Thank you for using Neighbourly
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.
There IS such a thing as a free lunch – this School Holidays at Centre Place! Grab a meal valued at $10 or more from any food retailer in the centre and visit the prize wheel in the food court where you could spin and win a free lunch – a $10 Centre Place gift card. So whether it’s a quick … View moreThere IS such a thing as a free lunch – this School Holidays at Centre Place! Grab a meal valued at $10 or more from any food retailer in the centre and visit the prize wheel in the food court where you could spin and win a free lunch – a $10 Centre Place gift card. So whether it’s a quick bite at the food court or a coffee catch up with a friend, your next lunch could be free! Available 16-29 April, but only at Centre Place.
For T&Cs visit centreplace.co.nz
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...
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
Auckland to Honolulu from $720 per person return.
Limited seats available over May and June, you will need to be fast!
Contact Steve on 027 345 3456 or swilson@hot.co.nz for further details on this or anything else travel.
Terms and conditions apply.
When it comes to volunteering, Hamilton student Grace Diggelmann has learned to walk the walk. The…
ANZAC services will be held in eight townships across Waikato district on 25 April this year.
A Civic Service will be held in the Ngaruawahia War Memorial Hall at 11am.
Dawn services at 6am will be held at the Field of Remembrance in Ngaruawahia and at the Huntly Cenotaph, and at 6.15am at … View moreANZAC services will be held in eight townships across Waikato district on 25 April this year.
A Civic Service will be held in the Ngaruawahia War Memorial Hall at 11am.
Dawn services at 6am will be held at the Field of Remembrance in Ngaruawahia and at the Huntly Cenotaph, and at 6.15am at the Te Kauwhata War Memorial. Times and places for assembling for parades prior to these dawn services can be found on the Waikato District Council website (see below).
Other commemorative services will be held in:
• Gordonton (starting at the Gordonton Hall at 10am),
• Maramarua & Districts (assembling at the Red Fox car park at 8.45am to march to the War Memorial Monument, or in the Maramarua Hall if wet, for a service at 9am),
• Raglan (Raglan Cenotaph at 11am),
• Taupiri (assembling at Bob Byrne Park at 9.30am to march to the War Memorial Hall),
• Te Kauwhata (assembling outside Suits & Gumboots at 10.30am to march to College Hall for a service at 10.45am), and
• Tuakau (Tuakau Memorial Hall at 11am).
More details with regards all these events can be found on the Waikato District Council website at: www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz...
For months, the East Timor jungle was a second home for Richie Peters and Vaughan Scrivener. They …
If you’re looking to sell and buy a home at the same time, it pays to know and understand what tools are available to you upfront. Download our free guide for answers to common questions:
- Should I sell first or buy first?
- How can I afford to buy, if I'm still waiting to sell?
- Can … View moreIf you’re looking to sell and buy a home at the same time, it pays to know and understand what tools are available to you upfront. Download our free guide for answers to common questions:
- Should I sell first or buy first?
- How can I afford to buy, if I'm still waiting to sell?
- Can I transfer our mortgage?
- What are important legal clauses to know?
- Am I looking in the right suburbs?
With this guide, you can march, rather than muddle, through the buying and selling process and get on with the business of enjoying your new home.
In this week's issue of Get Growing we have top tips on tidying up storm damage, harvesting pumpkins and herbs, out-slithering slugs and snails and taking cuttings from roses. We have a cracking feature on walnuts and we reveal the 2018 Resene Shed of the Year winners.
Subscribe now and … View moreIn this week's issue of Get Growing we have top tips on tidying up storm damage, harvesting pumpkins and herbs, out-slithering slugs and snails and taking cuttings from roses. We have a cracking feature on walnuts and we reveal the 2018 Resene Shed of the Year winners.
Subscribe now and you'll never miss another issue!
Get top tips on houseplant care and styling from gorgeous new book Leaf Supply, and enter our competition to win a copy, plus we also have other great prizes up for grabs!
We’ve laid out a vision for Hamilton’s next 10 years. Read our Consultation Document, and tell us what you think by 30 April 2018.
Was at Countdown just a minute ago and there’s this young idiot booting in the car that’s driving through the car park, next minute they’re fighting and the old Maori guy who got out of the vehicle has a bleeding face and getting bandaged up. The young guy and his smart mouth girlfriend carry… View moreWas at Countdown just a minute ago and there’s this young idiot booting in the car that’s driving through the car park, next minute they’re fighting and the old Maori guy who got out of the vehicle has a bleeding face and getting bandaged up. The young guy and his smart mouth girlfriend carry on walking past the work and income running their mouths so proud of themselves.. what a generation. And it’s sad to say that it’s my generation down that majority have no flippin respect for anyone. No consideration for the kids looking on.. or the elderly people breaking into tears watching on. Poor lady I hope she’s ok. She decided to get in her car and go home instead of shopping. What kind of role models are our children and grandchildren gona have. Very sad
We were so excited to see Mind Lab Kids turn one last week. It's been a fantastic year of home experiments, messy fun and video challenges. Help them celebrate by getting your 5-12 year old to take on an awesome STEM challenge over at MindLabKids.com. It's free!
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…