This week’s tech tip is a simple PDF checklist we’ve been using at Creativetechs for several years now. The next time you have someone work on your computer, print out this checklist and keep it handy. Before you let your tech leave, go through this with them to make sure everything important is still working properly.

Mac OS X Post Tune-Up Checklist (PDF)

We developed this checklist years ago to help ourselves avoid missing important details while working on our clients computers. Based on the positive feedback from last month’s Mac Maintenance Checklist, we’ve decided that the last week of each month we’ll feature a form, checklist, or other tool that designers can use to get the most out of their existing computer tech support.

Last month one of our clients, a prominent Seattle photographer, lost her laptop while flying home from an assignment. Her dilemma reminded us of a few software packages we’ve heard of that attempt to help reunite stolen computers with their rightful owner.

How theft recovery software works.

When a stolen computer is connected to the Internet (using dial-up, WiFi, Ethernet, etc), these utilities attempt to send network information back to a central server. This information can be used to track down which ISP is used for Internet access, and helps law enforcement track down the stolen devices.