The Big 6 for having a well running computer

1) Updates - The maker of your machine and operating system should have some type of update facility. The more automatic and user friendly the update process is the better. If it is easy to do the more apt we lazy humans are to do it. Microsoft Windows provides a fairly friendly update system and they are usually quick on the critical updates to clamp down on any bad critters running free in the wild. I have an HP laptop at home and have found their driver update process to be just as friendly and reliable as Microsoft’s. Not necessarily advocating Microsoft and Hewlett Packard, but I am suggesting this is the type of ease of use and reliability you should be looking for.

2) Virus scan - How some people think they can get by without this basic software package is beyond me. You WILL get infected and you might turn around and then infect everyone on your email list. It seems they all have their strengths and weaknesses. McAfee produces a good virus control system that rates high in tests year after year. I use it myself and it can be set up to automatically update which is important when a new virus hits the wild and McAfee responds quickly with new updates. It's ease of use also makes it one of the best out there.

Well, the ones above used to be enough, but not nowadays, read on for the next must have gadgets in your tool belt.

3) Spyware/Adware checker - Got to have it, without it, just like on viruses, your machine will grind to a halt eventually. Worse your machine could be enlisted in a massive email campaign without your knowledge, your surfing habits surreptitiously examined and studied by internet advertisers and demographic compilers. Spysweeper is a great product, I have used it myself and it continues to get rave reviews from professionals and consumers alike.

4) Registry cleaner - while not absolute, this piece of software will help clean up your machine and keep it running in top condition. As we install and uninstall software remnants are left out in the registry, the heart of the windows operating system. Many of these programs, like a small child, do not clean up after themselves very well. Some products do, many don't. What happens is you wind up with invalid pointers and the like bloating your registry.

5) Broadband - Lets face it, with all these updates and downloads you have got to get a faster way to get this stuff down to your machine. I can't imagine how people on dialup could manage to keep their computers up to date; you would practically have to have it on all the time downloading something.

6) Firewall - While normally the firewall that comes included with Windows XP is sufficient if you are running a small network or have very sensitive or personal information on your hard drive, you may want to step it up a notch and get a dedicated application that enables you to control all access to and from you computer.

Just like going to the doctor or dentist to keep ourselves in shape we need to take a little time and sometimes spend a little money to keep our metallic friend in good working order. While not critical to your system, a little education can go a long way too. Just a basic book on Windows XP will help you understand your system better, increasing your enjoyment of it that much more. It is hard to beat Amazon on the selection of books and their prices. Buy one, study up, impress your friends.