Real World Mac Maintenance and Backups Periodic Task Checklist

You can cut out this page and hang it in a conspicuous place to remind you which tasks you should do when. You might also consider adding daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly reminders to your favorite calendar application.

Daily Tasks
Back up changed files.	Download (but dont install) software updates.
Weekly Tasks
Clean up your Desktop.	Check for third-party software updates.
Back up everything.	Reboot if performance seems slow.
Rotate backups offsite.	Consider clearing certain caches.
Use Software Update to install Apple software updates.
Monthly Tasks
Empty your Trash.	Clean your mouse or trackball.
Use Disk Utilitys Repair Disk feature.	Exercise your laptops battery.
Clean your screen.
Yearly Tasks
De-dust your Mac.	Make archival backups to DVD.
Clean your keyboard.	Remove unneeded files.
Clean your iSight.	Change your passwords.