Improving Home Office Technology: How to Become a Tech-savvy Person's Guide

From software shortcuts to office design brainstorms, here's how to do more--often without spending more. In today's age of technology, there are many who are often left clueless in the jargon of computer programmers. However, following these special tips will help make sense out of all that and be on your way to a healthy and knowledgeable computer relationship.

To make finding the solutions you need even easier--time is money, after all--we've focused the spotlight on 10 home office technology categories: data protection and storage; Internet use; Web browsing; hardware and peripherals; communications tools; presentations; core applications; tech support; office design; and business travel.

Along with tips and tricks, you'll find some suggestions for tools to add to your home office utility belt. Whatever your business, we guarantee these insider's shortcuts and undocumented secrets will help you do everything better, smarter, and faster than before.

Disaster-Proof Your Data

Dangers to your critical files lurk around every corner, but there's no need to suffer a data loss if you follow our advice for safeguarding your files and tightening your PC security. These following tips are must-do's to ensure protection for your PC.

1 Build a backup plan. The first rule of thumb for backup is "just do it." But to make things simpler, separate items that don't change (like last year's tax documents) from folders of dynamic data such as client invoices, contact management files, and open projects. Now you can back up static files just once, and schedule weekly (or even daily) backups for folders in constant use.

2 Zip and fly. Before backing up, use a compression utility like WinZip (800-242-4775, www.winzip.com; $29) or ZipMagic (800-645-3649, www.mijenix.com; $39) to combine related items and reduce the number of floppies, Zip disks, or tapes you need to store your data.

Computers are extremely powerful and capable; make sure to harness the energy to make it a positive.

Credit: Jordan Gregory

Copyright: Jordan Gregory