| The last thing you want to do is lose all of your | | | | you use POP3 email software. While Web mail users |
| contancts and correspondence. When it comes to | | | | don't have this problem, people using POP3 services |
| finding the right backup software you need to go | | | | aren't as lucky when computer disaster strikes. |
| with a product that will back up all of the files that | | | | You may also want to back up your computer |
| are important to you. How do you know which files | | | | settings, especially if you have to restore a computer |
| should be backed up and which shouldn't? Should you | | | | from scratch or transfer your backup to a new |
| back up all of your files and settings just to be safe? | | | | computer altoghether. Having your settings backed |
| Here are some guidelines to follow regarding which | | | | up can save you a lot of frustration in these |
| files you absolutely must back up and which ones | | | | situations. |
| might not be as important. | | | | Information That's Not So Important |
| The Must-Haves | | | | If you have the installation discs for your software |
| When it comse to backup software there are certain | | | | programs you don't necessarily need to back these |
| files that you absolutely need to back up. These are | | | | up. Temporary files are also not necessary to save. |
| usually files that would be very hard, or even | | | | A good rule of thumb is that if you don't mind if the |
| impossible to replace. Birth certificates, bank | | | | file goes missing forever or you have easy access to |
| statements, insurance documents... All of these files | | | | it somewhere else, you don't necessarily need your |
| should be backed up on a regular basis. | | | | software to back it up for you. |
| Databases, documents, work files and other | | | | Fortunately a good backup software product will |
| important information should also be backed up. You | | | | ensure that all of your important files are backed up |
| may even want to back up copies of your email if | | | | properly and with as little hassle as possible. |