three different locations for each of these features. This is most cool.

Tubes - A picture tube is a way to create repeating graphics with different images. For example, you could create a tube of 20 different butterflies. Each time you clicked the tube you would get a random butterfly image added to your graphic. You can create your own tubes and you can download tubes from the internet. They are stored, by default, in the following location.

C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Tubes

Patterns - A pattern is an image which is used to create strokes or fills. By default, patterns are stored here.

C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Patterns

Textures - A texture defines the three dimensional characteristics of a two-dimensional graphics. For example, you could define a crumpled piece of paper or a stucco surface. Textures are stored here:

C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Textures

Gradients - A gradient defines the degree of changes in colors. They are stored in this location by default:

C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Gradients

Brushes - These allow you to define brush tips. They are stored in this location by default.

C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Brushes

Frames - Picture frames are fancy borders that you can add to images. They are stashed in the following location by default.

C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Frames

Shapes - Shapes are vector (lined), well, shapes. A rectangle is a shape, for example. You can create your own shapes and save them if you wish. By default they are saved to the following location.

C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Shapes

Filters - One of the very cool features of Paint Shop Pro is the ability to use Adobe Photoshop filters directly. There are thousands of these filters available all over the internet, and they allow you to do such things as create buttons, transparencies and interesting effects. By default, they are stored in the following location.

C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Plugins

ICQ Sounds

The ICQ program allows you to redefine sounds for just about any event. These are stored in the following location.

C:\Program Files\ICQ\Sounds

Within this folder you will find WAV files, which are the currently installed sounds. You will also find folders, each folder being the name of a sound scheme.

Windows Media Player Skins

People love ICQ skins so much that they have been popping up everywhere. Even the Windows Media Player now supports skins. You can find them all here:

C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\Skins

Next in Part 7: Where Is It #3?