What is a root directory?

Question

I know what a root directory is, of course, but I am finding it very difficult to explain to people what it is. I wrote a Nintendo DS application that requires a folder to be copied to the root directory of your memory card, and I often get e-mails from people who copied it to the wrong place and don't understand what the root directory is. I don't think they realize that the root directory can be thought of as a directory or "folder".

What is the best way to explain this to these people?

Answer 1

Maybe you could tell them to put it on the memory card itself, not in any folder.

Answer 2

Call it the "top-level" folder.

Answer 3

For them, the root directory is the first folder they see when the double click the memory card icon.

Answer 4

What about using a metaphore:

You can see the folders structure as a tree. Each folder is a branch with subbranches and leaves (the files). Each branch is connected to an other (bigger branch) except one. The root.

Answer 5

Could you create a simple extractor/installer that will do it all for them?, could save a lot of hassle for the non-tech people.