Crash Benefits, part 2: What’s On Your Computer
I’ve already written about some new lessons I’ve learned from my recent hard disk crash regarding backup procedures. There were other lessons.
As I scrambled to gather essential information from my dying hard disk that would help me set up a new one, I realized how important it is to know the details of your current setup. First and foremost, perhaps, is data about installed software. If you’ve been using your computer for any length of time, you are likely to have lots and lots of programs, some commercial for which you have installation disks, some shareware with downloaded installation files stashed somewhere [on your hard disk or perhaps on a CD], and finally some freeware that can easily and profitably be downloaded again in most recent form.
I realized, for example, that I had countless programs I had paid for, downloaded and installed. I had to find those installation files. AND in many cases, also the sign-in name and registration number. I certainly did NOT wish to buy all that software again.
Fortunately, I save most of this information, which comes to me via email, filed away in a special “Reference” folder in my email program. In recent years, I’ve also decided to use web-based email, now that online storage is no longer a major concern. My reference material then is safe from hard disk failure. I have finally settled on Gmail as my primary email, but I have also installed Thunderbird on my computer, which can download all of my Gmail so that I have offline copies.
I also am mostly faithful in entering information about my software into SoftCAT, a program I’ve maintained for years. This is a very convenient place to record details such as when the software was purchased, what it cost, the download site, and the essential registration details.
Until recently, SoftCAT has been available as freeware. Fortunately, one can still track down the free version. You’ll find the free version at the incredible website Gizmo’s Tech Support Alert. Gizmo maintains a comprehensive list of the best freeware, organized into many sub-categories and featuring helpful analysis of the top choices. While at the site, consider subscribing to the free monthly newsletter. I even recommend Gizmo’s Premier Edition, which costs about $50 a year — it’s one of my most eagerly awaited email newsletter [among dozens that I follow].
The Plus version of SoftCAT, for those might be interested, offers addtional power. I usually copy and past software descriptions, feature lists, user reviews and such in the Notes section. And when available, I copy the screenshots and store up to 7 of them under the screenshot tab.
Stay tuned for a couple more recommendations along these lines.
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Comments
Katherine, thanks for your info re Linux — and glad to know we have a Linux user reading this blog.
Which leads me to ask: what word processor and other writing tools do you use on Linux? I may be picking up one of those small, inexpensive mini-laptops that runs on Linux — so I’m really curious.
Tom
Tom Colvin Thanks for the timely reminder and specific how-to and websites. You have saved me countless hours–both now and in case of future failures. Thank you!
Kristi Holl 
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This is a great summary of what you can do in Windows to back up.
I don’t know anything about Macintosh systems, but this is how you do it in Linux (Ubuntu and others):
Go to your home folder using your file navigator. (I’m using Ubuntu and so I would use Places -> Home Folder, although of course there are other ways.) Display hidden folders. Unless you have an unusual setup, this will be all of your data, plus all of your settings and application data. That’s what you need to back up.
If you have bought software, you should have it on CD so you can re-install it. This includes the OS itself, of course.
Hope this helps.