the end of each day, all you have to do is take the disk marked for that day and copy your data onto it. For specific backup in- structions, refer to the user’s guide for your system.

If you’re still unconvinced, just remember Murphy’s Law: If anything can go wrong, it will. There are all sorts of ways to lose important data. Lightning might hit the power line, causing a power surge that makes the computer write random information all over the diskette. Your children might decide to play disk jockey. You might spill coffee on a diskette or even (heaven forbid!) drop a hot ash on the disk surface, causing it to melt. The only way to protect yourself is to have backups. Get in the habit of making backups right away.

Don’t Touch those Diskettes!

No, we don’t mean you have to wear gloves. Just make sure you don’t touch the magnetic surface of the diskette-the areas that show through the holes of the disk package. The oils on your fingers can play havoc with the data.

Handle disks only by their protective jackets, keep them in their protective envelopes when they’re not in use, and store them in protective cases or other dustproof containers.

Just like phonograph records, diskettes hate dirt, dust, fingerprints, grime, or spilled coffee. On records, these things are a nuisance, but on diskettes they can spell disaster. Once again, make backups!

Don’t Force the Merchandise

Diskettes are flexible, but that doesn’t mean that you can bend, fold, spindle, or mutilate them. Any physical abuse can damage the magnetic coating, and there goes your data.

Another important point: never force a diskette into the drive. If it won’t slide in easily, something’s wrong. There may be a diskette already in the slot, and you could end up damaging both of them.

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