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Waikato Club Rugby Premier division: Morrinsville Sports As versus Hamilton Old Boys As Morrinsvil…
The dream start for Te Aroha Cobras football teams came to an abrupt end over the weekend, with thre…
As I write this on my 10" laptop, my desktop computer is packing a sad. Suddenly the hard drive failed to write a few things to disk, and as it rebooted I saw the all-too-familiar screed of errors indicating imminent failure or data loss. I immediately stopped and took time to backup my … View moreAs I write this on my 10" laptop, my desktop computer is packing a sad. Suddenly the hard drive failed to write a few things to disk, and as it rebooted I saw the all-too-familiar screed of errors indicating imminent failure or data loss. I immediately stopped and took time to backup my existing data to an external drive before more damage occurred. The fact that I didn't have all of my data regularly backed-up speaks volumes about my own hypocrisy; I regularly prompt clients to back up their data. Why? Because hard drives have lifespans and you don't know how long they are.
Often referred to in the tech industry as 'spinning rust' hard drives, magnetic hard drives have been the main storage devices inside modern computers for 3 decades. They work well, last a reasonably long time and are relatively reliable. But even so, 10% of all hard drives fail within the first 3 years of use, 20% within the first 4 years, while most fail after 6 years of use (source: Backblaze, an online data warehouse). For some it seems inconceivable that these devices which we rely upon so much could spontaneously decide to die.
But they do, and so you need to have your data in more than one place; ideally at all times. When I say data, I mean whatever documents, photos, etcetera that you have which are not stored online in some form, and that you would be at a loss without. The simplest solution is to buy an external drive (either a USB thumb drive or something a little larger depending on how much data you've got) and copy your important data to that. You can do that manually, or most operating systems (eg. Windows or MacOS) have built-in backup solutions which work pretty effectively.
You might think that a new storage mechanism will come along and solve this problem indefinitely. Unfortunately not: solid state hard drives, for example, are quicker but less reliable. The closest we've come to that goal is tape, but tape drives are expensive, and uncommon as a result. An external drive that is not plugged into the computer for most of the time will have a pretty good lifespan, provided you don't drop it or decide to feed it icecream someday. I have hard drives which're still going after 10 years - but they are the minority.
There's also some concept that with the internet 'your data is forever' and so we can stop worrying about losing things. That's not really true; the lifetime of your data online is the lifetime of the company which stores it. And if there's anything which the early 2000's dot-com crash taught us it's that no online company is insoluble. So don't rely on Facebook being around in 15 years time (even though it probably will be) to store your photos.
If there's something important to you, in the physical world as well as the virtual world, you need to take care of it. The procedure for doing that in the virtual world is to create copies. I'm not sure how well that works in the physical world, but I'll get back to you once the prototype cloning machine in my shed gets a council permit.
- Matt Bentley is a computer repair expert with Waikato Home PC Support.
Email info@homepcsupport.co.nz or phone 0211348576. www.homepcsupport.co.nz...
Hey neighbours,
Have you heard Transport Minister Phil Twyford's views on wheel clamping? He says it either needs to be banned or regulated - and he was working on legislation to see it banned. What are your thoughts? To read more, click here.
Are you a pet lover looking for an alternative to domestic cats and dogs?
Farm-style animals like chickens, goats, and even pigs, are gaining in the pet popularity stakes, but have specific needs and regulations you need to be aware of. … View moreAre you a pet lover looking for an alternative to domestic cats and dogs?
Farm-style animals like chickens, goats, and even pigs, are gaining in the pet popularity stakes, but have specific needs and regulations you need to be aware of. Here's what you need to know about keeping them in residential areas.
Post-earthquake demolition has pushed a Wellington landfill into new areas – creating an unfortunate…
The splendour of the Elysee Palace was on full display, the Republican Guard in their finery, to wel…
Taxpayers are being asked to fork out $25 million to help pay for the $165m construction cost of Sir…
Neighbours of a neglected and vandalised hotel on a Christchurch main street have called for action …
Teachers said her son didn't have autism, he was poorly behaved, and she was a bad parent. Sarah Bl…
Hi all. By now you would have received a letter from HCC showing your new rates rises should the budget go ahead and be accepted in June.
I have been opposed to this budget when I saw what was happening back in March 2017. I work for my people and my city, this budget does not.
I was the only … View moreHi all. By now you would have received a letter from HCC showing your new rates rises should the budget go ahead and be accepted in June.
I have been opposed to this budget when I saw what was happening back in March 2017. I work for my people and my city, this budget does not.
I was the only elected member who voted against the consultation document. It doesn't tell you the whole picture and that's not OK with me. It paints a picture of doom and gloom that is simply not true. But now I ask you to please, please put in a public submission so YOU can tell Council what you think. Submissions can be done online or, you can simply send an email, you can even pick a paper copy up from any library. Don't sit back in silence, I haven't been silent, so use this opportunity. I know this is public office and public money, but you need to remind Council of that fact. Let your thoughts be known. Find me on Facebook for more info and daily updates on the proposed budget. Submissions are open till 30th April, and please pass this message on, it's critical Council hears from now😊
Angela O'Leary
Hamilton City Councillor
www.angelaoleary.co.nz...
It's been 60 years since the Piako Gliding Club was formed, but Lew Hale remembers it like it was ye…
Hi there do you have possums that you want gone from your farm or no someone with a farm. My husband is looking for land that he can possum shoot on if you can help please send me a message.
Thanks
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