Quicken

I have an iMac and I still use Quicken 2002 (it's old but still does everything I need to do). I've been thinking about either getting a new computer or upgrading my Quicken software and I have a couple of questions:

If I get a new computer (Apple) will my old information transfer? Should I bother? I'm not that concerned because I know that I can print everything out from previous years but I'm wondering if it would work.

Should I / could I upgrade my current Quicken to newer version and is it worth it?

Finally, how do I back up quicken if my computer dies? I have recently started doing all banking in and through my computer and although it wouldn't be THAT big of a deal, it would be quite an inconvenience to lose everything and have to start over.

Thanks in advance...

Your new Mac will come with a program (Migration Assistant or something like that) that will transfer it automatically. It worked flawlessly when I upgraded from TiBook to MBP. I believe the new ones still come with Quicken.

As for backing up your financial information and everything else, three essential words: Firewire Hard Drive.

I'm not certain there even is a newer version of Quicken for the Mac. Kind of lost track.

As to transferring data: I think the new Macs make it plug and play. IIRC you just run a Firewire cable between your old Mac and the new one, start up the old computer in "slave" (or whatever they call it) mode, and the new Mac knows the other one's there and it will ask you if you want to move the files across. Pretty slick.

You don't need to back up Quicken per se; just the data files that have your stuff in them. That's as easy as copying them to a thumb drive or some other portable media.

Edit: well this thread sat here all day without reply, and as soon as I jump in Gladwell's here with a far better and more concise iteration of my reply. Curses!

Originally Posted by Tck13

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If I get a new computer (Apple) will my old information transfer? Should I bother? I'm not that concerned because I know that I can print everything out from previous years but I'm wondering if it would work.

Yes, transfers are no problem - other posters have covered this though. Definitely worth doing.

Should I / could I upgrade my current Quicken to newer version and is it worth it?

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If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Especially with accounting systems. For a point of reference, the IRS still uses 40 year old mainframes to do all it's processing work.

If you do decide to upgrade, the new version should be able to import the data from the old one with few problems.

Finally, how do I back up quicken if my computer dies? I have recently started doing all banking in and through my computer and although it wouldn't be THAT big of a deal, it would be quite an inconvenience to lose everything and have to start over.

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Should be an option in Quicken to Export/Backup data. Back up to a CD-R, label it with the date, and stick it in a safe somewhere off-site so it can't be destroyed by a fire. If you're not that worried about losing the data, just throw it in a CD wallet somewhere.

Ideally, the Big Book of Data Backups says to do this monthly and at the end of the year start throwing away the oldest disc for a constantly rotating year's worth of backups. In the real world very few people stick to this though.

At least, until they have a total meltdown of 3 years worth of work the night before a major project is due in... those people tend to stick to backup policies pretty well.