Or a Hard Drive crash, and you failed to back your data up. Or worse, the “cloud” site you saved data to failed in some way, and you lose all your data.Technology is a two-edged sword. Give me paper any day.
Today’s Edge City, [URL]http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/comics/Edge_City.dtl[/URL] reflected my anguish last week when my tax prep software called it quits trying to e-file my state return. I installed the program on a backup WinXP computer (slow as he!!), re-entered all my data and successfully filed my returns. I still think Windows 7 sux.
“I have never been able to upload anything I backed up on disk once it was repaired and rebooted, and it seems the computer guy always has to reinstall the entire operating system. "
If you are talking about “purchased” music and video, this is probably due to DRM (Digital Restrictions Management). I know a guy who lost nearly $1000 worth of music this way – twice. (Now he believes me.) There are two solutions:
a) don’t buy DRMed media. Amazon sells DRM free music, and I believe Apple does now also (and for Indy music see magnatune.com).
b) Use an image backup such as Tru-image. This will, of course, also restore the virus if that was your problem.
Your Windows tech is correct to reinstall if a virus is the problem.
I would also suggest not using Windows (using, e.g. Fedora instead), but that requires a learning curve which you may not want to invest in.
Some years back, when I was working in the software/electronic communications industry, I got to look around a newspaper office. Everything in the newspaper was electronic—reporters typed stories on screens and scanned photos into the digital system, and the stuff stayed in electronic form till the evening edition came out of the press. In contrast, the software company kept everything on paper; we couldn’t accomplish anything without a bushel of paperwork. I guess it shows that each company optimized what they valued—the newspaper understood the value of wood pulp, and we understood the value of electrons…
randymi about 12 years ago
Or a Hard Drive crash, and you failed to back your data up. Or worse, the “cloud” site you saved data to failed in some way, and you lose all your data.Technology is a two-edged sword. Give me paper any day.
flyertom about 12 years ago
Today’s Edge City, [URL]http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/comics/Edge_City.dtl[/URL] reflected my anguish last week when my tax prep software called it quits trying to e-file my state return. I installed the program on a backup WinXP computer (slow as he!!), re-entered all my data and successfully filed my returns. I still think Windows 7 sux.
PICTO about 12 years ago
Let it go people. All this talk about backups is starting to sound a bit retentive.
Olddog1 about 12 years ago
Totally paperless? What do you sell?
J Short about 12 years ago
Here, take the sports section in case your in there a while.
rini1946 about 12 years ago
this was tasteless and tacky keep it up I liked it. sorry have to go have my own paper work to do
LingeeWhiz about 12 years ago
If they go paperless it won’t be the TreetopsTattler any more. It will be the Treetops Splatter!
Foghorn about 12 years ago
This is just bathroom humor.
tigre1 about 12 years ago
When computers took over, there went our last regard for privacy and truth. EVERY data base can, has, and will be hacked. ..and altered…Period.
I base this on extrapolations from experience and common talk among acquaintances…and the international news.
dahawk about 12 years ago
Sear Roebuck was softer! And it was Monkey Ward not Montgomery Ward.
danlarios about 12 years ago
recyle
dfowensby about 12 years ago
and the plaintive wail from the dark in the men’s room " anybody got change for a five?"
stuart about 12 years ago
“I have never been able to upload anything I backed up on disk once it was repaired and rebooted, and it seems the computer guy always has to reinstall the entire operating system. "
If you are talking about “purchased” music and video, this is probably due to DRM (Digital Restrictions Management). I know a guy who lost nearly $1000 worth of music this way – twice. (Now he believes me.) There are two solutions:
a) don’t buy DRMed media. Amazon sells DRM free music, and I believe Apple does now also (and for Indy music see magnatune.com).
b) Use an image backup such as Tru-image. This will, of course, also restore the virus if that was your problem.
Your Windows tech is correct to reinstall if a virus is the problem.
I would also suggest not using Windows (using, e.g. Fedora instead), but that requires a learning curve which you may not want to invest in.
puddleglum1066 about 12 years ago
Some years back, when I was working in the software/electronic communications industry, I got to look around a newspaper office. Everything in the newspaper was electronic—reporters typed stories on screens and scanned photos into the digital system, and the stuff stayed in electronic form till the evening edition came out of the press. In contrast, the software company kept everything on paper; we couldn’t accomplish anything without a bushel of paperwork. I guess it shows that each company optimized what they valued—the newspaper understood the value of wood pulp, and we understood the value of electrons…
boldyuma about 12 years ago
Paperless?..Does that mean I have to use the hot air drier
after I do my business?….“Sorry sir..wait a minute”
WHIRRRRRRRR