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Saving data#

Local data storage location#

Please save images to the D: drive1 while following the folder structure D:\Data\$year\$lab\$labmember\$project

Data folder structure

Example project folder location

File naming best practices

  • Avoid spaces and other special characters like !@#$%^&*()
  • Use hyphens - or underscores _ instead of spaces
  • You'll save your future self a headache

Syncing to network drives#

  1. If WinSCP is not already open2, start WinSCP by double clicking on the icon located on the Desktop.

  2. Using the mouse, left-click on your lab found under Tabs > Sites

    WinSCP's Sites for individual labs
    Amanda Nelson's lab Site is highlighted as an example

  3. Enter the passphrase: microscopy and click OK.

    WinSCP's key passphrase

  4. When connected to your lab's Site, click on Commands > Keep Remote Directory up to Date... (or press Ctrl+U).

    WinSCP Keep Remote Directory up to Date...

  5. Confirm that the local directory3 and remote directory are correctly matched

    WinSCP Matching local and remote directories

  6. Confirm the synchronize settings

    WinSCP synchronize options

  7. Left-click on the Start button

  8. If there are files that need to be transferred, a window will pop up that looks like

    WinSCP example transfer

  9. Left-clicking the minus sign will minimize the WinSCP window to the system tray.

Note

Logging off, restarting, or shutting down the computer will close any WinSCP sessions.

Tip

By default, files should start syncing as soon as they're acquired. If you don't want this behavior4, close your lab's WinSCP program or pause it. But please remember to start the sync when you're done imaging.

Network drive paths#

Lab Network Path
Kowalczyk \\main.vast.pennstatehealth.net\files\labs\Andrew_Kowalczyk_Lab\_instrument-data\NikonX1\
Stahley \\main.vast.pennstatehealth.net\files\labs\Sara_Stahley_Lab\_instrument-data\NikonX1\
Nelson \\main.vast.pennstatehealth.net\files\labs\Amanda_Nelson_Lab\Imaging\NikonX1\

How else can I get data from this computer?#

  • Use cloud storage (OneDrive or Google Drive).
  • Please do not connect flash drives.

  1. Never the C: drive! ↩

  2. Check system tray and task bar ↩

  3. Only data within this folder will be transferred. ↩

  4. Maybe you frequently make typos when naming files and folders or you don't want to waste disk bandwidth during acquisition. ↩