5 tech housekeeping things to do during your holidays

All of us invariably have a word “clean up” in our “to do” list for the holidays but usually it somehow is limited to just the physical sphere! In today’s time, getting organized on the virtual world is as important if not more as the physical world. Now that you have a few holidays coming up, here are some useful tips which, I believe can ease up the seemingly herculean ordeal.

1. Backup your devices

Data is precious! Ask anyone who has actually gone through a recent disk crash and you will hear real life horror stories. When it comes to our home computer and mobile device backup, do anyone of us actually have a backup strategy to minimize the damage? 

Holidays are a good time to make sure the backups are updated and stored safely, or as in some cases create backups in the first place. 

First step, sort the data and narrow on the most important and keep-worthy. It could range from pictures, documents, music to the software, we bought. Involving spouse and kids at this step in making sure they identify the backup folders. However, remember; backup is only required for the important data that you believe of be of some value or are not easily retrievable. A plethora of backup devices are available today both online as well as offline. You can zero down on a device which suits your requirement. There is always an easy and workable backup option which is “just right” for each one of us! 

The approach that worked for me is to have a minimum of three copies of data:

1. Using a connected storage drive
2. On the cloud using OneDrive, Google Drive etc.
3. Offline remote drive

So, the data from my home computers and devices gets backed up periodically to the large removable hard drive, then gets synced to the cloud almost instantly. I take that drive to my offline storage location which is in another city that I visit multiple times in a year. (You could think of keeping it at your parents home too) So, there is a local backup, another one on the cloud allowing me to access from anywhere and a bit older back up as a remote disconnected copy to deal with disasters.

So, go ahead come up with your backup plan and feel happy that you did something useful during these holidays. 

2. Update your Resume

"The best time to update your resume is while you are employed" Stacey Francisco Sykes

Even today, most people consider updating their resume as a step to be taken just before applying for a new job. In today's connected world, the resume is far more than a few sheets of paper or a document. It is alive and online on your LinkedIn profile, through your Facebook and twitter posts and read often by your future employers. So, updating the resume with your current accomplishments is an unwritten law. The best time to do this task, of course would be during the holidays when you are relatively relaxed. We could think about updating the LinkedIn profile, updating the achievements or may be as simple as putting up a new right profile picture.

3. Review your social network contacts

Time to have a look at your online friend list! While it's great to have hundreds of friends online and build your 'network’, it's equally important to have it aligned to the person you really are 'right now'. 

How many of these friends are in touch over the past one year? Do you care when they post something or want them to see your posts? Many of the social networking sites offer tools to organize your 'Friends' and move them to categories like Close friends, Family, Acquaintances etc. Organizing them will also make sure that your posts are reaching the right people and only to the right people! Be very watchful when you post something in public, it may be accessible to one of your future employers or family members after many years too. So here is the news! “Data does not die and one cannot simple wipe them.”

4. Check your Phone and Internet bill Plans

Data plans are becoming cheaper and speeds are increasing every day. So, this may be the right time to go online and compare your plan to see if you are getting a good deal. Use any of the comparison tools, read reviews, gather enough information and then simply call them up. You may be in for a surprise and end up with a better and cheaper plan and a happier bank balance!

5. Clean-up your non-work emails

On average people have 2-3 non-work email IDs. Leading free email providers like Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo give us 15-1000 GB of data making sure that you don’t need to delete any email at all. But, have a look at your inbox. The important emails like bills due, statements from banks and insurance sometimes get pushed down from your view in the barrage of emails that hits you every day.

This may be a good time to spend an hour to unsubscribe from some of those promotional email lists and mark few of them as spam. Just like your work email Inbox, have them organized, set some automatic rules and cleanup ruthlessly. I would recommend Zenhabits, as one of the best guides on clearing out your inbox for some simple and effective steps.

Wishing you a happy and productive holiday season !!