T-Rex Software and making Backups:

Assuming you have some worthwhile information on your computer, you'll need some way to protect that information in the event your computer dies or is stolen.  Sadly, this is more a "when" issue than an "if" issue The procedure for copying important information and saving it somewhere off the computer is called "Backup". Sure, sure, everyone knows that -- but virtually no one actually does anything about it! One reason for this is that Windows doesn't make it easy to do.  You, as the owner of the data, need to know where the important stuff is located on your machine -- and Microsoft doesn't make knowing that easy, either! Here are the steps needed to do backup right: Decide what files and folders you need to back up; those are the files that you cannot easily reproduce (or which cannot be reproduced at all).  For most people, that usually include the "My Documents" folder (wherever Windows has elected to put it!)  Make a list of those files and folders; here are a few likely examples: My Documents folder Quicken data files Palm Pilot data files Photos not stored elsewhere ... No one can do this work for you -- it's the important first step. Decide on the kind of backup process you want.  Here are some considerations: If your important files are more-or-less static (they don't change much) you can burn them to a CD pretty easily (most computers have a CD burner already installed).  This has the advantage of producing a backup that is portable; you can take it out of the building (a very good idea).  But if your files change often, even daily, you'll be eating through a lot of CDs if you create a new one every day. Also, a CD holds only 600MB or so; you may need multiple CDs to backup everything you need. You could also burn files to a DVD but that technology isn't as common as CDR (recordable) drives. I can help you create a process that will let you burn your important files to a CDR. Often a preferred method is to use an external hard disk drive as your backup device.  These are widely available and reasonably priced; they connect to your computer via a USB cable.  When connected, they "look" to your computer just like your built-in hard disk drive C: but with a different (new) drive letter. The size of the external hard disk drive you should acquire depends on your information storage needs.  They are available up to 250GB and more; you probably only need one a fraction of the size of your hard disk drive C: since you won't be backing up everything, just the irreplaceable files you have. I can help you create a process that will let you burn your important files to an external hard disk. Today, it's easy and cost-effective to do your backup online; putting a copy of your files in "the cloud". "Cloud" is a way of saying on a server somewhere outside your home (maybe even outside your country) for safekeeping.  I can help you with that. Now that you have the files and folders identified and the necessary hardware to make backups, you need a backup strategy; that is, when to do it and how.  I can help with that.