Wow Bone, I'm sorry you had such a stressful time.
2 good lessons though, without losing everything...One, always back-up everything. I learned the hard way. I lost 9 mos of work about a year ago. Worst day ever, you will make it a habit now like I have.
Two, with a dsl line you are suppesedly always connected and can be very vulnerable...get zone alarm and may I suggest since you do well for yourself and are fairly visible through the boards and your sites, that you get one puter for work that isn't connected to anything and one for e-mail, internet, bbs', etc.
Put 'em right next to each other, you'll never notice the inconvenience and makes you feel a lot safer. There are just too many little shits with too much time on their hands.