Data Backups

Nothing puts a computer guy's mind at ease more than a complete data backup. It can be terrifying working on a computer whose data has not been backed up. At one time or another we have all lost documents that we have spent considerable time on. Almost all of us have also had to say to a computer technician, "No, I don't have a backup." Uncomfortable silence usually follows this exchange. "How can I backup my data?" you ask. A backup can be anything from a copy of a file in a different location on your hard drive to a full copy of your system on tape. Following are a few examples of how you might backup your data: ·

-Copy files to another location on your hard drive - This is an ok short-term solution, but it is no help at all if your hard drive fails. If you have multiple hard drives, then you're a little better off. A bolt of lightning can still ruin your day, however. Other disadvantages include that it's time consuming and that you have to remember to copy the files. ·

-Copy files to a floppy disk - this is common method of backing up files on stand-alone computers. Disadvantages include that it's only as good as your memory, it's time consuming and a floppy can usually only hold a small amount of your total data. Of course, with the advent of writeable CDs and zip drives, space becomes less of an issue. ·

-Copy files to tape - This is the best answer for most network users. Whether it's an inexpensive Travan drive or a higher-end Digital Audio Tape (DAT) drive, tape drives are generally very reliable and worry free. Used in conjunction with automatic backup software like Veritas Backup Exec, tape drives can offer reliable, fully automatic data backups. One disadvantage is that tape drives cost a little more, but anyone who has ever needed to restore from backup will tell you it's worth the extra expense.

Backups should be run nightly and should include all documents and database files, but need not include program files or operating system files. If needed, program files can be reinstalled from the installation CDs. Excluding these files will save hours off your backup and will increase the likelihood of a successful backup. Also remember to always check the success of your backup. Most backup software can provide success/failure reports. Never take these reports at face value. It is a good idea to periodically restore random files from the tape to make sure that files can actually be restored in the event of a catastrophe.

Also remember to clean the tape drive every couple of months. Cleaning tapes are very inexpensive and easy to use.

If you have questions about backing up your data, please give us a call.

Is there something specific you'd like to see? We'd appreciate your feedback and article ideas. Please e-mail them to support@promethiusconsulting.com.

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Halloween's
Early American Evolution

As European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups, as well as the American Indians, meshed, a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included "play parties," public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other's fortunes, dance, and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds.

By the middle of the nineteenth century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country. In the second half of the nineteenth century, America was flooded with new immigrants. These new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland's potato famine of 1846, helped to popularize the celebration of Halloween nationally. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition.

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Get disconnected from your dial-up account frequently?

Try this: If you get disconnected from the internet frequently, try this extra modem setting:
1. Go to Modems in Control Panel (Start > Settings > Control Panel)

2. From Modems select Properties, select the Connection Tab, click the Advanced button

3. In the Extra settings dialogue box, enter S10=50 This will force the modem to stay connected without a carrier, up to 5 seconds.