iBackup is a great Mac solution for backing up files to an external hard drive, or to Dropbox. Used in conjunction with Time Machine, it offers complete peice of mind.
Download it HERE
Synctoy is free backup software for windows.
You can setup folder pairs to copy the contents of on folder to another.
An example would be to setup your 'My Documents' folder, and copy it to a folder on an external drive.
Not only do I use it to copy important files to my DropBox folder, I use the windows scheduler to automatically run the software and copy all folder pairs at midnight.
Use this path as a guide to run All folder pairs in scheduler.
"C:\Documents and Settings\[WINDOWS USER]\Local Settings\Application Data\SyncToy\SyncToy.exe" -R
Download it HERE
DropBox is a great way to backup important files. Once installed, you simply drag your files to your dropbox folder. You can access your files via a web interface, or by installing DropBox on other machines.
DropBox gives you 2 gigabytes FREE storage. You can pay for more storage as required.
Check it oou HERE
Rule number 1 is obviously 'GET A MAC'. However, if you are forced, as am I, to use windows machines from time to time, here are Six Basic Rules For Safe Computing'
1. Don’t open email attachments; even if it’s from someone you know. If you do get something from someone you know, make sure that they really sent it to you. Email attachments are the number one way viruses and trojan horses get into your email. You might also want to turn off HTML email in Outlook and other programs. HTML emails are just as dangerous as rogue web sites, and can spread infections just by previewing them.
2. Don’t click links in email. That link could lead you to a phishing site, or the link may lead you to install malicious software. Copy and paste links into your browser, or type them in by hand instead. Another reason to disable HTML email - the HTML hides the real destination of that seemingly innocuous link.
3. Don’t download files from places you aren’t absolutely sure are safe. Stick with the well known sites. Teeneagers who use filesharing software like BitTorrent, Azureus, etc., often unwittingly download spyware and trojans.Also don’t click on links that strangers send you in social networking sites. Don’t accept links to update flash. Go directly to Adobe and let it determine if you need a new version of flash.
4. Update your OS regularly! Turn on automatic updates in OS X and Windows. Apply all critical updates immediately. Criminals often create hacks within 24 hours of Microsoft’s patches (these are called zero day exploits), so you need to protect yourself the day the patches appear.
5. Use a firewall. The best firewall is a hardware router - the kind you use to share an internet connection. Even if they’re not billed as firewalls, they are, and they’re quite effective. I also recommend turning on your operating system’s firewall - even if you have a router - but I don’t recommend third-party software firewalls. They cause more problems than they solve.
6. Have inexperienced users run as limited users.
Click Here for details
Social networking is here to stay, so how do we introduce our kids to it's benifits and pitfalls?
I am a father of 3, and whilst my oldest is over 18, I have 2 girls fast approching the teenage years.
I have a fairly open mind, if not completely open when it comes to my kid's use of technology, but can understand if some people re apprhensive, espescially those of the pre internet generation who may not understand all the ins and outs.
I listen a few podcasts by Leo Laporte, who is very clever accross the board. He has recently broached the subject on one of his weekly radio shows in the US. He seem to have summed it up pretty well.
It is well worth a listen for any parent with concerns.
Click HERE to go to his download site and download The Tech Gut Episode 648.
You can skip through the first 3 or 4 minutes to get to the subject at hand.
With the ever growing switch to 'Cloud Computing' becoming an increasing part of my workflow, I'm kicking myself that I've only just started to take bookmarking Delicious seriously.
I was using an online bookmarking service called 'Homepage Startup', however, whilst it is a great service, it is run by a bloke in LA, and the service can go down if for some reason he doesn't pay his monthly GoDaddy bill.
I've been without my 'Cloud' bookmarks twice now for over 2 weeks, which is a pain in the bum, and I've heard Leo Laporte and Merlin Mann talk about Delicious a lot on Leo' Macbreak Weekly podcast.
I signed up and BINGO. I exported all my Safari bookmarks to Delicious, along with TAGS that make it easy to organise and find bookmarks in Delicious. I've also installed plugins for Firefox so I can bookmark easily on the Windows machines that I use.
Check it out HERE 
Stumble Upon is a great site where you sign up, log in and select subjects or genres that interest you.
You then click the 'Stumble' button, and you are taken to random sites that meet the criteria you've entered.
You can add sites that you really like to your Stumble Upon favourites, or bookmark them as you normally would.
Check it out HERE 
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