Technology

Technology

The Importance of Backing Up

I think at some point in this digital age (i.e. the last 15 years) everyone has
experienced the loss of a file or some digital content, whether important or trivial. If you were like me – it was IMPORTANT – and losing it sucked!

Now-a-days we have features like ‘auto-save’ that help out significantly but without the proper backup system in place anyone is at risk for epic loss.

There are many options for performing a backup. The three primary backup options are: a local backup on your hard-drive, backup on an external hard-drive and an online backup solution.

I personally use all three. But the one that I’m most excited about it and want to discuss here is the online backup solution “Dropbox”.

The beauty of Dropbox is that it basically operates as a mirrored online backup solution to whichever files you choose to include in your Dropbox (i.e. your Dropbox file folder) on your local computer. 

The setup and installation is a breeze. The operation, for me, is flawless… and it’s FREE! That’s right! For up to 2GB you can have a mirrored backup solution that’s totally free. You have the option of increasing the backup capacity of your dropbox to 50GB for $9.99/mo or 100GB for $19.99/mo.

Here’s how I use the 2GB Dropbox. First, the files on my computer are organized into a current vs archive type structure and my media (video & music) files are organized completely separately. Only my current project files are included in my Dropbox (My archive type files and media files are backed up on an external drive). Therefore, any project that I am currently working on is remotely backed up whenever I save a file in my Dropbox (and I click ‘save’ very very often!). What’s even more impressive is that I can download the dropbox program on any computer, ipad, iphone, droid (and probably most smartphones) and have access to most, if not all, the files in my Dropbox at any time! This is especially useful for me because I’m very mobile and work interchangeably  between my desktop and ipad, as discussed in my previous ipad blog.

If you’re looking for a rock solid backup solution, thinking about upgrading, or simply want a more sophisticated elegant solution you should definitely explore the Dropbox. Go to http://dropbox.com for more information.

Technology

Embracing Technology and Ultra Mobile Computing

I am a financial and web development consultant. I used to work on a beefed up MacBookPro laptop along with the help of such software as QuickBooks Pro, Thomson Reuters Ultra Tax CS, MS Excel & Word, Adobe Creative Suite 5 and others to surpass the needs of my clients and allow myself great portability – or so I thought.

Laptop are great aren’t they? Yes! Well… yes, except their battery life. When you want to be portable (to me portable is defined as the ability to move said object with ease), you want light, you want small.  Although MacBookPro laptops are light and relatively small, when add the laptop sleeve and power supply, their lightness seemingly disappears. I know this to be true because one of the benefits of being a consultant is setting my own hours, dressing however and working wherever I want… and that included carrying my MacBookPro laptop in a sleeve, in my backpack along with the power supply and bluetooth mouse on my fixed speed bicycle. After a while it felt like I was just carrying around a log. Not to mention the additional weight in the backpack from the bicycle lock and some necessary water for the days’ travels.

For awhile I was reading reviews of the iPad. I even went into the Apple Store to play with one to see if this could be the answer to my portability problems. At that time I could not wrap my mind around how I would be able to perform some of the ‘hard computing tasks’ that I am required to do (i.e. web development, accounting using QuickBooksPro, or working on a tax program.

Well, all that weight on my back while on my bike took its toll and I decided to jump head first into an ultra mobile computing workflow.  I purchased an iPad1. I was highly motivated to purchase the first version of the iPad once the iPad2 was released because of the significant reduction in prices on the original iPad!

I can honestly say that I couldn’t be happier with my decision to go Ultra Portable Ii.e. iPad and bluetooth keyboard). I love the instant on, lightweight, seemingly forever batter life and the power of the iPad. Yes, I said it… Power! The iPad is so extremely powerfully because of all the apps you can download. 

To overcome my ‘hard computing tasks’ fears that i previously had, I simply downloaded Logmein, on the iPad, and remote control my home desktop and perform whatever tasks I need. Logmein is the ultimate software to control a remote computer. The features within the software are fantastic. What helps me the most is the ability to reduce the screen quality to grayscale so that my control of the remote system is as if I were sitting in front of it – seamless!

In addition to Logmein, I have found web development within the iPad app Textastic to be the closest resemblance to Adobe Creative Suite’s Dreamweaver in the ultra portable space.

I am definitely not an Apple fan boy. In many ways I actually prefer the Android platform.  I believe I would be similarly happy with an Android tablet. It’s just (1) the price of an iPad; (2) I am already an iPhone user and; (3) I am immersed in the Apple Eco-System.

Grab an iPad today. I purchased mine from someone I found on Craigslist. It was in new condition!

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