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.

http://home.epix.net/~maywrite/newslet.htm

I recommend it highly — I’ve never come across anything else like this anywhere, especially because of the descriptive paragraphs. Not only will you learn about “what’s out there,” but you may also learn what other writers are doing to promote their work. Note that this list grows out of the very active community of mystery writers, but all writers can learn from this list.