Top Ten computing commandments for you to follow

Making regular backups of your computer's data would most certainly be near the top of the 10 commandments of computing if there was such a list. Needless to say that no such stone tablets exist as far as I know. But there are certain things one should do to insure that your computing experience will always be a happy one. If I had to come up with such a list, the following would be my best shot at it.

1. Always use an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) with your computer. (You never know when the power will go out.)

2. Always make regular, scheduled backups of your computer's data.

3. Always have some kind of anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware or Inteet security software in place.

4. Always secure your WiFi network with the best available encryption such as WPA2.

5. Choose your operating system wisely and not based on what someone told you to use.

6. Select your Inteet access speed based on what you need and can afford, and not just on the fastest speed that's available in your area.

7. Spend the most you can afford on a new computer to help stave off obsolescence.

8. You probably really don't need a mouse with more than three buttons and a scroll wheel.

9. Always use a router, a firewall and never connect directly to the Inteet.

10. Always have an extra toner or ink cartridge for your printer nearby. (They always run out when the stores are closed and your report is due first thing in the moing.)

There you have it. No stone tablets and certainly no fanfare. Just some basic, common sense rules of computing that will keep you out of trouble. That said, let me tell you about Second Copy from Centered Systems. Second Copy is an easy to use backup software utility that works with Windows XP and later. Second Copy 8 is the current version.

Second Copy lets you define sets of profiles that are comprised of files and folders that tell the program exactly what you want copied, to where you want them copied and when you want it to happen.

One of the things I like best about Second Copy is that it doesn't use any propriety formats. In other words you don't need Second Copy to restore your data. You can use Windows Explorer or any other copy utility to restore the files from the backup you made using Second Copy. You can however use up to 256-bit AES Encryption to secure and compress your data if you like. Data can be backed up from networked PCs as well. Second Copy can even send an email notification when the backup is completed.

Second Copy has a fully functional 30-day free trial, sells for $29.95 and is available for download at www.secondcopy.com.