ALWAYS either back-up on a floppy disk and/or print things out. I had a terrible sysyem crash awhile back and all my manuscripts were lost, gone, fini, never to be seen or heard of again...I was devastated but when I called my computer man he said, "aha, I was afraid of something like that so I put all your stuff on 2 floppy disks." We are talking about two years work here. Now I have the disks and have to put the work back on my coputer. So you see what a problem it can be. I love my laptop and don't use anything else, never have.

[ July 26, 2005, 10:55 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

I have trouble typing on a laptop. However, I wrote the first draft of my book on one but have gotten used to my PC.

Question: Can you explain how the wireless works? How do you get it hooked up, etc.

writegirl - I keep two floppy copies for my manuscripts, in addition to my master file on my laptop.

My son bought me a flashdrive and it is wonderful, except the device is so small that I am afraid I will lose it so I have not used it for any manuscripts yet.

I tended to print out more than I needed to, but I feared what Chatty experienced, one crash to wipe out all of my work. Keeping multiple files has eliminated the need for printing.

Dianne - You need a wireless router (unless you are close enough to a neighbor who has one and you can pirate their signal.) I have my desktop PC's hooked into the wireless router via cable so it is a more secure connection. My laptops are used as a true wireless connection.

My laptop did not have a wireless card so I bought an external one that pops in like a floppy. It cost $50.00 and was well worth it.

I use my laptop as my main computer. I have a second monitor set up so that I can have 2 screens. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse so that I don't have to worry about typing on the smaller keyboard that the laptop has.

Our house is also wireless, so the laptop can go anywhere. I prefer to work at my desk (I have a rocker for a chair so it's really comfy)

My husband uses a laptop for his main computer as well. He is also wireless and takes it everywhere. I mean... EVERYWHERE. You know how some guys read magazines in the bathroom? Well, my DH takes his computer. Don't ask me how he manages. I've not been brave enough to find out. <GRIN!!>

Vicki, LOL, your husband really takes his laptop into the bathroom?

I have all of my writing saved on a flash stick. That way I can carry it anywhere I go and transfer back and forth between my two computers.

Sherri

I got a new laptop this past Christmas...a wireless one...and I just love it. I'm not as fond of the keyboard though....not like my PC. BUT I do love being able to travel and take my laptop everywhere.
I also am not very computer savvy...still learning.
What's a UPS Stick? Never heard of that. I tried transferring a file of my writing from my PC to my laptop. Is this possible to do? Or am I just not doing something right?
Also....WHAT is the best way to transfer a file from PC to Laptop? When I'm traveling I'd love to have my current manuscript in my laptop also or sitting on my patio, so I could work on it. I know I can do it with a floppy...just wondering if I'm missing something, and there's another way.
Thanks for any assistance.

I guess laptops can be updated? I have one but only want to use it for writing, not interneting (or I won't get any writing done) Any one know what I need to do?
chick

A flash stick is a memory device you can plug into a USB port on both your laptop and your PC,

I have all my writing on one and I jusdt bought another one to put my pictures on.

It shows up on whatevery computer you're using as an external D drive.

Sherri

Hey Sherri....thanks. I'll check out this flash stick. Sounds like what I've been looking for to transfer my writing into my laptop.