Bill Hopkins is the Webmaster of PhotoSourceFolio* (www.photosourcefolio.com) and a regular contributor to PhotoStockNotes. Send comments via Email to wh@photosourcefolio.com. Fax: 1 818 831-0916. Or US Mail: PhotoStockNotes. (*Display 6 of your images on our Web site!) For on-line marketing questions, contact him on the Cracker Barrel at www.photosource.com/board

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember that maxim? Recently, a couple of high-profile Internet Service Providers who offer free e-mail to consumers in a "co-marketing" arrangement were left hanging when 1stUp.com and Spinway suddenly exited the market. If you were among those who obtained free e-mails from companies using their services (and there are many, such as Lycos, thesimpsons.com, x-files.com, etc.), you probably already know about it. This just helps prove the rule, "You get what you pay for." Sure, Hotmail, Yahoo mail, and MSN are great, portable, and popular webmail, and I don’t think they will disappear anytime soon, but it is a wakeup call to not jump at the first free e-mail offer you find.

In the book, The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People by David Niven, Ph.D., secret #41 reveals that life satisfaction is increased in people who use computers. Computers can help bring people together with the use of e-mail, and help those who are relocating to learn about their new homes and stay in touch with friends they are leaving behind. And, of course, if you shop online and you relocate, you can still shop at the same familiar stores wherever you go. Yup, computers can contribute to happiness. Please remember that, the next time your computer crashes before you've saved your work.... (http://www.photosourcefolio.com/bookstore.htm#0062516507)

When did you last back up your system? Or at least the really important files? I see. Did you try, as a test, restoring a file you backed up a couple of months ago, just to see if you can do it, and if it’s really there? Uh, huh. Backing up is something most folks don’t think about, until it’s too late. How about you? Oh, and do you have an off-site location where you keep recent backups, in case of theft, fire, or other damage at your principal place of business, or your home? Remember, if you share space with others, such as an office building, or sublease studio or office space, even if you think your space is well-protected, how about your neighbors'? And while you’re lying awake at night, trying to get to sleep, think about when the last time was you updated your anti-virus program and virus definitions. Have a nice night.