In business we talk about planning and organizing so much, but how often do we practice what we preach? Organizing is so important for businesses we have folders on our desks with details about projects we are working on. We have folders in our email to keep our correspondence from getting misplaced. But when it comes to organizing the software CD’s that are installed on our computers, most people fall short.

Do you have all your software cd-roms in one place? Do you even know where they are? I’ll bet the cd’s are in a box “somewhere”!

So many technical experts discuss backing up your computer and I will stress that is important; but understand that only data is usually backed up. If your computer crashes you will need to re-install the software that works with your data. For example, Microsoft Word documents are backed up, but without Microsoft Word installed you can not read what is in the document.

Make some time; very soon, to take all your computer software cd’s, including your cd for your operating system (i.e. Windows Xp) and organize them. Put them all together in one place. Buy a cd-holder or do what I do find a small storage box. And if you want to make sure you never loose your cd’s you could even put them in a fire-safe box. This is a great idea for home businesses.

So remember backing up is only one step to protecting your computer system. Organizing your software cd’s and protecting them will make a disaster less painful.

This is Jennifer Shaheen The technology Therapist with your Technology Tip of the week!