1) Don’t ever try to save your files in My Documents, if you really want to save the files there, do enable advanced file sharing so that in case your windows failed and u need to move your hdd to other system, you can still extract the files there. I’m just giving basic information here. For more info do let me know so that i can post a precise method. Anyway. to prevent unwanted problems, just do not save your files in My Documents.

2) I personally do not recommend backing up using CD because the burning process wastes a lot of time and electricity. Instead, if you have a portable hard disk or pendrive, just backup using these small and easy to carry objects.

3) I personally favour Gmail for it provide me handy office document tools online. You can find almost anything essential that you need by just logging into your Gmail account. Therefore i always upload my files into my email. It’s safe and fast and easy and furthermore it can be accessed virtually anywhere. If you have multiple mail accounts, do backup your files in all those accounts. This is by far the safest method for the odds for all mail servers to crash at the same time is 0%.

4) This is about management of files. Always split your writings into subcomponents which can be easily modified yet causing no harm to the entire progress of report writing. I would recommend splitting up the documents into chapters for thesis writing. Organize the your documents into 3 categories, text, audio and graphics. You will have little trouble editing your files since the items are separated thus you do not have to wait for a long loading time of the file.

Well, hopefully i could contribute something here. =)

Merv: That was because you didn’t have a choice. Fortunately, you do now :)