By JAMES DERK, Scripps Howard News Service

For a while I was the coolest nerd on the block last week because I had a review unit of Verizon's "Droid" phone on my desk before the official release date.

This prompted lots of visits from long-lost friends and plenty of Star Wars jokes ("This IS the droid I was looking for...") but finally after the flock left I was left with a few days to poke around on the phone myself.

I have received a boatload of questions recently about online backup solutions, I believe in the wake of a huge ad campaign by one of the major providers of this service.

Before we wade in, we need to lay the foundation.

There are really three ways to back up your computer.

With the launch of the new Windows, it is time to answer some reader mail.

Q. Is there a great and easy way to back up my iTunes music? I am scared to death to lose it all.

It is ready, set, go time for the Windows 7 launch, which will mean millions of computer users heading to the store to see the latest of what Microsoft has to offer.

The Oct. 22 launch will be a big deal for Microsoft, which will try to repeat the success of Windows XP and eliminate the perceived failure of Vista, which never caught on in the all-important corporate market.

It has been some time since we answered the ton of mail that has been piling up so let's get right to it and relieve the pressure on my inbox.

Q. I don't quite get your column on free anti-virus programs. Are you saying that we don't have to pay for these programs anymore?

More and more computers that I see in my computer service business are infected with fake anti-virus software. These products have various names but end up annoying the heck out of you that your computer is infected and the end of the world is near unless you pay $35 to protect your computer.

One of my favorite computer magazines, PC World, this month did a rundown of the best free anti-virus products on the market. The results were surprising.

Netbooks, smartbooks, laptops -- students and parents are bombarded with choices these days.

After a few columns about the merits of Windows 7 and the upcoming release I have let the mailbag sag to the floor. Let's answer a few good ones today.

Q. If I install AVG's Free Edition, will I have to renew it every few months? I keep getting a pop-up about it.

As October nears and Windows 7 hits the retail shelves, most computer owners with Windows XP will face a daunting decision: Should they upgrade to the latest and greatest operating system from Microsoft or save their money.