I am a very very proud father.

Between yesterday and today, all my children decided to put a password or pass phrase on their local computer accounts. While this was probably initiated by the 12 yo wanting a password on the younger one's machines, not connected to the internet. This prompted the 5 and nearly 6 year old's to request a password of their own. The 5 y/o chose a 7 character password and the 6 y/o chose a 9 letter pass phrase.

I am pleased to see the children learning/applying such good computer practices at such a young age. Such good computer practices will surely stick with them for a long time. Now to teach them to not share their password.

-- Tim Krabec
Kracomp.com

Hurricane Season is here

It is once again time for Hurricane season. Time to dust off the emergency plan or develop one.
Resources:
www.ready.gov Basic planning for your business, home, & information for the kids
www.floridadisaster.org A similar site for Floridians, Family, business, & home strengthening.

Backup your data, off-site do this in advance of a storm as it can take a day or more to backup several "Gigs" of data. Or simple copy the information to removable drives and send it with trust worthy employees (encryption is recommended in case the media gets lost or stolen)

Be prepared to work with out power or computers for a few days, or possibly phones and a building, get remote call forwarding on your primary business and fax lines so you can re-route out of state or to a place with working phones, remotely.

Get a supply of water and food for your home and business, be prepared to feed your employees and allow their families to come to work. If you're going to ask them to work after a disaster remember restaurants, and childcare is probably not going to be available.

One Final note, Planning to go out of business is a valid response to a disaster, provided you make the choice before the disaster and you are forced out of business.

-- Tim Krabec
Kracomp.com

Time & Scheduling

There never seems to be enough time in a day, week or month. Find a schedule/system and use it, 43 Folders, Franklin Covey, or just a calendar. Get a program and start using it. Schedule your business, personal and free time. Put a value on your time for each activity, this does not have to be written, just noted. Allow some time in your schedule for flexibility. Share your calendar with your spouse/significant other, find out what is important to them, and plan appropriately.

Check your calendar when ever scheduling, especially if you have a shared calendar with your S.O. or even business partner. Remember to charge appropriately for rush jobs & for jobs that interrupt your free time. Remember to value your employee's time as well. A few hrs of time off during the week with out a hassle can go a long way, when you need a bit more time or an extra couple hours over a weekend.

-- Tim Krabec
Kracomp.com