You should backup, and depending on your computer needs and usage your backups should occur frequently (sometimes daily). Many computer users equate backing up their computers with their mother's giving them castor oil. It's no fun, but a necessary evil. What is castor oil any way?

Things you should backup on your computer include:

We talk about this subject quite a bit on the program and the web site because of its rapid growth worldwide. In today's tip, I am providing you with links to information that we have on this site that has been up for months to years that contain the essential information about protecting your computer.

1.  Although more powerful than ever before, computers have become more unreliable than ever.

In particular, Windows computers require more expertise to keep them safe, updated, and problem free than at any time in the short history of home computers. Macintosh and Linux operating systems certainly require less technical expertise from the security standpoint, but still rely on desktop applications to create, save and edit data. Web based (cloud) applications provide plenty of power and flexibility for the vast majority of computer users while also presenting a simpler interface.

2.  You already spend 90% of your time in the cloud already. 

Non-business computer users spend the majority of their computer time]]> http://helpmerick.com/5-reasons-why-you-should-be-moving-to-the-cloud.htm/feed 7 http://helpmerick.com/how-can-i-increase-traffic-to-my-site.htm http://helpmerick.com/how-can-i-increase-traffic-to-my-site.htm#comments Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:09:52 +0000 Rick http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2285 What a week! For some reason, my scheduling went a little awry this week and made for some long days. In addition to my scheduling problems, however, I could have saved a ton of time (thus the 3 day hiatus of new posts) and my clients could have saved a lot of money if they were more diligent about backing up their data and keeping track of passwords and software.

This web site is exactly the same age as my business...almost 13 years old. In those thirteen years, I can emphatically claim that customers who read my site daily and follow the advice and tips have far less problems and trouble with their computers than those who never visit. And when regular readers of HelpMeRick.com do need an on site consultation from me, they rarely last longer than an hour and usually involve more instruction that troubleshooting. After building this site for 13 years and adding to it almost daily, I can answer at least eighty percent of the most common computer questions with articles found right here at HelpMeRick.com.

I pose the question to you, the faithful HelpMeRick.com visitor: What can]]> http://helpmerick.com/how-can-i-increase-traffic-to-my-site.htm/feed 4 http://helpmerick.com/7-ways-to-become-a-more-efficient-web-user-video-tip.htm http://helpmerick.com/7-ways-to-become-a-more-efficient-web-user-video-tip.htm#comments Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:30:22 +0000 Rick http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2083 All week long I help computer users of all ages and experience levels. Too often, I see that many computer users (beginners and experienced alike) do not utilize or know about some basic web browsing skills that will speed their work and give them less problems when using the Internet.

In this week's tip, I will highlight the inefficient habits computer users use and replace them with tips that will make YOU a quicker and more profecient web user.

1.  Using an old browser

No matter how old your computer is or what operating system you are using, DO NOT USE INTERNET EXPLORER 6 (IE 6). IE 6 is late 20th century technology and is not compatible with much of the web today and it also poses the greatest security risks.

Instead, use]]> http://helpmerick.com/7-ways-to-become-a-more-efficient-web-user-video-tip.htm/feed 2 http://helpmerick.com/what-is-open-source.htm http://helpmerick.com/what-is-open-source.htm#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:33:29 +0000 Rick http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2266 Open Source software began soon after computers became main stream in offices and then homes. In a nut shell, Open Source refers to software developed under a set standard of rules that developers agree upon to make the software freely available, no penalties for copying or sharing the programs (in fact, it is encouraged to share the software), the source code (programming) must be made available to anyone, and the software must also have no restrictions on others making variations of the software. You can read an exact definition and read the licensing information at the Open Source Initiative web site here.

Open Source software seems to be gaining more and more traction in the computer world as budgets start to tighten in an uncertain financial climate. This week, OpenOffice.org released the newest version of their Open Source office suite software. I've been using the beta version of the software for a couple of months and find it to be quite good. OpenOffice is considered one of the bright lights in the Open Source software world and for good reason. It offers an extremely]]> http://helpmerick.com/what-is-open-source.htm/feed 0 http://helpmerick.com/get-a-new-computer-for-almost-free.htm http://helpmerick.com/get-a-new-computer-for-almost-free.htm#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:24:47 +0000 Rick http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2260 If you would like or might even need a new computer, but aren't crazy about spending $500-1500 in our current financial environment, consider upgrading your computer for free. Yes, I said free. The only investment you will incur is some time. "How", you ask? By upgrading your computer's operating system to one of the many Linux options. As many of you know, I started dabbling and learning more about Linux a little more than two years ago. Linux offers a secure, completely functional, modern operating system for free. Linux falls under the guise of Open Source software (available for free and developed by a collaboration of many programmers) and has spawned many different versions to suit all sorts of users.

The most popular version of Linux the past few years, and the one that hooked me, is Ubuntu. Ubuntu has risen to become, arguably, the leader in Linux operating systems. Ubuntu's popularity stems from the solid community behind the product that supports and develops it, the incredible array of software that comes installed automatically including full Office compatiblity, networking, photo and multimedia tools, and even games. To get the equal functionality that Ubuntu gives users upon installation, a Windows user would have to shell out nearly $1000 for software alone. Ubuntu throws the knockout punch by offering all this for not only free, but also in a package written well enough that it installs in under 20 minutes and runs on hardware that would buckle under the weight of]]> http://helpmerick.com/get-a-new-computer-for-almost-free.htm/feed 6 http://helpmerick.com/whats-adam-been-up-to.htm http://helpmerick.com/whats-adam-been-up-to.htm#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:55:02 +0000 Rick http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2205 Hey folks, just checking in to let everyone know that I am still around. I don't come around as much any more because I have been taking a break from my HelpMeRick.com duties to spend time with my family and work on a few other projects behind the scenes.

I am very proud of one such project, a website called ChanisProgress.org.