Onsite Mobile Computer Services

Data Backup – The Options

Josh — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:50:26 +0000

We all know, or have been informed of the critical need to backup our data. Documents, family photos, our music collection, financial information, and more irreplaceable types of information are stored on disks spinning at 5,000 to 10,000 rotations per minute. What happens when part of that disk suddenly fails? There needs to be a copy of that information to reduce your chances losing it.

So, how do you do it? What are the options? Is it something an average computer user can figure out themselves? Let’s find out.

Ok, so all that precious information is currently on your hard drive, right? We need to make a backup that can be physically located away from the original, is easy enough to perform that you’ll be able to do it regularly, and can be accessed fairly quickly and easily if the unthinkable happens.

I’ll start by telling you the method I use. Then I’ll mention other options. I’ve found what works for me. Your needs may be different.

Using both a Windows PC and a Mac in my type of work (PC Tech and Web Designer), I need a system that works for both types of machines, so what I do is I copy just my critical Windows PC files over to a folder on my Mac and use Super Duper a $30 Mac-only utility that makes an exact copy of my entire hard drive on an external disk. If my hard drive were to fail, I would just swap it out with a fresh disk, boot off the external drive which has Super Duper on it of course, and clone my data to the new drive. If you rotate two or more external hard drives with this method, storing them off-site, you reduce the chances of something going wrong. At the same time, I burn a data DVD with my critical documents and business information on it. I usually try to make sure this all happens once a week. That’s what works for me.

Alright, let’s look at the best technologies and options available.

Data storage options:

Optical disks: CD’s and DVD’s
External Hard Drives
Web-based backup options
Software Options

CD’s and DVD’s are cheap. They are however fairly limited in how much you put on them. I mentioned that I perform a regular backup of my documents on DVD. I don’t put home movies or my family photos all on DVD, though. It is possible, however it is harder and more time consuming which reduces your chances of actually doing it at all.

External Hard Drives are an excellent option. You can backup every file on you computer to one, and take the drive off site for storage. It’s much easier to work with than CD’s and DVD’s, and takes less time. You can find some excellent choices HERE.

Web-based solutions are becoming more and more popular with the spread of broadband internet access. Here are some of the better ones that come to mind:

OmniDrive – Free online data storage. Files can be browsed and edited as if they were on an external drive.
Amazon S3 – For a couple bucks a month you can backup hundreds of gigabytes of data and access it anywhere in the world with a PC and broadband connection. Some folks actually use it as their permanent file storage system, since Amazon does all the backup work for you.
IBackup – Good business oriented solution
AllMyData.com – Unlimited online backup. $5.00 a month for 100GB

What about software? You know, the shrink-wrapped boxes you buy at Best Buy or Staples? They are useful if you want to do your own backup onto an external hard drive. Here’s a list of options. You can purchase them from Amazon by clicking on the links:

Norton Ghost – One of the backup options that has been around for years. Works quite well; makes an “image” or clone of your entire Windows PC hard drive. It has a bit of a learning curve, but works quite well.
EMC Retrospect – A user friendly option for data backup. Very simple to use.
Drive Backup 4 – An inexpensive option that has most of the features of the other software titles mentioned.
Super Duper – My all-time favorite. Mac only. An excellent choice if you are a mac user.

Wireless Networking Hardware for Homes & Offices

Josh — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:55:42 +0000

I recently purchased a Netgear wireless router for my office network. It supports all the usual goodies like wireless a, b and g+ at data rates up to 108 Megabits per second (The new wireless n won’t be completely standardized until next year). I would have to say my favorite feature of it is the software User Interface. There are very few companies that can formulate that magic connection between the average mere mortal and high end technology (OK Apple Computer would be one), but Netgear has done an amazing job this time. A simple step by step setup, after you’ve hooked it up to power and plugged it into your broadband connection and PC, takes you through all the necessary steps including the all important network security. It uses the latest wireless encryption technology yet maintains that simplicity of use we all crave. If you are looking to setup a wireless network, I highly recommend this router. You can buy it from Amazon.com HERE.

If you have an older computer that isn’t WIFI enabled I recommend a simple plug-and-play USB wireless adapter available very inexpensively HERE.

Of course if you need a hand setting it up and configuring your laptops or other wireless devices feel free to give me a call. That is of course if you live locally. If you live in Timbuktu or New York, I can’t help you.

Performancing – The best blogging tool in the world (IMHO)

Josh — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 07:17:05 +0000

Performancing is an amazing plugin for the Firefox web-browser. In fact I am using it as I write this post. Power and Simplicity would be the words I would use to describe it. Once installed it is only a mouse click away in the status bar at the very bottom of the browser window. Clicking on it brings up a split-screen view of Firefox so you can surf the information you are blogging about and type your latest blog post in the bottom pane of the window. If you are “into” the whole blogging phenomenon go ahead and give it a whirl. You’ll be impressed. And of course like all good things from the open-source community, it’s FREE!

Local Search – How To Add Your Business

Josh — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 15:48:01 +0000

This post has little to do with the technical aspects of computers. However, if you own a small business, you may find it very helpful.

Local Search is a fairly new phenomenon that has hit the net these day. It is marketing for a local business using the internet instead of letting your fingers do the walking in the yellow pages . There are a host of options and it can be quite daunting for a new business owner or someone new to the whole idea of local search.

So, I thought I’d just list the most popular local search options and how to add a business listing to each:

Google Local – You need to already have a Gmail account which you can get HERE. Then you click on the following link and follow the directions for a free local listing. http://www.google.com/local/add

Yahoo Local – Again, you have to have a Yahoo account which you can sign up for HERE. Then use the following link to add your listing. http://listings.local.yahoo.com/

Live Local – Microsoft’s version of local search is a little harder to get listed in. I had to do alot of scrounging around to find this, but here it is. Just follow the link and fill out the form. http://webapp.localeze.com/bizreg/add.aspx

Local.com – This one is the simplest of them all. Just follow the link and enter in your pertinent business information. That’s it. http://register.local.com/free/update.aspx

Hope you found this helpful

- Josh

Your Windows PC – Best Practices

Josh — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 01:03:37 +0000

Here are 20 tips on keeping your computing experience as trouble-free as possible.

1.   Backup your files/information
2.   Use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer for web browsing
3.   Use web based email like Gmail, so you have a backup of your emails online as well as onsite… you can set up POP access or access via web browser.
4.   Don’t download software from unknown sites
5.   Don’t use peer-to-peer software like Kazaa and Limewire; if you must use them, remember: caveat emptor
6.   Ensure MS Windows is updated
7.   Ensure MS Office is updated if equipped
8. Ensure the Windows Firewall is enabled
9.   Use a hardware firewall like a router if possible
10. Don’t leave a wireless network unsecured/unencrypted
11. Ensure antivirus software is installed and updated
12. Ensure antispyware software is installed, updated and run periodically
13. Defragment hard drive monthly
14. Disable unused/unnecessary programs from startup in MSCONFIG
15. Use Google Desktop Search for more efficient document retrieval and processing
16. Keep all software disks that came with the computer and any peripherals; especially any software installation keys
17. Don’t turn off your computer by unplugging it
18. Always use a surge protector to protect computer equipment
19. Use a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Source) for mission critical computer systems
20. Smile, take a deep breath and relax. Most computer problems aren’t permanent. And of course give me a call if you need help. ☺