Systems

Backups need a restore test

A backup is useful when it can be restored. Keep an independent copy, document the restore steps, and occasionally recover a small sample into a separate folder. Check the contents before relying on the result.

Working habits

Write down the defaults

Before changing a working system, record its current settings and the reason for the change. Small, reversible steps make it easier to understand what helped and to recover when a change has unexpected effects.

Tools

Simple checks, repeated well

Choose a few useful signals: availability, response time, free disk space and the age of the last successful backup. A short checklist used regularly is often more helpful than a complicated dashboard that is rarely opened.