Most of us have learned (the hard way) to back up our critical computer data regularly. Whether you choose floppy, zip, CD, USB or another method, make sure you can recover files from a backup too.

If you use a program that creates a backup set, you may not be able to recover just the one file you need. You’ll have to revert back all the files in the set. That could spell trouble.

If you have old, old backups that you may need, you should modernize the backup media over time. For example, if your great American novel is backed up on a 5-1/4 inch floppy disk, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find a computer with that drive size. The same is becoming true with 3-1/2 inch floppy drives. Many new computers ship without a floppy drive.

CDs can become unreliable - as though the data fades right off. The coating on CD’s does not last forever. For long-term storage they should be kept upright in cases, away from light, heat and humidity.

Popular and inexpensive USB thumb drives have at least a ten year data retention ability. And we hope USB ports will be around that long.

Even file formats can be a problem. Files created in very, very old versions of Quicken, Word, and obsolete programs will not easily convert to new programs — so if your computer records go back more than ten years, keep upgrading them to new software and new backup devices over time.

I usually dissuade clients from trying to refill ink cartridges on their own. An improperly filled cartridge can make a huge mess in the printer if it leaks. It also automatically voids your printer warranty. But there is another way - to save money and help the environment, by letting a professional do the re-inking.

A new shop has opened in Glenview: Cartridge World at 2865 Pfingsten in Glenview (north-east corner near Walgreen's).

Contact owner Kathleen Quillen at 847-562-0971. They have good prices on refills for ink jet and laser toner cartridges and offer a 100% guarantee. For local businesses they will even pick up your empty cartridges and deliver the refills.

I love the satisfied feeling of getting my taxes done early, but it rarely happens. Projects pile up and finding a free Saturday to plow through the Tax Folder of Doom just doesn't get done. But one Saturday in March I sit down at my computer and a few hours later say, "That wasn't so bad!"

The easiest way to get started if you prepare your own taxes is with a software program. It forces you to organize paperwork the way you'll need it -- saving you countless hair-pulling minutes searching for forms and receipts.

These are the most popular, (and very inexpensive) personal income tax programs:

Complete Tax from CCH, INC. (www.completetax.com)

Tax Act from 2nd Story Software (www.taxact.com)

Tax Cut from H&R Block (www.taxcut.com)

Turbo Tax from Intuit (www.turbotax.com)

As you click through the interview process, you'll be asked to gather all your 1099's and W-2's reflecting income, then your investment income forms for dividends and interest, then checkbook figures for health insurance premiums, property tax, etc.

Math? Calculator? No need - the programs do it all.

If you have basic computer skills, you can succeed with tax prep software. And while taxes are never "fun," they can be quick to calculate and motivate you to do recordkeeping that matches the way the IRS wants information reported. And that already makes next year's filing a bit less taxing.

The IRS also has thousands of resources on their web site and forms you can download for last-minute filers. You can also find out if you're eligible for free tax filing.

1. Grab a few old magazines and newspaper articles. Copy the pertinent info into your computer, then recycle the paper.

2. Look through your email address book and remove the duplicates. Friends all switched to SBC or Comcast? Get rid of those old addresses they had five years ago.

3. Test your internet connection speed - at www.cnet.com/internet. Scroll down to Bandwidth Meter and put in your area code.

4. Shape up your web search skills. Move beyond Google to Clusty or Yahoo for power searches. Even Microsoft will soon launch a new search technique.

5. When planning a purchase, visit shopping.com to compare prices on electronics, home and family accessories. Sort of like Expedia - which compares travel costs.

I've used up all my electrons for the month, so please visit my blog at www.cclarity.blogspot.com for a new article on child safety online. It's a very different world today but there are some very good sources and ideas to help children learn and explore safely.

Note: The next electronics recycling event is Saturday, May 13, 2006 at SWANCC in Glenview. See www.swancc.org for a list of acceptable products. It's time to pitch your old computers, monitors, modems, keyboards and broken printers. Be sure to delete all data before tossing old computers.

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

Helen Gallagher

Phone: 847-998-6240, www.cclarity.com

Feel free to forward this issue of Computer Clarity's monthly e-newsletter to your friends, or invite them to subscribe on my site at www.cclarity.com. There's no charge.