1) AV is only needed when there's a problem and then it's best to get a fresh copy that is less likely to be affected by malware.
2) There's nothing wrong with the systems themselves - it's the fact that you have zero control over the data (even if it is encrypted the procedures for keeping it properly backed up may not be followed) and there's always the risk of the service shutting down without notice.
3) Privacy is the issue with guest accounts for me. That and what they may do which could land me in trouble because it's my IP
4) I've found system restore doesn't fix most issues - it's great for preserving your settings but often doesn't fix the underlying problem.

One problem with iosafe style devices: they may technically be "fire proof" but they are not immune to the laws of physics. When the external temperature rises that heat will transfer inside. If the fire gets hot enough at the location of the device it will corrupt the data on it or melt components required to interface like the cheap plastic in the head of a USB key.

I should expand on this:

Lazy way: Buy a single USB Key to backup essential data - attach it to your key chain so that as long as you are safe it should be too (not recommended for those who lose their keys a lot)

Slightly less lazy way: Encrypt said data and have 2 USB keys with the same data, store them in different places/ways.

Serious way: Buy a security deposit box and 2 hardware encrypted USB keys. Store 1 in the box and use the 2nd as your "active backup" - switch them out every 30 days or so so the most you stand to lose is 30 days worth of data.

Hardcore way: Hardcopy everything and store offsite.

USB key can be substituted for a proper external harddrive if data storage levels require it but I don't recommend trying to put the harddrive on your key chain.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313349

Hate to break it to you but in most rural cases a surge protector won't do much. Lightning strikes your stuff is getting fried protector or not.

Besides, wall plug versions aren't what you want - you want one before it gets into your internal wiring. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34r6RGF2JLA

Seriously, why is this on Slashdot - it's something that belongs on cnet.

(1) If you don't want to pay for an anti-virus program, at least install a free one.
  - No, don't use any local anti-virus as it chews up more system resources than a lot of actual viruses do - use something like Panda Active Scan.

(2) Save files to a folder that is automatically mirrored to the cloud, for effortless backups.
  - No, never trust cloud services for backups. Never trust cloud services period the only reason to use them is convenience

(3) Create a non-administrator guest account, in case a friend needs to borrow the computer.
  - No, if a friend needs to use your computer then you need to monitor their use at all times, otherwise, hand them a tablet.

(4) Be aware of your computer's System Restore option as a way of fixing mysterious problems that arose recently."
  - "mysterious problems"... riiiiiight. Since this is referring to system restore and new laptops they likely mean Windows machines which means Windows 8 in which case you want to use System Refresh before you ever want to try System Restore.

It may not be pretty but the older stuff is often where the solid information is - a lot of the new stuff is noise with little long term value.

All I know is I want to leave Google as soon as possible. Bing is not an alternative and no other players seem to have the ability to compete. It's getting harder and harder to find stuff with Google search, it makes way way too many assumptions about my searches. Terms with multiple meanings are all but useless if you're not looking for the "popular" term. Image search got a lot better, then they forced people into conservative by default search. Commercial/"pretty" sites seem to have been pushed to the top instead of ones with solid information. Gmail they screwed the interface up in a big way and then added moronic features like "recent images" [faceplam]. Add to their backwards momentum on search they've been sacrificing goodwill on just about every property they have trying to push people into other crap like Google+.

Android? Forced apps like Facebook which drain the battery, lack of what I wanted from Android: openness. I don't want to have to choose between rooting my phone and keeping the warranty with my carrier.

I honestly can't think of a single Google product that I want to use or recommend to someone else - the only reason I stick with them is because there's no better alternative yet.

Innocent we are not, but we do still respect the rule of law. The courts are also somewhat vindictive when they are screwed around with - I'd expect the bar just got raised for any future warrants CSIS wants.

I had a very similar situation. The anxiety link is actually related to the lack of filtering going on in the brain. Ever find you overshare or have a hard time keeping secrets or just blurt something out at work without thinking about the consequences? Same happens with incoming stresses - the brain can't filter out the stresses of day to day life so the simple things most people dismiss or overcome tend to be in your face anxiety instead. Depression is very common, as is ODD (again, likely due to lack of filters, but often due to an associated hyper-morality or rigid thinking)

Mod this up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCAGc-rkIfo

My comment is based on Russell Barkley's research. There is currently no clinical diagnosis using an MRI.

ADHD is very real and can be easily diagnosed with a brain scan but that's too expensive to actually do (thought patterns are radically different from the norm).

There are two main types, ADHD-Hyperactive which is when the middle strip of the brain grows faster than the rest. This is the excitement centre of the brain. There are various theories from lead to gut bacteria as the cause but in the end, most people can/do grow out of the serious effects of it because the rest of their brain eventually catches up. The second type is ADHD-Inattentive (aka ADD). This is genetic and is a serious condition. Far far fewer are diagnosed with this version (3 in 10 diagnosed) In addition to structural differences in the brain it prevents the executive centre of the brain from properly communicating with the with the memory centre (among other things). This may not seem like such a big deal until you consider our society: The executive centre of the brain controls task/time management which includes everything from getting dressed in the morning to getting work done so you can keep the job that supports you. Active memory recall? All but gone. People with this disorder can remember things, just usually not when they want to let alone need to. All that schooling is in there, just not accessible on a test or in the workplace without reminders to jump-start the process of remembering.

Stimulants help like you wouldn't believe. They don't cure because there is far too little known and because there's a genetic component it's very difficult to "cure". When I forget to take my pill/run out - people notice right away. They'll ask me if I'm hungover or if I need to go to the hospital. Part of that is the stim withdrawal, part is just the norm for ADHD-I. The reason the profits have soared is not just because of diagnosis rates it's because a patent was granted for Concerta, a time release version of Ritalin. At up to $4/pill it was crazy expensive but the alternative was having to take 3-4 pills a day with Ritalin... a task which isn't "easy" to accomplish for ADHD-I types.

I'll grant you that there are millions more diagnosed than probably need to be but that just makes it harder for those who are legitimately diagnosed.

Nothing to do with PC, it has to do with the fact that I'd want to teach my daughter how to solve problems through coding not how to sell her body. She wants to dress provocatively for her enjoyment, that's all on her, but I'd make damn sure she could use her mind to earn money. If anything I'd want her to redefine booth babe as the hot developer making the big bucks.

And even when you do, you can't get a job because everyone wants a rockstar developer who can do it all when in reality it'd take a team of 6 specialists to do what they expect 1 person to be able to know/execute perfectly and quickly.