When I purchased my upgrade from 1.75 to 2.5 it said I was responsible for my own backup.
Okay.
How do I back up the program?
I guess that depends on how you normally backup you compouter. FWIW I just made a copy of all the relevant directories to another location on my HDD, but they weren't needed.
Ver. 2.5 doesn't overwrite 1.75 and the two products can co-exist, though I personally have had no need to go back to 1.75 for anything. O the other hand, it has been useful when trying to understand problems other users have had. I haven't even needed it for that for several years.
Be warned that any 1.75 file you edit and save under 2.x will no longer be openable by 1.75 as the file format is different; 2.x is far richer in objects and attributes.
Right. I've been dealing with that, with no problem. Once you read it in, why would you want to go back?
My main concern is should my hard drive crash, and had to reinstall all the programs I put on it, how do I get 2.5 on it?
If you have adequate backup it shouldn't be a problem, but if for some reason you cannot do a restore that gives you back your programs then you should at least still have your installers (I assume you've kept the downloads?) in a safe location.
If all else fails, an email to support (with appropriate identifying details, like your name and serial no., code or whatever it's called) will might get you back up and running. Best to keep your install files safe or order the CD.
A working install of any 2.x version is enough as once it's running, just go to the help menu and choose "Access Noteworthy Software.com" and you will be offered an upgrade to the latest release (of V2.x).
Edits in italics - sorry Eric, I stand corrected.
There is no guarantee that support will get you back up after a hard drive crash. If you are not planning to maintain backup protection from a hard drive crash, then the CD option is recommended for quickly getting things reinstalled.