The Christmas holiday break is almost upon us (probably already started for some lucky ones!) so now is a good time to address those tasks that you may have been putting off. To get you started, here are twelve ideas for things you could be doing to make your tech new year a little happier.

Get Labelling

Adding electronic gadgets and gizmos can make life easier, until you need to find the charger or power adaptor quickly. Find some labels and  label them clearly up so you can get your hands on them quickly.

Remember to Remember

Calendar and reminder applications are available in electronic mail programs and on the web, Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar are two examples. Get your important dates and events logged into your calendar so you don’t accidentally forget something important next year.

Empty Your Inbox

Who wants to come back after Christmas to an inbox full of unread mail? Ok, so that is likely to happen anyway but you can certainly help by clearing out those unread newsletters, Google alerts and other mails that can quickly fill up your system.

Write A List

Don’t leave your security to chance. If something goes walkies or something worse happens, you might benefit from having a list of important items. Produce a list of equipment (and anything else of value) including make, model, serial number and keep this list safely stored somewhere.

Backup Your Stuff

Got some spare CD’s? Perhaps a memory stick or some online storage available? Make a copy of your important data files and keep them safely stored away. Even better, use an online service so you can access your files on the move if necessary.

Get Maintained

Check your maintenance contracts – are any due to lapse and need renewing? Don’t leave it until its too late – if your equipment fails you don’t want that to be the time you realise you forgot to renew the maintenance contract.

Feed Your Machines

Don’t run out of supplies over Christmas and the new year. Take a look at your ink cartridge or laser toner stocks. Have you got enough paper to handle the influx after Christmas? Check it all out to ensure you have enough to last.

Tidy Up Your Machine

Has your computer been running a little slower lately? Take a few moments to run a scandisk, defrag and uninstall unwanted programs on your computer. Check your temporary folders and ensure your Internet security software is up to date.

Tidy Up Your Data

Have you been meaning to get round to setting up a proper electronic filing mechanism? Have you been saving all of your files in the main folder? Spend some time now and get organised so you can find things a little easier in the new year.

Secure Your Information

Portable storage devices can be easily lost – install that data encryption software so at least no one can gain access to your private information should the unthinkable happen.

Switch IT Off

In the hurry to exit the office for the Christmas break it can be easy to forget to switch your electronic devices off. Take a few minutes to look around you and if a device is not likely to be used see about getting it switched it off. Remember to apply common sense (leave the fax on!) and double check with your colleagues about any devices you may be unsure of.

Scan In

Scan important documents (subject to copyright and usage restrictions – always check the small print to be sure) to make sure you have them in a more usable and more accessible form – you can then keep the masters safely stored away should you ever need to produce them.

That’s it – that’s the lot, unless you have any others – I’d love to hear them.

Have a great Christmas and thank you very much for all your support over the last year.