Re: how to stop saving these files

[sebyte]

> emacs has been saving backup files in the same directory as the files 
> that I edit. The backup files have names like Friends.java~1.8.~. How 
> can I either
> a) stop emacs from creating theses backups at all?
> b) tell emacs to save them all in one place?

You could try simply adding this line to your .emcas :

(backup-directory-alist (quote (("." . "path/to/chosen/directory")))) 


but this is a custom-set-variable from my .emacs.

To do it using Custom, type 'M-x customize-group <RET> backup <RET>' and then 
find the backup-directory-alist variable and edit accordingly.  Ignore the bit 
about cons cell, scroll up and hit button 'set and save for future sessions' and 
you should be away.

sebyte