Your weekly reminder to back up your data, update software and otherwise pay attention to your digital environment. (Oh, and to head to the CRASH Space meeting…)

Zone 4 this week. “Leave it Better,” focusing on making sure your own projects are in order. On that note, now’s the time to mention that this will be the last Tuesday Sweep post of the year! All the websites will start posting their 2018 retrospectives soon, and it’s time to take stock about what has worked and what hasn’t in these sweeps. Maybe 2019 will have an actual editorial schedule? Wouldn’t that be a hoot.

Don’t know what you’ll do during the break? Why not Automate the boring stuff with Python?

Jump in Here

  • Welcome. If you haven’t been following along, it’s okay. You’re not behind, you’re just where you are.
  • Need a instant pick me up? Jump straight to our Easy Wins.
  • There are more recommendations under Start Here.
  • Feeling more ambitious? Just wait for the Learn section!

Sweep

Weekly Basics

  • Check that backup systems are actually running. (more)
  • Update main computer(s), phone(s) and tablet(s). (more)
  • Wipe down your main devices, physically! (more)
  • Clean out and reset wallet/purse/laptop bag/vehicle. (more)
  • Spend some time adding passwords to your password manager and updating flagged passwords. (more)
  • What neglected inbox will you check today? (more)

This Week’s Focus: Leave it Better

  • Survey your domain. Patch ‘em up or shut ‘em down. Better off than a bot. (more)
  • Spend some time today learning your industry’s best practices. (more)
  • If you found a security problem in one of your projects, tell people. Don’t be embarrassed. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how they get fixed that matter. (more)
  • Maintain and clearly communicate healthy boundaries. Don’t allow poison at your pot luck. (more)
  • If you’ve found a security flaw in someone else’s project, speak up safely. (more)
  • If you’ve found a security flaw speak up KINDLY and with attention to detail. Community, it can be the best thing and the worst thing. Which one it is, is up to us. (more)

Learn

News and Updates

Where do you scan for news, include a politics update!

Engage

We are a community. You are a welcome part of it.

Relax

In honor of the successful landing of the safe arrival on Mars of NASA’s InSight Lander

  • Watch We Are NASA to get your feel-good going
  • Watch the entire InSight playlist to be super impressed by this amazing effort, spanning decades, by dedicated, persevering humans working together.