Kim's Weekly Kolumn

This year, you're going to lose weight, stop smoking, spend more time with the family, make more money, get in touch with your inner self, balance your checkbook, file your taxes on time and get a new job. Today with more people using computers and the Internet than not, you need to keeping adding to that list. You also need to make resolutions that assist you and your personal computer.

Number one on your list has got to be making regular file backups. I'm sure there was some time during the last year when you lost an important file because you hadn't made a backup. You spent hours recreating the file and swore up and down that you'd be better about making backups. But you weren't, were you?

There's really no excuse for not making regular backups. There are all sorts of removable drives on the market -- Zip drives, Jaz drives, HiFD drives, DVD-RAM drives, ORB drives -- in short a removable drive to meet anyone's tastes. What's more, they're all fairly affordable and easy to use. We're talking a couple of hundred dollars for the drive, if that. Add a few bucks for the media and then, drag, drop and your backup's done. Your best bet is to keep your backup cartridge in the drive all the time and schedule the backup to run automatically.

Here's a resolution that applies to some of you out there -- and you know who you are. Do not -- I repeat, do not -- forward a humorous e-mail to everyone in your address book unless said e-mail is hysterically funny. I mean, rolling out of your computer chair funny. No, cute doesn't cut it. Ditto with a little grin. We all enjoy a good laugh every once in awhile. On the other hand, nobody really cares to get 20 lame e-mails from you day in and day out.

For those times when you simply can't resist the temptation to forward, here are a couple of guidelines to follow. First, nobody wants to know what route the haha traveled to make it to his or her inbox. When you forward, delete all the "to" and "from" header garbage cluttering up the top of the message.

We also don't care whom else you forwarded the message to. If you're sending your funny off to more than a couple of people, use your e-mail program's blind carbon copy or BCC feature.

Here's another great resolution for everyone. Let your government representatives know how you feel about Internet taxes. I read a story in the newspaper the other day where some politicians commented that they don't see how they can pay for this or that without taxing the Internet.

That's typical, isn't it? Spot a new way to raise taxes and it doesn't matter how unfair or nonsensical the tax is. Just make a new law and cream us for even more money. What if there was no Internet? These politicians would figure out a way to get by somehow, wouldn't they? Stand up and just say no to new Internet taxes. If you're not sure how to contact your representative, check out the Directory area at Politics.com (www.politics.com/directory/directory_frame.htm).

OK, I'm done with my little rant now. Let's get back to you and your personal computer.

No matter how recently you purchased your computer and how much you spent on it, there's always some upgrade out there that will make it even better. Perhaps you've resolved to upgrade your personal computer for the New Year. The question always is: Which upgrade makes the most sense?

Ultimately, the answer depends on where you stand now. Here are a few of the things I think every well-equipped computer should include.

First off, I recommend at least 128 MB of RAM. A couple of years ago, that would've seemed outrageous. However, if you don't need that much RAM today, you'll almost definitely need it tomorrow.

A fast CD-ROM drive can really go a long way to making your computing experience more enjoyable. If you've been muddling by with anything from a 2X to a 12X CD-ROM drive, now's the time to move up. But since you're already spending the money, don't just settle for another CD-ROM drive.

Make the jump to DVD-ROM. You can expect more and more software to start shipping on DVD. Plus, with the addition of the right software, you can view DVD movies on your computer screen. Cool stuff.

Even if you never download a single MP3 from the Internet, I suggest that you at least explore the technology. Why? Because using MP3, you can convert songs on your own music CDs into MP3 format. Your computer can give you a lot more flexibility and a lot more playback flexibility than just about any CD player on the market.

Add in a package like X-10's MP3 Anywhere and you can broadcast your music back to your stereo. Throw in a CD-R drive and a software package like Adaptec's Easy CD Creator and you can make custom music CDs from your MP3 library. The point is, there's a lot more to MP3 than uploads and downloads.

Don't have a scanner yet? How cheap do they have to get? The computer retailers are practically giving them away. Just go get yourself a scanner.

Here's one final thought. Just as over-eaters need to learn when to push away from the table, computer wannabes and geeks need to learn when to push away from the computer desk. There's a whole world beyond computers -- family, friends, athletics, travel, sunshine -- just waiting for you.

I've found that balance is one of the most important things in life. As much as I'm thrilled that you like computers and the Internet, be sure to add one more resolution to your list. That is, I will spend more time away from my computer than I do using my computer.

Kim Komando is a national talkshow host, syndicated columnist, computer editor and best-selling author. Her works have appeared in such publications as USA TODAY, the Los Angeles Times and Popular Mechanics. In cyberspace, she can be found at www.komando.com

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