Q. Is it really safe to use Google Docs for sensitive documents, or is it better to stick to Microsoft Office on my own computer? - Jill

Ken Colburn, Data Doctors

Ken Colburn, Data Doctors

Ken Colburn, Data Doctors

For quite some time I have been touting the benefits of having a portable backup sitting on your computer desk to securely hold your irreplaceable pictures, files and other items near and dear to your heart. Having this device at the ready allowed you to sleep well and fend off nightmares of the inevitable when you go to check your email one day and there is no sign of life coming from your computer. At this defining moment in your life, you are overjoyed that you listened to sage advice and bought a portable backup device, but consider this conversation I recently had with a new client. She told me she had backed everything up on jump drives and a portable hard drive. “I always thought two backups were better than one but thieves broke in the back door and stole not only my computer but also both my jump drives and my portable backup. Now I have lost all of my pictures.” What a sad tale. I recommended she use Carbonite or Mozy as an online backup solution.

As you watch Pixar’s new computer-animated feature, “Cars,” boredom sets in. You can’t shake the feeling that you’ve seen it all before. As in “Toy Story” (1995), “A Bug’s Life” (1998), “Monsters, Inc.” (2001) and “Finding Nemo” (2003), “Cars” takes place in a world where nonhuman entities live like people.

The announcement this week that Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne is under criminal investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for reportedly “illegally collaborating with his campaign committee to raise campaign funds, promising a job to the leader of that committee and helping funnel money, an estimated half-million dollars, from his brother-in-law to the committee” is just the latest in a series of questionable acts involving Horne.

Q: I use Microsoft Security Essentials as my “seatbelt” for protection, plus I am as careful as possible. Is this enough or should I get Trend Micro. Not both, right? — Jonathan

Setting bold new standards for digital searches, a federal appeals court ruled Friday that customs agents need "reasonable suspicion'' a crime has occurred before delving into the hidden files on someone's computer.

ATLANTA (AP) — Two new computers running Google's Chrome operating system are looking to lure people to a browser-based environment. Both target light-duty computer users who don't need the full range of capabilities that traditional Windows and Mac computers provide.

This week's advice column is a compilation of some of our favorite tips from 2010:

Tom Friddle has been doing battle with monsoonseason storms for 32 years. His job of helping keep power running in the Valley for Arizona Public Service Co. customers becomes an exasperating struggle against the elements from mid- July through mid-September each summer.

Tom Friddle has been doing battle with monsoonseason storms for 32 years.

Q: I would like to print from my Gmail account on my iPhone or iPad to my printer, but it doesn’t come up in Apple’s print option on either (device). Any suggestions? — Daryl

The Phoenix Symphony Board of Directors and its Association announced that business leader, Jim Ward will serve as interim President and CEO of the Phoenix Symphony effective Jan. 4.

The Phoenix Symphony Board of Directors and its Association announced that business leader, Jim Ward will serve as interim President and CEO of the Phoenix Symphony effective Jan. 4.

Q: What exactly is a "netbook" and how is it different from a laptop computer? - Michael

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Stymied once this week because of clouds, NASA is skipping a Friday launch attempt for space shuttle Discovery because of a dismal forecast and is looking toward the weekend.

The weather forecast is calling for the first significant rain since the monsoon’s end.

Q: I'm looking to buy a laptop for school. Can you give me suggestions on the best laptops under $600? -- Brian

Few laptops have received as much attention as Apple's MacBook Air. This 3-pound beauty measures just 3/4-inch thick. The only thing that isn't svelte about this ultraportable laptop is the price tag.

I’ve got an old computer that has Office 2003 on it that I am about to replace. Should I get Office 2007 or Office 2010 if I am going to upgrade? — Kyle