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New Year Tech Resolutions
Thu, 01/03/2008 - 1:11pm — Megan Keane
Backup that data!: I am guilty of this one more often than I like to admit. Whether it's backing up personal information like the contacts from your cell phone or larger organizational data, don't let a computer crash or other loss of data be the impetus for getting better at backing up your data. Start today by making sure backups are a customary part of your routine. You can check out TechSoup's best practices for data backup for guidance. Make sure you set up some kind of regular reminder for yourself to conduct backups or look into setting up automatic online backups.
Do Your Reading: There's no shortage of tech information out there from books to articles to blogs to online forums. Take the time to do some reading on a subject you'd like to learn more about, research a new tool, or arm yourself with a TechSoup toolkit to brush up on a technology topic. Other people are also a wonderful resource for ideas and suggestions on resources worth reading. Check out recommendations on services like Digg or Technorati or see what others in the TechSoup community are reading.
Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: As much as I want to learn new things, it's very easy to just not find the time to try out a new application or learn a program. I know for me it can be frustrating and challenging when I'm still in the early learning phases trying to figure out how something works and the inevitable errors and troubleshooting that go along with it. This resolution requires some patience and a little creative planning. Set aside a block of time early in the day or when you're most fresh or schedule a time that's less busy or prone to interruptions to work on a new skill.
Ask For Feedback: We've all been new at some topic or skill at some point and sometimes the best tips can be found from people who've been there! Don't be shy about asking a technology question in the TechSoup forums, whether it's getting feedback on a new Website or setting up a new network. Sometimes stopping to get advice can save you a lot of time--and help you solve a problem and improve how you get things done. Once I get over my initial hesitancy, worrying that I might sound uniformed or silly, I'm almost always surprised at the help I receive if I'm just willing to ask.
Share the Wealth: When you do learn a new skill or find a new technique or tool that works for you, let others know about it. Tell others your favorite Firefox tips, your can't-live-without applications, or your real-time volunteer networking tools. You can take advantage of tools like del.icio.us and StumbleUpon to tag, recommend and pass on information. Sharing your expertise can help fellow nonprofits--and in turn allow others to more effectively do the important work toward social change.
'Tis the season for New Year's resolutions. And along with those resolutions to floss regularly and get more exercise, it's a good time to set forth some technology intentions for the new year.
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