Backin' up because my daddy taught me good...

One of the great lessons of adulthood is that your realize all the cliches are true. For the digital world, I think an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Let's talk about prevention. If your using your computer in your scrap process, you probably need to make these seriously boring habits a part of your routine. I know I do.

I'm gonna share what I do each month to keep myself from drowning in digital chaos and making sure our family doesn't have a serious interruption to our digital life. It seems like a lot, but I've figured a little trick to keep it quick and easy-peasy. I'm going to share what I do and when I do it in a handy-dandy list:

Downloads Folder
the folder(s) everything you download ends up
I do the tasks in this group before I download new product in a new month. That means before I do any downloading on May 1st, I do all these things. Makes it a lot easier to get scrapping after shopping!

• Unzip Files
• It's easy to unzip in batches with free programs like Unzip Them All
• Delete or store zip files
• I keep my zip files awhile after I unzip, but keep them in a folder named "unzipped" so the files are out of the way
• Organize and delete all other files
• The stuff you accidentally download, only needed temporarily or are no longer useful... AKA the stuff in your digital junk drawer

Supplies
If you're like me, you have a lot. I don't do much organizing, but if I do, it's done with the things in the Download Folder group. 

• Organizing
• Put your files where they go. Even my basic organizing system means I have to do this. If you want more ideas for organizing, click HERE. 
• Tagging
• I admit, I never do this, but if I did, I do it after organizing. 
• Deleting  
• This could fall under Organizing, but because of the fear it elicits. If you want to delete supplies, but can't quite hit the actual delete button, try creating a "maybe delete" folder. Put the supplies you thought to delete in the folder, then wait six months to re-evaluate your feelings about the product. Chances are you'll either see the product and want to use it or you'll toss it. 
• Backing Up
• I use Backblaze. After the initial back up, I turned of the automatic back ups. I'm not wired into router, so the constant backing up bogs down my interwebz experience. Instead, I switch the back on at bed time the same day I do my planning for the upcoming month. 
• I'm also creating a second back up for my printable layouts and favorite photos by taking advantage of free Flickr storage. 

Photos

• Organizing
• My system is loose like my supply system. I organize by date the photo is taken. 
• Tagging 
• I PSE to import my photos, so I use the auto tagging feature when my photos are loaded. I always make sure to write the meta data when I'm done, so the tags stick to the file. 

• Processing
• I do this as needed. 

For great tips, tutorials and classes on organizing supplies and photos, check out Digital Scrapbooking HQ. 

Computer:
Unless otherwise specified, I do these things when my computer starts feeling slow or every Sunday before my shower. 

• Organizing Files
• I do this at the beginning of each month
• Deleting Unnecessary Files
• I do this before I back up my files
• Clearing software clipboard and cache and/or optimizing performance
• Did you know your scrapping and photo software had these things? They do. When my programs hang, I always clean things up. Here's how:
• Photoshop
• Elements
• Paint Shop Pro
• Cleaning out temporary files 
• I do this twice a month or if my computer starts to lag a little. Norton has button to push to accomplish in the tasks menu and I imagine other security programs have a similar button. You can also do this manually (make sure you can view hidden folders):  
• Start Menu>Computer>OS(C:)>Users>Your Computer Indentitfier (may have a little lock by it)>App Data>Local>Temp the delete all those files. Some will stay, so if your computer insists, skip those. Done! 
• Deleting Browser Data
• You can do this in the Control Panel under Internet Options. If you aren't using IE, open your browser and delete your data with the browser's native tools. 
• Checking for Malware, Spyware, Registry Errors, Viruses and Tracking Cookies
• I use Norton and Malwarebytes programs. 
• Running Disk Clean Up
• In your Accessories Folder you have this really cool tool that cleans stuff up. Run it. Check all the dialog boxes, hit OK. 
• System Reboot
• Because it's good to get a fresh start after doing all this stuff. 

Hardware:
We do this with all our electronics whenever we clean under desks. My hubby is incredibly anal about these tasks! We have more canned air than anyone ever should.

• Vents ensure they are clear of debris and nothing is blocking air flow
• You'd be amazed at keeping vents and ports free of dust improves performance and keep the fan healthy (a computer will not run without a fan). Don't kill your computer this way.  
• Check Wires 
• Are they in a safe place? Completely connected? Is any metal exposed? Are prongs damaged? 
• Clean & Dust
• This includes things like your mouse, mouse pads, headsets. Use a lens cloth on your monitors or products formulated for cleaning. Turn your keyboard upside down over a trash can and shake gently. You can use a slightly damp cloth to wipe down your hardware. 

Did I mention BACK UP!! That's what I'm currently doing and writing this post while I wait for things to finish up. The trick is to incorporate these tasks into your routine. It will quickly become habit and you'll avoid mega-digital-disasters, too!




P.S. The video at the top of this post is the song I listen to whenever I back up my files.