Wow, I’m getting ready to upgrade my computer system to Windows 7 this weekend, and I’m amazed at how much we rely on our computers these days. Of course, first and foremost, all of my writing is on this machine. Ten books, and 3 proposals at the moment. All stored in one place (well, and the multiple back-ups).

Writing has changed drastically since the time of the writers I write about. Craig used a manual typewriter as did Anthony Boucher. Erle Stanley Gardner used a dictaphone for his writing, but the myriad secretaries he employed all used manual typewriters as well. Carbon copies as a back-up, and no cut/paste or my absolute favorite — the backspace key — or autoreplace.

I’m getting a new back-up system in a few weeks as well. A new way to keep a terrabyte of data, mostly writing, safe and secure. I remember when a gigabyte was considered huge, but then of course, I worked with punched cards at one point.

But I also have all my tax and financial records on this computer. All of my teaching supplies. iTunes. Photos. I use the Internet so much for research. So there’s lots to save and back up before I start this endeavor.

Of course, it doesn’t help that I’m doing it on Friday the 13th either. I’m being doubly careful to ensure my data’s safety. I hear the old stories of the authors who have lost entire books and it makes me cringe. So while good, it makes me leary.

I’m updating myself with a new back-up system, monitor, and a netbook for Christmas. I’m hoping someone pops by to make some recommendations before the holidays!