Backup! Backup! Backup!

 One day a week, I do a mandatory backup of my files. The best way to save your files is a 3-2-1 backup system at least. Basically, you want it backed up in 2 separate places such as USB drives or microSD cards. I keep one in a fireproof box. 

Also keep the very important files zipped and stored off site. The site I recommend for that is ProtonDrive. Proton was created by CERN scientists with a focus on privacy. It is encrypted. Just make sure to use a unique, long password for your ProtonDrive. Consider zipping your files with an encrypted password if you like.

So again 3-2-1

2 USB/microSD/etc backup of your files.

1 offsite

Make it a habit. It doesn’t take very long. Backup! Backup! Backup!

Writing Tools: Laptop

What should you be looking for in a laptop for writing? First of all, get a bluetooth keyboard. I recommend a few in this article. Don’t forget a portable mouse and mouse pad as well.

Presently speaking, technology of the intel atom processor and low gigs of ram are alright when it comes to a laptop that you won’t be using for anything other than writing. Note that you may have to switch a streaming laptop from Windows S mode if you need to use programs like Scrivener. 

At the moment, I would be wary of stats of the hard drive only because some are so small you can’t even update Windows. Go for the 64 gig hd, over a 32, and make sure it has a microSD slot so you can expand its memory as well. I would not go under 4 gigs of ram if that is even an option these days.

Personally speaking, an 11.6” HP stream that I have works well. I was afraid the screen may be too small to edit scenes side by side in Scrivener 3, but it works fine.

Make your computer go a bit faster:

Disable Superfetch

Disable Windows Search

Do not install anything you do not need and certainly don’t have anything running that you don’t need. The resources may be acceptable these days, they are still low end.
Make sure you know what is starting up (from task manager) and disable anything not critical.

If you plan to use Scrivener, I would get a Windows based laptop, and not a Chromebook. If you need a free word processor, I would use LibreOffice. The cloud is fickle, and other people can more easily access your information.

Writing Tools: Bluetooth Keyboard

Just like investing in a quality pen if you are writing by hand for a long time, investing in a quality portable bluetooth keyboard is worth adding to your routine.

Portability, the ability to hook up to not only your bluetooth enabled desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone. As of this writing, September 3rd 2022, the best two bluetooth keyboards for writing are Apple’s TenKeyLess Magic Keyboard, and Logitech’s MX Keys Mini.

The price point of both recommended keyboards are 99 dollars. 

Here are the pluses and minuses of both keyboards:

Apple Magic Keyboard

+ It has an aluminum frame.

- At least for me, it has the Apple keys

Logitech MX Keys Mini Wireless

+ Can easily switch between multiple bluetooth devices

- Has a hard plastic frame

+ Backlit keys for writing in the dark

Make sure you get the TKL version of the Apple Magic Keyboard for portability. 

Personally, I like Apple’s keyboards, and the aluminum frame compared to the solid plastic frame of the MX Keys Mini is why I went with the Magic Keyboard. However, the competition was close. The ability to easily switch between several devices is a highlight. I don’t look at keys when I’m typing, so the backlit keys of the MX Keys Mini didn’t really add anything for me. Also note that the Apple Magic Keyboard can easily be used with Windows PC, as well as Android. I haven’t tested a Chromebook, but I would be surprised if it didn’t work. 

Please note if you use Scrivener and want to sync and edit on your Android phone there is a free app called Office: Textmaker it has the ability to edit RTF files. 

In the end, if you can get to a store that has a demo, you can type on the keyboard and decide which one feels right for you.