Biennial Crash Testing

[Holly Lisle]

On 14 May 99, at 7:21, Ron Jarrell wrote:

> The real solution is not to invest in a new platform just because you're
> afraid that the old one is crashing too much, but rather to invest in backup
> hardware, and then proceed to actually use it religiously.  Something like
> a Jaz drive can be had quite cheaply, as these things go, and has removable
> 2G cartridges.  Ideally, you dump your life to it once a week, and start the
> morning out each day with a refreshing snapshot of changes over the last 24
> hours.  (Using real backup software, not the stuff that comes with windows.)

Okay.  I have never used a Jaz drive.  Is it fast?  Is it reliable?  Is it 
subject to strange deteriorations like tape cartridges are?  (I don't 
even want to think about the time when I was reinstalling stuff from a 
tape drive and the tape jammed.  One of those moments when I did 
everything right and I still got slammed.

> There's also, if you've got the online access to handle it, which usually
> requires a flat rate plan, several interesting online solutions, where for a
> monthly fee, their software will scavange your disk for changes, encrypt
> and compress it, and upload it to a highly redundant server somewhere in
> the world, which can return it to you on demand.  I've been considering
> switching to one of those services with my laptop since I'm fairly often 
> on a lan, with good connectivity.

My life has more than enough monthly fees.  But I might have to look 
into this, too.  If you try it and it's wonderful, will you let me know?

Holly
         Holly Lisle -- never give up on your dreams
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