You hear a lot of jokes about resolutions, but few people actually make them anymore. Fewer still keep them.

I have some high-tech resolutions for 2006. Unlike resolutions about smoking, losing weight or growing hair, these are resolutions you should be able to keep. Let's be clear. I'm talking about you. I make no promises for myself.

> Clear the clutter: Dedicated computer enthusiasts who faithfully clean the clutter of old programs and data from hard disks often work in squalor. My own desks (notice the plural; I have too much clutter for one home office) look like staging areas for solid waste dumps.

Cleaning clutter does more than keep the family happy. I found a nice 1-gigabyte compact flash memory card for my camera when I cleaned one of my desks last week. I hadn't seen it in months. Removing clutter can also prevent fires. No joke. Piled-up trash can block cooling vents and cause a fatal case of overheating.

So please resolve to clean up your computer work area and keep it clean.

> Crush the bugs: Good intentions will not keep you safe from viruses, adware, worms, trojan horses or other bad guys. Install and use programs that guard your computer. Make sure you keep them updated because the creators of malicious software are busy as little squirrels, writing new viruses and spyware programs.

Either buy some of Norton's products --- I think the products are excellent and the customer service is horrible --- or use the free programs I have recommended in the past. SpyBot Search & Destroy (go to www.download.com, use the search feature and download it) works fine for adware and spyware. Grisoft's free anti-virus will take care of the rest. You can find it at www.grisoft.com /doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01.

> Get more sunlight: Resolve to spend less time in the light of a computer monitor, more time in the light of the sun. Computers are great. But most of us spend too much time sitting at a keyboard. You will have more time to spend with family and friends this way. There are other advantages. For instance, you are less likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome.

I'm as guilty as the next geek when it comes to overdosing on computers. I sit at a computer all day at work and am usually at a computer 30 minutes after taking my coat off at home. I've been spending too much time playing games online. Last night I actually had trouble sleeping because I worried that I spent too much gold --- the currency of the game I play --- on an Icy Dragon Sword. This is not a healthy worry for a 59-year-old guy.

> Cure your e-mail sins: If you are like most people, these sins are both terrible and large in number. Here are some resolutions for you (repeat after me): "After receiving an e-mail explaining that Bill Gates is giving away his fortune, I will not forward that e-mail to 1,052 of my closest friends." Gates is keeping his money. That e-mail about the new virus is probably false, too. Don't be as gullible when it comes to e-mail.

Let's try another e-mail resolution: "When I am really angry and write a brilliant e-mail that expresses that anger with great eloquence, I will file the e-mail away for at least two days before sending it." This resolution can preserve your job, your friends and your sanity.

> Use the power of your computer: I'm not talking power measured in megahertz and gigahertz. Instead, use the incredible power of learning that your computer and the Internet puts in your hands. For those of us who are old, there's still a feeling of awe in the realization that we can get answers to questions that would have kept a staff of reference librarians busy for weeks.

Be curious and satisfy your curiosity. But keep a warning light glowing as you do this. Not all that you read online is true or accurate. So cross-check answers from multiple Web sites and remember that real libraries are pretty neat places, too.

> Avoid becoming a computer expert: This is a great resolution. Half the computer problems I fix these days were caused by a self-proclaimed computer expert.

> Enjoy the new year: I hope it's the best one yet for you. And I resolve to continue to be grateful for the opportunity to have this continuing conversation with you.