Starfire:  Even Carrie doesn't back up her Mac.  



Mr. Nied:  Best wishes on the return of your property.  If the computer was the only thing stolen I'd be VERY suspicious!

Think there was another break-in two blocks up the street this week...

No real backups, just a few archaic machines some of the files came from. 

No remote access, although that would have been a great idea. Alas, I'm not the most tech savvy dude on the block. 

There were programs on the machine with automatic log in. How do you track them? 

It's a shame this happened, and other actions alike in the neighborhood. The fact that someone who has been in my home is somehow connected to this act of theft really pisses me off. Major loss of trust for many people in my life who up until now I considered to be decent folks. I now understand the desire to pack up and move to California.

I had a multitude of stuff stolen in a break in while we lived in Alaska.  Some of it was very easily identifiable (unique coins, things with serial numbers etc).  The pawn shops were very, very helpful and sympathetic.  I gave them all lists and they watched for things.  They also helped me navigate the stolen property division at the Anchorage Police Department.  Sadly we never got anything back.  But they do not want to deal in stolen property.  Incidentally, someone cashed a check at a pawn shop and the pawn shop was by far the most reasonable to deal with in taking care of the stolen check.  Might be worth stopping by the shops in town and giving them a description of your 'puter.

It's at the ready. Thanks for the best suggestion yet, Carl.

How to Catch a Laptop Thief.