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Backing up is hard to do
I just mentioned a few weeks ago about how important it is to back up your computer from time to time. The more you use it, the more often you should back up.
Well, I am glad I followed my own advice. My computer started giving me the blue and black screens of death and I knew that it was only a matter of time before I wouldn’t be able to get any more data off of it. Luckily, I had done back ups and haven’t lost any of my work (or my clients). But it was scary thinking of all the work I could have lost if I didn’t back up.
However, I’ve just gone out and bought myself a new 2 Terrabyte memory external hard drive and I’m going to set up a back up schedule. It is going to take me a while to get my computer back to how I had it (minus the death screens) but at least I know that I have my work saved.
Tip:
Don’t forget to back up your contacts and favourites from time to time as well. If you use Outlook Express (no longer available with Windows 7) you can export your contacts into a spreadsheet file and import it into any other mail program, including hotmail, gmail etc. And you can save your favourites as well doing the same thing. I even drag my email messages into folders like “Inbox” “Sent items” etc so I have the latest emails from people as well. If you do that before you back up your computer, you can include that in your back up.
If you use a program like Quicken or Quickbooks, it is a good idea to back that up to a folder each time you are finished with updating your accounts. Then include that folder when you back up as well.
Cloud Computing
Have you noticed mention of doing things “in the cloud” or just the term “cloud computing”? It’s the new buzz expression. Well, you use the cloud in your every day computer life already. Cloud computing is a system whereby data storage, applications and to some degree processing power are available via servers (or computers) other than your own. Those space hogging office programs not longer sit on your computer using up your finite resources, but online where they can expand and contract depending on how many people are accessing them at once.
We use cloud-based services already to some degree. If you use web based email services (hotmail, gmail) photo sharing sites, chat to friends, and on various machines, phones, PDAs and netbooks.
Benefits
Sharing is easier of documents, video or images, eliminating the need for them to download anything. It allows you to use programs without having to have them on your computer, or purchase anything.
Disadvantages
You have to be careful though. As you don’t really know where your data is being held, there is always the chance of losing it. And if it is sensitive information, security should be a worry. If you use a service like Google Docs, you have to figure that none of your documents are going to be particularly private.
And an important disadvantage is that if your work is online, you are stuck if you need it when you are out of range of the Internet, or it just isn’t working at any particular time.
Examples of Cloud Computing
Email – obvious examples are google mail, hotmail, yahoo.
Data Storage – Rather than backing up to a portable drive, there are internet based systems such as Humyo, ZumoDrive, and Dropbox
Collaboration – There are sites that you can use that you can use for web conferencing, online meetings or remote support. Your family can have a calendar that everyone has access to in order to co-ordinate events, holidays etc. With services such as Mikogo , Stixy, it makes it easier than emailing back and forth.
Virtual Office – Google’s online suite of office applications (docs,google.com)is one of the companies offering the online creation of word processor, spreadsheets and even presentations. Thinkfree Online, Zoho. and Microsoft Live are other examples of this type of service.
Posted in file transfer, Free stuff, internet, programs | 
cloud, computing, dropbox, wifi | 
Leave a commentYou Send it
Here is another site that will send your larger files via the internet, rather than clogging up your email or a friend’s. This is especially helpful when the file is larger than your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will allow.
Go to You Send It and follow the easy instructions. This one is slightly different from the previous one I mentioned, in that it sends the email to your recipient with instructions. It also worked pretty fast as well.
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