;)
Wednesday
Mar042009
Creamed - A Public Service Announement
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 1:42PM
Hi, this is Chris again. It's "Chris Talkin." (I'm the only American I know who watches Corner Gas).
Anyways, I just received this beauty of an email from Mr. Lady, who's without computer for a little while:
"It's my harddrive. Which is quite dead. Now would be an excellent time to cream me on my blog. If you're into that sort of thing."
Innuendos aside -- oh that's going to be tough -- I thought I would go ahead give my geeky public service message about backing things up on your computer.
It is not if your computer crashes, it's when your computer crashes. And you should be prepared for that event so it's not catastrophic but merely an annoyance while you catch up on DVR'd shows (Lost? Antitrust? Oh how I like Rachel Leigh Cook as a computer geek.)
Here goes...
FIRST: Sign up for an online backup service. It's way cheaper than your txt message plan. They work one of two ways: either you check off the folders you want to backup, or it creates a drive (like C:\ or F:\) where you can save your files. And the rest is magic. Your files will be safely and securely transferred to online storage where you can easily retrieve them from another computer or get them back after yours is rebuilt. It's so easy your mom can do it.
I know people who use the following services and have been happy with them:
http://www.jungledisk.com/
http://www.ibackup.com/
http://www.carbonite.com/
Make sure whichever service you choose automatically encrypts (protects) your files in case somebody evil gains access to them (all three services listed above do).
Speaking of evil, if you hate Rush Limbaugh then don't choose carbonite.com because they advertise on his show. (Personally I kinda like El Rushbo, a fact which totally gets me laid at Tea Parties, weddings, and anywhere in Lubbock, TX)
Seriously though, this online backup stuff is super cheap and only takes a few mouse clicks (or clit tickles if you have a Dell or IBM laptop) to set up and it's so easy my 16 month old niece can do it. Maybe not, but she can totally unlock my iPhone and scroll through pictures in the photo album.
[Mr. Lady should pay close attention to this item because I don't think she had a backup. Scorch!]
SECOND: All those cd's and pieces of paper that come with your computer? Keep them. Stuff them under the couch, in a drawer, or with your spouse's oil change records for as long as you have the computer. If you're getting a used computer then make sure you get those disks from the previous owner. If you no longer have the computer then you are safe to throw them away. It's a mindless step, but it can save a bunch of time or money when you have to reinstall Windows or OS X.
THIRD: Mac OS X and Windows Vista have pretty nice "time machine" or "restore" systems. These basically take a snapshot of critical files which can be reapplied/reverted if the system files are corrupted. I highly recommend you take a snapshot periodically because it there's a change it might save some trouble.
LAST: If you have a computer for your kids, it will get toasted on a regular basis. Save yourself some trouble and learn about Live CD's. They are basically full computer systems on a CD -- no installation required. Simply pop in the cd and turn her on. The kids won't be able to break anything, and if something stops working then a simple reboot gets you back to a clean slate. I like Knoppix because it's totally free and works well. Edubuntu is for younger children and also looks interesting.
This concludes my public service message. Happy porn surfing!
Anyways, I just received this beauty of an email from Mr. Lady, who's without computer for a little while:
"It's my harddrive. Which is quite dead. Now would be an excellent time to cream me on my blog. If you're into that sort of thing."
Innuendos aside -- oh that's going to be tough -- I thought I would go ahead give my geeky public service message about backing things up on your computer.
It is not if your computer crashes, it's when your computer crashes. And you should be prepared for that event so it's not catastrophic but merely an annoyance while you catch up on DVR'd shows (Lost? Antitrust? Oh how I like Rachel Leigh Cook as a computer geek.)
Here goes...
FIRST: Sign up for an online backup service. It's way cheaper than your txt message plan. They work one of two ways: either you check off the folders you want to backup, or it creates a drive (like C:\ or F:\) where you can save your files. And the rest is magic. Your files will be safely and securely transferred to online storage where you can easily retrieve them from another computer or get them back after yours is rebuilt. It's so easy your mom can do it.
I know people who use the following services and have been happy with them:
http://www.jungledisk.com/
http://www.ibackup.com/
http://www.carbonite.com/
Make sure whichever service you choose automatically encrypts (protects) your files in case somebody evil gains access to them (all three services listed above do).
Speaking of evil, if you hate Rush Limbaugh then don't choose carbonite.com because they advertise on his show. (Personally I kinda like El Rushbo, a fact which totally gets me laid at Tea Parties, weddings, and anywhere in Lubbock, TX)
Seriously though, this online backup stuff is super cheap and only takes a few mouse clicks (or clit tickles if you have a Dell or IBM laptop) to set up and it's so easy my 16 month old niece can do it. Maybe not, but she can totally unlock my iPhone and scroll through pictures in the photo album.
[Mr. Lady should pay close attention to this item because I don't think she had a backup. Scorch!]
SECOND: All those cd's and pieces of paper that come with your computer? Keep them. Stuff them under the couch, in a drawer, or with your spouse's oil change records for as long as you have the computer. If you're getting a used computer then make sure you get those disks from the previous owner. If you no longer have the computer then you are safe to throw them away. It's a mindless step, but it can save a bunch of time or money when you have to reinstall Windows or OS X.
THIRD: Mac OS X and Windows Vista have pretty nice "time machine" or "restore" systems. These basically take a snapshot of critical files which can be reapplied/reverted if the system files are corrupted. I highly recommend you take a snapshot periodically because it there's a change it might save some trouble.
LAST: If you have a computer for your kids, it will get toasted on a regular basis. Save yourself some trouble and learn about Live CD's. They are basically full computer systems on a CD -- no installation required. Simply pop in the cd and turn her on. The kids won't be able to break anything, and if something stops working then a simple reboot gets you back to a clean slate. I like Knoppix because it's totally free and works well. Edubuntu is for younger children and also looks interesting.
This concludes my public service message. Happy porn surfing!
Reader Comments (35)
Damn. This was useful stuff. Thanks! Almost worth losing Mr Lady for a week for. She'd smack me for that, but she only exists on the internet, right?
So what you're saying is that Mr. Lady has no computer and would have no way of knowing if I shamelessly promoted myself in her comments?
Click the ad on the right! Click the ad on the right! Click the ad on the right!
Also, great advice indeed. I'm forwarding this info over to my wife so she can perform her 5-year backup on her own laptop!
So that's what the time machine is for. Good to know, seeing as my last laptop died a week ago without any backup. I feel your pain, Mr. Lady.
Finally! Something useful on this blog! ;-)
Well, I for one thought the pictures of Mr Lady in boots were useful...
And yeah, the teacher's in the hallways so all us kids get to dance on the desks and shoot spitballs!
Thanks for all the info, I'm so going to backup online.
All information that would have been useful, minus the kids and husband stuff ;)
Whoops. Meant to say it would have been useful last year...
"It’s so easy your mom can do it."
"...it’s so easy my 16 month old niece can do it."
Really? You couldn't alternate gender? Or do you just assume that those two females, like all us girlie girls, aren't that bright? Of course in the latter case, she has some fine motor skill issues, but my mom? Really? It's true that she isn't interested much in any sort of technology, but she is mighty mighty. I'd be scared to say that to her face.
I totally watch Corner Gas! It is on high priority on my DVR right below "Lost" as a matter of fact. My friend at work and I talk about it constantly and she has a "Ruby" coffee mug. There, now you know (of) two Americans who watch Corner Gas.
PS...Backups...who needs stinkin' backups???
Your techno talk was totally appreciated.
Any recommendations for when the economy crashes, how does one go about backing that up? Your input there is also greatly appreciated.
Also, how do you punish your husband if he accidentally deletes (bc guys can't multi-task) your daughter's newborn video.
Thank you.
This is extremely useful information. Not usually why I come to this blog, but it must be said nonetheless. :) Thanks for all the links. Tell Mr Lady I said *smooches*
Nothing to add, except that we love Corner Gas in this house, and we're in Ohio
@rebecca Your observation would have never crossed my mind, but then again people are sensitive to different things. If you know me and see the way I treat the women in my life you'd understand that I certainly do not see them as incapable people. Quite the opposite. However, of the nine people to whom I regularly provide technical support only one of them is male. In college I was a phone tech support person for an internet provider (back when they were mostly small businesses) and the vast majority of the callers were female. I attribute this trend more than anything to Woman's stereotypical willingness to ask for directions before a Man. I think this is a global experience across the whole sphere of technical support and is mainly what gives rise to the ubiquitous phrase, "So easy your mom can do it."
So let me revise my post...the online backup thing is so easy, anybody can do it no matter how low one's technical confidence may be.
@mn I think the general advice of this blog would be to deny him any sort of pleasure for at least a week. Nonetheless, most backup services will provide a mechanism to recover deleted files.
@ the American Corner Gas fans: I'm happy to hear other folks like that show too. I tend to quote the stuff I like, and it's frustrating when nobody appreciates me saying, "Pow! Scorch! Double Scorch!"
@Traci Where did she get a Ruby coffee mug?
Okay, so I have a Mac...and had no clue what Time Machine was for until today. Thanks for that. May have to dust off that icon and put it to use. My baby is less than a year old, but at $1600 a pop, I ain't about to lose her.
Thanks for the PSA Chris :)
Oh Chris... you must watch Corner Gas on DVR and skip the commercials or walk out of the room before the final credits...or you would know that you can go to www.cornergas.com and buy all kinds of useless things like Brent's service station shirt. And yes, even a Corner Gas/The Ruby mug. Enjoy!
Oh Chris… you must watch Corner Gas on DVR and skip the commercials or walk out of the room before the final credits…or you would know that you can go to cornergas. com and buy all kinds of useless things like Brent’s service station shirt. And yes, even a Corner Gas/The Ruby mug. Enjoy!
Thanks for that PSA. Too bad Mr. Lady can't read it. Maybe a computer at the library is available for her.
Great advice.
Better still, get a geeky IT husband who brings home every single clapped out computer from work so we have like NINE computers on the network and a bajillion more in the shed. So there is always one to play with while others are being 'played with'
Oh and for the love of God get a MAC!
Bravo. I've been burned before, and now I am a religious backer-upper, and for Mac users there really is nothing better than Time Machine (trust me on that, because I've been burned badly by another Mac offering).
If money is no object, the data on a hard drive can usually be recovered, however. I've had that done, too, and there are plenty of great services out there that do it. DriveSavers in Novato, California, are among the best. (Again, trust me on that one -- firsthand experience talking here.)
Hi Chris - excellent post - and since you're answering questions - last year Hubby and I bought a 500 GB hard drive and installed it as the E drive. Is it safe against a local C drive crash or should I pick up an external drive on which to save my beloved photos?
Thanks for the PSA, I needed it.
Another Corner Gas watching American. My husband got me started and now I am hooked.
My computer is a dead man right now too. Sucks.
I'm so glad I have my own little geek squad to do this stuff for me...I love my IT guys..
i LOVE corner gas!!! and i'm from san diego!
thanks for the online back up info. those install discs are a lifesaver. i love looking like a god when i ask my friends for them and magically turn the computer on. actually, that hasn't happened in a while.
iWeb..and Time Machine...FTW!
Get better soon, Mr. Lady's computer.
The upper midwest loves "Corner Gas" also! My kids and I watch as do my parents. Maybe we need a post simply on "Corner Gas"! :)
And I thought I got excited when that picture of Mr.Lady in boots and nothing else showed up on the internet! Woo hoo! But this twirled my buttons. I love useful and easy to understand computer info.
That and you said Lubbock, which is far from Austin. But home none the less.
i brought her a back up drive. The kind that doesn't require anything other than being plugged in. Yeah.
I'm doing my part.
Just sayin.
To keep yourself sane, try Windows Steady State - basically resets your machine on reboot to your preferred setup:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx
So if some jackass decides to install every toolbar and every virus known to man, restart your machine, and start again. Almost as good as defaulting on your mortgage and having your neighbor pay for it.
To keep yourself sane, try Windows Steady State - basically resets your machine on reboot to your preferred setup (link is on my name)
So if some jackass decides to install every toolbar and every virus known to man, restart your machine, and start again. Almost as good as defaulting on your mortgage and having your neighbor pay for it.
i've never even heard of corner gas, sorry, but i am looking up their website to see what the fuss is all about.
i finally got an external hard drive so that i wouldn't have to fool with all of this backup, losing precious photos, etc. now, i just have to remember to copy over my stuff every now and then.
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