This is a question that MOST home computer users (Mac or PC) HAVE NOT asked themselves.
How do I backup my computer & What data do I need to backup?
In a business setting there are unlimited options that IT professionals have access to in order to backup up corporate data. Home users have many of those same options, but are completely unnecessary due to the amount of data that home users will be backing up.
When you backup a computer there are many different ways to do it and many files & folders that can be backed up. For this article we are only going to focus on the actually data files (word, excel, mp3’s, jpegs, etc.), and NOT everything else, such as the applications folder, the program files folder etc.
For a home user there is no need to backup everything on your entire hard drive. That will just take up too much time & get too expensive.
I suggest saving all of you data files to 1 spot, if you are a Microsoft Windows user, most software packages default saving your data to the My Documents folder. If you are a Mac user it defaults to only God knows where! Actually it usually defaults to the desktop).
Make a folder & name it something meaningful.
Call it something you will remember, like “Computer Backup” or “My Backup Files” or “Hey Stupid, Back Me Up!”
Next make sure you save all your important files to that folder. I repeat, put any data file in that folder that you work on and wish to save. You can default many of your files to save in that folder so you do not have to worry about clicking & dragging to the folder. If you are truly interested in getting FREE instructions on how to do that, visit one of my 2 sites listed in my bio and contact me through them. I will get back to you ASAP.
Once you have saved all your important files in that one folder, we have to decide how to physically move (copy) that folder off your existing computer hard drive. I have outlined 3 different ways this can be done, in no particular order of importance.
Your first option would be to purchase a USB Key (thumb drive etc, whatever you want to call it). These devices are an extremely cheap form of backup device. Purchase one at your local Best Buy, CompUSA, Radio Shack or online at Amazon. Bring it home, plug it in to your PC (or if you have a Mac, plug it in and pray the Mac recognizes it). The USB Key will be assigned a letter (ie E: ) in My Computer (Windows) or will show up as a mounted drive on the Mac. Open the USB Key up and copy and paste your “Computer Backup” folder to the drive. Once it is done copying, remove it from the computer and you have a safe data backup off of your existing computer hard drive.
Another computer backup idea would be to purchase an external hard drive (fire wire or USB cable) and plug that into your computer. You will need to treat the external hard drive just like the USB Key solution. The only difference is that there is more space available on the external hard drive than the USB Key. You can also purchase an internal hard drive and have it installed or if you are just purchasing a new computer, you can add one for a small amount of money. This will be treated just like your original hard drive, it will have a letter assigned to it (ie C or D) or it will be mounted to your desktop (Macs). The only problem is if your computer crashes you will need to contact an IT Professional or someone who can access that hard drive & reconstruct your OS.
The third idea for a computer backup solution would be to simply burn the data to a CD or DVD. This solution may take a little longer, depending on how much data you are backing up at once. It may also turn out to be the most expensive, of course depending on how many times you backup per month, week, etc.
There are many ways to perform a backup of your data on your home computer. I have outlined the 3 easiest & least expensive solutions for you to try.
You would be surprised how many people have actually never thought of backing up their data on their home computer. While working in the private business sector, supporting residential & commercial clients, I encountered 2 -3 customers per week who lost important files due to not having a proper computer backup plan in place.
Take action now! Save yourself heartache & frustration. Follow one of these three solutions TODAY! If you have more questions please visit one of my sites below or shoot me an email.
Good Luck.

Bender Smith is 10 year vet of the Technology Profession. He is currently a Network Administrator & a staff writer for a Free Technology Article website called www.RamRoo.com. Bender Smith also writes & reviews technology products & services on his personal blog, The Complete Geek.


Headline Writing - Write headlines that get your article read - part 2
In part 1 we covered the importance of writing a great headline to grab your readers attention & get them to read your article in full.
Now we take a look at other ways of developing your headline style.
You need to think about your audience. Who is it that you are writing for?
For gossip and entertainment?
For those looking for financial advice - facts and figures?
For someone looking for exercise or health information - reliable and assuring?
For those browsing for ideas and pastimes?
Who are they and what are they looking for? Answering these two questions will set you on the right route to plan and write an article that will capture their attention... and from this you can then style the headline.
For example say that you're writing an article aimed at someone who is searching for the right mortgage. That person will look for 'facts', 'figures', 'surveys' and even maybe a case study that they can identify with. The language will be business like & authoritative. Anyone reading would not expect lots of jokey thoughts and gossip in the article. On the other hand if you are writing your article aimed at someone searching for news on their favourite pop star, gossip, jokes and light frothy sentences will hit the mark.
You've got 5 seconds!
When writing your headlines remember that you only have about 5 seconds to grab your potential readers attention.
If they scan the list of headlines and yours doesn't 'pop out' you've lost them forever.
Here are a few more styles that can help you to write a great headline.
The 'Testimonial' Headline
"I used 'XY's' formula B ... now I earn and have financial freedom"
Testimonials are very powerful, when they sound believable. Use them to help you sell a new product or idea.
The 'News' Headline - Make an announcement
"It's here at last! The breakthrough in internet marketing has arrived"
A great way for announcing new products and services, making the reader feel that they're in at the beginning.
Also you may have noticed that I didn't say 'what' it was... so you add an element of curiosity in the headline too.
The 'Formula' headline - tell them 'how to'
"Follow these 3 simple steps to increase your writing speed"
How often are you looking for the solution to the problem? Well if the headline tells you that you can find the solution in just 3 simple steps... aren't you going to want to read 'what' those simple steps are?
Often these headline begin with words like "How to" ... "how to loose 5lb's in 1 week... with just 5 minutes a day". The secret is that the headline suggest that the solution will be revealed in the article.
The 'Question' Headline
"Do you hate the Gym? - How to have a gym workout without ever stepping inside one again"
The secret to this type of headline is to pose the question that you know most people will answer in a certain way... then you suggest that the answer will be given in the article. When writing this sort of headline... you need to be sure that the majority of your readers are going to agree with you ... or they may just say "No... I love the gym" and never read on.
The 'Order' Headline... Do it now!
"Act now and save £1000 on your insurance this year!"
Giving a command focuses attention on a desired action that you want the reader to take on reading the article.
What ever style of headline you choose... make sure that you 'Deliver'
What I mean is, if you suggest that you are going to tell them the solution to the problem, in the headline, you must give that solution in the article or at least tell them where the reader must go to find the solution.
Don't refer to something in your headline and then not mention it in the article. This leaves the reader confused and cross... they'll feel cheated and won't trust you or read your articles again!
Add Value to your headline
Turn an 'ok' headline like "How to write a good headline" into a great one "Get your articles read - Writing headlines that GRAB!"
Short and sweet.
7 words is a good guide. If you've got more to say then put it in a sub-headline.
Need some more ideas... here are some words and run-ins that'll help to attract readers attention:
- Activate, Achieve, Affordable, Amaze, Amazing, Avoid,
- Best, Breakthrough, Banish, Bounce back from ..., Beginners guide to..., (the) Best & Worst ways to ...., Budget,
- Captivate, Create, Cash in on..., Complete guide to ..., ..... on the Cheap
- Discover, Discovery, Deliver, ..... Dreams come true,
- Eliminate, Essential, Energise, Essential elements, Exciting,
- Formula, Fantastic,
- Great, Gigantic, Guaranteed, Gain the..., Get the edge..., Good news when....,
- How to ..., Hidden secret ..., Hot tips on...,
- Incredible, Ingenious, Impossible (to miss),
- Just out..., Judge for yourself...,
- Kill, Killing,
- Love, Loveliest, Looking for..., Longing for..., (the) Last word on...,
- Master, Mastering, Must have, Must-know,
- No more, New, Newest, Never .... again, No-fail guide to....,
- Outrageous, Outrage, One time offer...,
- Powerful, Profit from, Perfect (solution, birthday gift, holiday,etc)
- Quick guide to, Questions & Answers to..., Questions that you must ask about....,
- Results, Revealed, Revelation, (the) Real...., Read this before....,
- Simple, Simplest, Secrets, Scientific, Shocking, Special report...., Strategies for..., Straight answers about..., (the) Solution to...,
- Ten Quick Tips, Tips, Tricks, Time-tested, Tactics, Top, Techniques, Thrifty
- Unbelievable, User-friendly ways to..., Unleash, Unlimited, Unique,
- Value added, Valuable,
- (7) Ways to..., What's HOT and What's NOT in..., When to ... and when not, (the) Worst thing you....,
- You must try this...., You need to know how....,
I'm sure you'll begin to think of hundreds of variations and improvements.... start writing them down now... and when you see a good headline... adapt it for your use.
Enjoy your writing
Regards
Brian


Nine Myths About PC Saftey
Nine Myths About PC Safety
I have an anti-virus program so I don’t have to worry about viruses getting into my PC
Not true! Just because you have an anti-virus program does not mean you are fully protected. For full protection you need to:
1.
Update the virus definitions regularly (at least once every 3 days).
2.
When you first install the program, set the program to check:
*
the boot sector of your hard drive,
*
your emails – if you’re using an email program such as Outlook or Outlook Express,
*
all executable files when those files start;
*
downloadable files from the Internet.
3.
Perform a thorough scan for viruses – at least once a week – using your anti-virus program.
4.
In addition to your anti-virus program, you need: a firewall, anti-Spyware, and update Windows regularly.
I don’t have to worry about hackers or others who spy on my computer because I don’t have anything they’re interested in
Another mistake! Hackers steal identity! Today, stealing your identity is more valuable than stealing your jewels; identity theft is rampant. And what a hacker is looking for is on your computer – your personal information. For instance, if you ever signed up for a newsletter or purchased anything online or sent emails, you’re vulnerable because your personal information is accessible.
Hackers have automated programs that scan tens of thousands of computers an hour. Those programs invade the deepest recesses of personal computers looking for potential victims.
I back up my computer regularly so I am protected.
Not entirely true! When you make a back up, not only are you saving your valuable files and programs, you’re saving the harmful ones as well.
If you’re not protecting your computer against viruses (with a good anti-virus program), against Spyware (with a good anti-Spyware program), and don’t have a firewall, you’re copying everything – the good and the bad. As a result, when you open one of your back up files, or have to restore a back up program, you’ll actually load all the harmful things onto your computer.
I’ve got insurance if something happens to my computer
That’s great! But if something happens to your computer, the insurance company cannot restore your valuable files and information. It’s far better to make regular back up copies (CD or DVD) and keep those copies safe -- in a separate part of your home or even at a friend’s or family member’s home.
Viruses only come in emails
That is certainly not true! Viruses can be linked to files downloaded from the Internet, CDs, DVDs, and diskettes, and any time you connect to a network system such as in college, at work, or a library.
I don’t have to worry about my money; my bank or credit card company will take care of the problem
Maybe … If you’re lucky! Even if they do, you’ll have to prove to them that you are not responsible for the debt – that it was fraudulent use of your bank account or credit card. This may take weeks or months, and you certainly will not be compensated for the aggravation and stress while you go through that ordeal.
The “Internet Police” are on the ball protecting me while I cruise the Net
Wow! Where’d you get that idea? There is no such thing as the “Internet Police”. Although there are Internet laws that govern different countries, each country enforces different laws, and there are no international laws. So if you ripped of by someone overseas, the US government can’t do anything about it.
Making sure I am protected is too time consuming
True! It takes a few hours of your time each month. But compare those few hours with the weeks and months of proving your innocence – or recovering your personal information – in the case of Identity Theft. Those few minutes may be well worth it.
My Internet Service Provider gives me all the protection I need
Possible… Nowadays, Internet Service Providers do offer some protection, but most do not provide a complete protection program. Why leave it to someone else? It’s your computer, your files and identity at stake. Take aggressive action; make computer protection your priority. Do it yourself.
Be safe, not sorry
Patty - The Computer Lady




Patty, the Computer Lady, teaches her clients the do-it-yourself way to fix, protect and make thier computers last. Her site is filled with useful info. Visit her at: www.fix-and-protect-your-pc.com