Computer fresh start, lost my hard drive Options

[Epic]

my laptop harddrive failed, but i got it replaced already.

so its a fresh start, any suggestions for software to install? i've got the usuals, just thought i'd take stock of what's useful these days

[impala454]

Just get a decent name brand USB hard drive, and plug it in .

They all usually have backup software provided, but I would recommend just storing all of your important items on there yourself. I have a documents folder and a pictures folder on my network drive and edit/create new items straight off the drive.

A couple examples:
-If I take some new pictures, I copy the raw files directly off the camera onto the backup drive, then copy them from there to the comp to do whatever editing I need to do.
-I have an inventory spreadsheet to keep track of serial numbers of anything expensive I have (for insurance purposes), and I keep that on the backup drive, and only edit it from there.

The biggest problem with people using backup drives, is they don't ever back up their stuff to the drive . So just use the files from the drive and you're always backed up.