My New Year's Tech Resolutions

Let me start by saying that I know I am late by a few weeks. My New Year’s resolution for 2013 will be to write my blog on time.

The end of a year and the beginning of the next seem to naturally bring out a need in people for introspection, and those of us in the tech world are no different. Although so many of us have our own personal demons to conquer, and resolutions to make, (goodness knows the Taco Bell™ drive-through is open late), the resolutions I am talking about here are about technology.

1. I resolve this year to back up all of my important stuff. I realize that EVERY hard drive eventually will fail and that retrieving files off of a broken hard drive can be at best expensive and at worst impossible. The thought of losing pictures of my kids makes me lose sleep.
2. I resolve this year to make sure my computer runs all of its important updates. I understand that these updates come from the software manufacturers to help keep my computer safer and more stable. I know now that Microsoft™ sends out these updates once a week. Updates for other software packages such as Flash™, Java™ and web browsers may come at other times.
3. I resolve this year not to ignore errors or warnings that my computer shows me. I know that any computer can have a software problem from time to time, but when I see warnings or crashes on a regular basis it means something is wrong. I realize that these things really don’t get better or go away, but instead get worse over time. I also know that The Computer Cafe offers a free computer checkup.
4. I resolve this year not to click on ANYTHING unless I already know what it is. Like a Mob hit, attacks on your computer often come from friends. Sometimes people’s email can get hijacked and start sending emails to everyone in their contact list with links to attack sites or virus downloads.
5. I resolve this year to avoid free programs I see online that claim to improve the performance of my computer. I know now that there is “no such thing as a free lunch” and that these types of programs often do more harm than good.
6. I resolve this year to keep my computer clean. With the fans inside, computers are like dust magnets. Dust builds up inside the computer and can block air flow, reducing the computer’s ability to stay cool. I will keep a can of compressed air right next to my computer and blow out the vents once a month. Once a year I will bring my computer to The Computer Cafe for a cleaning and perhaps a tune-up.

We never know how much we depend on our computers until the day we find ourselves without them. All of these things I resolve to do will help me use my computer every day for the things I need most. Oh and…

     7. I resolve this year to Email my sister more.