Best Practices – Let’s Review what we have learned!

As a result of writing these posts. I’ve decided that my personal “disaster plan” needs some updating. I’ve decided to share some of my findings with you as a way to review the previous posts.

What do I use my computer(s) for? I primarily use my computer for communication. I use it to write these posts and I also use email as a very important means of communications with my clients and business associates.

I spend a lot of time online doing research and keeping up to date on changing technologies. I subscribe to many ezines and RSS feeds from about a dozen blogs that provide me with good information.

I am a spreadsheet fanatic. The first spreadsheet was Visicalc, introduced in the early eighties I believe to run on the Apple II and the Radio Shack TRS-80. I worked for Radio Shack at the time and immediately got why I would want a computer when I saw the power (limited as it was compared to today’s programs) of Visicalc.

I think that I tend to over analyze things because I have so much fun, yes I said fun, with my spreadsheets. If you only use a spreadsheet to add up a few numbers, drop me a note and I will share some things with you.

I also use my computer for my business and person accounting. I use Quickbooks Pro 2003 for the business and Quicken for the family. I use Tax Cut Deluxe for my personal taxes.

I use Microsoft Office 2003 on top of Windows XP Professional. Internet Explore 6.0 and Outlook Express are my choices for web browser and email clients.

I know where all my disks are. They are in my office – scattered in 4 or 5 different places, but all of them are in my office. I think I can find most everything I would need to recreate my computer system. On the other hand, as I type this I realize that many programs and updates are stored in a “downloaded files” directory and the serial numbers are in emails sent to me when I purchased the software on line. I think that they are backed up…. I’d better check.

How is your “Best Practices” exercise coming along? Post a comment or two if you don’t mind.

Marc