Back it up? Maybe you should...

I have countless horror stories that I could share of people who have lost data when their computer "lost its mind". Some of these stories are my own...Hard Drive crashes, viruses, new computer-old technology, etc. The causes are endless. The cure is to back up your important data early and often. I'll discuss two important questions when backing up data: How should my data be backed up and where should I store it?

Question #1: How should my data be backed up? You can back up your data to the computer you're using (I don't recommend this method), to external device such as an external Hard Drive or USB Drive, or to a CD. Windows XP has a backup data utility that is part of the Opertating System and works well for saving your settings including Desktop themes, Internet Explorer Favorites, etc.

Question #2: Where should I store it? You should store your data on a portable device that you keep in a SEPARATE location from your computer. The reason that I don't recommend backing up your data to the computer that you're using is that if something happens to that computer you're toast. Always back up your data to a device that you can take with you and store/use at a different location.

They're both free, which is better...

I'm a big fan of free...make that a HUGE fan of free. As you know, everything that is free isn't worth the cost in time, inconvenience, and headache. I'd like to discuss two applications that are free; Google Docs and Microsoft Office Live (beta). They're both free...which one is better?

I've tried both of them. I use Google Docs for my business to create, edit, and store files online. I just started using Microsoft Office Live a few weeks ago after I left my USB drive at home. My students will tell you that if you see me then you'll see my USB drive hanging from a lanyard around my neck. I use both applications, both are free. Which one do you think is better? They both have advantages and disadvantages.

Try them both. Which one do you like better? Why?

Will you upgrade to Windows 7?

Microsoft has announced the release of Windows 7 on October 22. The release date is three months earlier than the original release date. Some computer manufacturers have already begun shipping their computers with the replacement to the much maligned Vista OS. Do you plan to upgrade to Windows 7 or continue using your current operating system? Let us know your thoughts. I would especially like to hear from those of you who are using Linux, UNIX, Ubuntu or Solaris.