What do you need to backup?
One of the issues regarding backup is - What is it that you need to backup? What are the most important files for you to backup?
Well, the answer for this, in my opinion, is EVERYTHING. What I meant is every file you have, whether you think if it is important or not, is important some way or the other to your functioning. I even say that all the files in “My Documents” should be backed up. You can create a folder outside of “My Documents” and call it “Temp” or whatever, and put there all your UNIMPORTANT files. Look up “Backup files - Who needs this?” for the type of files you surely need to backup:
- Emails and Contacts. If you keep them on the local LAN and don’t use Gmail/Yahoo/Live Mail etc’.
- Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint files - All Microsoft Office suite files should be backed up.
- Pictures - I backup every single picture I take.
- Video files - Same as pictures.
This list is obvious, but I must say again, there are services today that give you very large quota or even unlimited quota to backup. So don’t hesitate to use them - backup everything you can.
A Summary:
- Create a folder outside of “My Document” of your ‘Not Important’ files.
- Try to keep all the rest of your files in your “My Documents” folder.
- Backup your complete “My Documents” folder.
Coming Soon - An even more advanced guide about what you should backup.