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Written by Tony Phelps
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Thursday, 17 November 2005 |
You’re putting the final touches to your CV for that great job, when
the power goes off. You’re opening an unusual email attachment sent by
your friend, and it turns out to be a virus. You’re moving your
computer to a new desk and you accidentally drop it. You have a fire in
your house or office. Your computer-hard disk breaks down.
Oops.
In each case, you have lost some data. Perhaps all of it. It may be
relatively expensive, but you can get a new computer, or get a new
hard-disk, or get someone to wipe out all the software and re-install
it all so there’s no virus. But it may be much harder to get back your
unique data. Sometimes it is impossible, for example all the emails you
have been sent for the last few months or years. It may take weeks to
recreate spreadsheets, documents, financial records, or whatever else
is kept on computer.
For this reason, we have computer backups. Backups should include stuff
you are still working on, as well as “old” stuff that is being stored
for future reference. It takes a bit of practice, but getting in to the
habit of frequently saving your work is a wise precaution, regardless
of how long ago Unelco last had a power cut. Keeping duplicate copies
of important files is also wise, in case of corruption. And most
important, keeping a copy of all important data away from the computer
is the only way to have a true backup.
How to actually do a backup is another matter. Like an insurance
policy, it’s a waste of time & effort until the day you need it.
For home users, the best thing to do is keep all important data in one
location, and every now & then copy that location to a CDROM, a
memory-stick, or some other easy-to-use storage device. Check with
Vanuatu’s computer sellers for ideas & suggestions. Business houses
generally need something a little more automated & robust ; again,
Vanuatu’s IT companies can help.
Whichever method is chosen, backups are essential – just have a think
of what you would lose if your computer was dropped into the South
Pacific right now. Again, 28.4 grams of prevention is worth 0.454 kilos
of cure… |
