Musings on Technology and life in general
Having a backup is NOT enough. hHow do you know the backed up files are valid? No backup software and no hardware are without bugs. What you need to do is test your backup by restoring a few important files after the backup is done. This does not take much time and will
let you know the backup has worked.
I know I have written about this before, as have others. AND last week was Global Backup Day. So, I am asking you to do personal outreach, even though YOU backup. PLEASE. ask at least 2 friends if they backup their computers, phones and tablets. If they do GREAT, if not assist them in doing a backup or refer them to someone who can assist them. We have lots of irreplaceable files on our digital devices. Loosing these files CAN happen, but if these files are backed up they can be restored. Without a backup, the loss of these files can cause a lot of unneeded suffering. THERE IS NO EXCUSE NOT TO BACKUP ALL YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES. And to borrow from another national campaign, Friends don't let friends go without backups.
If you own an i device, please sync it at least monthly and place your pictures on another storage device, like iTunes on a computer. The camera roll is only meant as a temporary place to store your pictures. IF you value your photos you will remove them from the camera roll after syncing them. Otherwise you are at a high risk of loosing them.
I like curious customers who want to learn more about how the computer works BUT A little knowledge in an inexperienced users mind can be MORE dangerous than misinformation. Entries in logs and configuration files, and access to out of date books can cause misunderstanding and great distress, especially if this information conflicts with the years of experience and knowledge of their computer person/consultant. This type of client is a real challenge and needs to be taught where to get current up to date information on the problems they seem to think they have, and of course they need to have their trust in their computer person/consultant reenforced. It is a challenge and frustrating at the same time.
The trash/recycle bin is NOT a place to store important files. Neither is the desktop, but thats a topic for another blog post. The trash/recycle bin is a place where you put files you want to delete from your computer, just like a regular trash bucket is a place where you throw paper and other material you no longer need. and just like a real trash bucket, it needs to be emptied on a regular basis. IF you do regular backups, you will not loose anything important. Having an empty trash/recycle bin will also help you computer run faster. I had a client a few weeks ago that had 3.5 GB (yup GIGAbytes) of files in their trash. Their comment after I got their permission to check and empty the trash: "Wow, its like the computer is NEW again". So, please empty the trash/recycle bin at least daily.
Everyone who is not currently backing up their computers, PLEASE Do SO. You keep personal addresses, email, photos, financial info and other important information on your computer. What would happen if you lost this stuff? With a recent backup, it would just cost some time. Without a backup, at least 700 US Dollars or more (if the info can be saved), a LOT of aggravation and stress, and days if not weeks to recreate what was lost, IF you could recreate it at all. If you have any questions of how and where to do backups, ask away.
