When not If

Your computer hard drive is going to fail. You may or may not be able to recover your data. This is the main reason it is imperative that you back up your important files.

To make this easier and more foolproof, USE 1 AND ONLY ONE FOLDER FOR EVERYTHING. Create subfolders under this for different groups.

Each program you install or use online has a default location where it stores the files/data it creates. . Go to your single main directory, create a new folder if needed, and make this the default. Move all your existing files to this master library and change the defaults on each old program.

Now at least once a week copy this one folder (which contains all the other folders) to a backup media. Use your search function to find ones you missed. Search for all *.doc or *.txt and drag&drop into your new file system..A USB external hard drive (I use this), or a memory stick, tape drive, R/W CD/DVD or any other removable form. Keep the last two and delete older ones. When the number of files grows too big, move groups not used much to a permanent media (burn on CD) and remove them from your file system. Label and store this in a safe place. i.e. 2002JTaxFiles.

You might be amazed how much easier it is to find things that are now scattered throughout your computer.

It will take some planning to figure how you group things (this will change at least 3 times), some time to implement it, and a little time to backup and clean but as they say "Pay me now or pay me later"

Previous Hints

East-End Bridge

6 March 2008 ;Proposed East End Bridge

A rendering of the current design for the East-End bridge across the Ohio River at mile marker 595.

We can't wait to get a picture of your boat going under the new bridge. I mean we CAN'T wait. Please email a picture preferably with smiling members on board along with the boat & member's names, location, and any other information of interest.

Send them to web@ louisvillepowersquadron.com Subject: Boat People

Previous Pictures

How a Sail Works
Have you ever wondered how a sail works? It's both easier and harder than it seems. View article...

Site Navigation HELP

12 October 2007

Now available for new and returning visitors is a help window for main menu selections.

Access it from the link on the top of the right column - "Click Me for Menu HELP".(You must have "scripts" enabled for this version to work.) This will open a second smaller window with the help. If you want to click on the button, use the version below.

It is also available on the "Navigation" menu on the left side of each of the section main pages with no script restrictions. You may click on a button to go to that section. Right click then "Back" to return.

Move the cursor over a button for information on the section. You can drag the window to a more convenient location by left click and holding down the mouse on the top border (Give it a try!). Remove the help window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.

Our new LSPS Mapping System

Drive or boat to the next event with total certainty. Our new mapping program will show you where it is and even give you turn by turn directions.

Click on this symbol (Knights of Columbus) and choose the location listed next to it

 Click here for help.

Biofuel Boating News

29 July 2007

The way gas prices are going, and since I'm not interested in a lateral move to a sailboat (been there, done that, bought the t-shirt around 1953), it's probably a good idea to pay attention to any potential developments in alternative fuels. To that end, I submit the following:

Peter Bethune, a former oil exploration engineer from New Zealand, is seeking liposuctioned fat to power his prototypical Earthrace Boat. Yeah, it's mostly a publicity gambit to draw attention to the boat, the race and Bethune's efforts to get the word out on biofuels. An effective publicity gambit, I hasten to add. The various "Soylent Green"-type headlines surely got me to investigate

And an Italian farming association is working on biofuels produced from sunflowers and sugar beets. Its sunflower oil-powered boat premiered at the recent Kyoto Protocol conference in Montreal. Sounds crazy, but the boat ran fine, the retrofit - whenever it comes on the market - is going to be relatively inexpensive and (my favorite part) everything reportedly smelled faintly like French fries after the demonstration.

Living Aboard a Sailboat - Where Do I Put the Boat?

29 March 2007 Regina Steed

A live aboard sailor shares tips about where to put your boat you want to live aboard.

Where do you keep a live aboard boat? You have three main options .

The first being you can call around and find a marina that allows live aboards; not all do. Living at a marina simplifies thing for many people. There are many conveniences while living in a marina. Many include things like bathrooms, laundry, parking. The downside is the cost, most marina fees are comparable to rental fees. You also have to deal with neighbors closer at hand.

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