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I put all data that needs backup on my laptop in a few chosen ‘data directories’ and subdirectories. I try to avoid the suggested directories for data when installing programs, like for example ‘Documents and Settings’. I also try as much as possible to put configuration files in the data directories. If possible, I put all of the project parts of development environments (like Eclipse workspace and Visual Studio solutions) in the data directory.

We are often diligent to take backups of the source code in projects, but neglect the configuration files, test data and logs on our development computers, especially if we are consultants on the move. As an excuse we say that the environment or really the environments could be recreated. Yes, but it takes time (days if you are an involved person!) and time is money.

I believe that all artifacts that are created during a project, like short examples, tests, personal logs, scratch editions of code are valuable and should be kept. Add a few descriptive sentences that will help you remember later on. We have invested time in creating them and they will help us to remember and get up to speed when we dive into the project again. If you are involved in several projects at the same time, you have to have a well organized structure of your development environments, so that you can switch between them without having to hassle with all of those xml configuration files.

For each project I have an informal and personal log with design decisions, lessons learned, bugs and their solutions, fragments of code, resource links etc. Solutions found should be treated like treasure. Our skill as experienced consultants depends on remembering or associating to the right thing at the right time. If we are smart, we try to maximize this.

Of course you have to take backup of your laptop. If you organize the environments you don’t have to do a complete backup of the whole disc. I have found it useful to do backup to a separate USB external disc or RW DVD’s, if I don’t have a server handy. The software I use is NTI Backup Now. I use a couple of different DVD sets and rotate them as you usually do.

Do backup of your laptop often. Start an incremental backup when you get back home. If it is arranged properly it will not take long to start. When disaster is there, you can be up and running in a short time.

We need to find and practice habits that with a minimum of time and energy, give the most in return.