I thought that I might make a comment about Michael Lamb's suggestion about insurance. Yes, get insurance. This is very important, but when you buy insurance make sure of the limits on the policy. A typical limit might be $3,000 for all of your computer equipment, including business and hobby equipment. Another limit could be on software and that may be for example $2,000. These limits may also be only for at home, and not cover the laptop that you may take with you on business. All of these limits depend on the company you are with, check it out. In a lot of cases the limits may apply only for theft or mysterious dissapearance, fire lightning explosion etc. may not have a limit.What is a limit? Something the insurance company places in the insurance contract to limit the amount of loss due to a specific or special occurance. You may feal really secure only to find you have no coverage at all for your equipment.
Lightning is not the only peril that is out there. Theft is a very popular claim, and many times denied because the insured did not talk to the insurance agent to find out what they bought or are covered for. Pay the extra if needed.
Never assume you are ok, the real shock is to find out the $12,000 worth of computer equipment you owned will only net you $3,000 on a theft claim.
I hope this will make some people contact their insurance agents, or get insurance. A small annual fee will save you thousands of grief dollars later. [David Black]