Tech Support Pits:

From Chris===
Dear Webby
There has been all kinds of weird and wacky advice on
how to prepare for the hurricane that will hit here shortly.
What do YOU suggest?
Chris

Dear Chris
1) If you don't have one, get an external USB hard drive
and put all your important stuff on it, including the compressed
downloads for your software. 

2) Put all your software CD's and other important CD's into
an unsinkable fishing tackle box or small cooler with a latchng 
lid. Also put a flashlight in there.

3) Rent or borrow a laptop for a few days, or lease one 
from Dell for $24 a month. Or buy a Dell Inspiron laptop
for $700.

4) Get a car or truck battery and an automotive battery 
charger and a cheap automotive 12 Volt to 110 Volt AC c
onverter.
NOTE: The most popular is the StatPower 650. It is cheap in
automotive accessory stores, more expensive in electronics
stores, even more expensive in computer stores, and totally
outrageous in aircraft accessories stores. 

5) Get a waterproof fluorescent 12 volt mechanics light. 
They float, use very little battery power, and provide 
surprisingly decent light. 

Put the battery, charger and converter, and light into a lockable 
or at lest latchable 10 or 15 gallon camping cooler. Put some d
ry clothes into plastic bags and stuff them in there to keep the 
pieces from shifting. 

Also put a flashlight in there. You may have to go to the 
washroom.

The reason for using such a large cooler is that a truck battery 
or car batteries are heavy. A larger cooler will float a lot higher
in spite of the weight.

A fully charged pick-up truck battery will power a laptop for
more than a week.

Preparations like that are not just in case the water level 
rises to your desktop. The same set-up will also work fine 
if you decide to put pontoons under your desk and raft down 
the Mississippi next spring. Don't forget your satellite modem!

Have FUN!
DearWebby