Backup Your Precious Data

Computers, for better or worse, are now integrated into our lives. In this article I will outline some of the devices available to backup your data so that when your pc fails you will not lose your precious data.

Purchasing A Backup Device.
This is the most obvious but seldom done step to ensuring you can recover from computer failure. Backup devices come in many flavours but the primary three I will deal with are : USB keys, USB external Hard drives, and Network attached Hard drives.

USB Keys.
USB keys can store up to 8 gigabytes of data. That’s about 8 cd’s worth of data. If you have a large music or video collection a usb key may not have enough space to store your data. USB keys are small and easily lost!

USB External Hard Drive.
There is a huge selection available starting at around €90. Be careful and don’t buy the cheapest model as you will be relying on this device when your computer fails. Avoid the large capacity models, 750 gigabyte and over, as these drives need proper cooling and I’ve found that many of the cheaper models have no fan and overheat and fail. You must connect the drive to each computer you wish to backup and this can be a disadvantage if you have more than one pc in the house.

Network Attached Hard Drive.
These Hard drives are designed to run continuously and are normally attached to your broadband router. They offer the ideal solution for backup as any networked computer in the home can access and store information on the drive. You can also use them to store music and videos and thus reduce bloat on your pc. Remember if you store data on the drive and nowhere else you need to backup the drive to another device.

Backup Software
You can simply copy your information to your backup device but if your device comes with backup software I advise you to take advantage of it. Backup software normally allows for both scheduled unattended backups and also allows you to keep multiple copies of your data. Thus if you accidentally delete a file you can retrieve it from one of copies stored on your external device. Most of the external backup drives come with backup software included.

Conclusion:
Take the time to secure your data and I can assure you that in the future you will be glad you did.

New Cheaper Computers For Christmas

Amid all the doom and gloom of the recession some solace can be found in the arrival of the new “netbook” computers priced at well under €500. This month’s article should help you understand the pros and cons of these new machines.

Netbook Overview
Netbooks are designed primarily for Internet related functions and are aimed at the light duty computer user. Their primary role is to provide internet browsing, email and light duty office functions. They are not suitable for ITunes or music users, nor are they capable of storing or playing dvds/cds.

Advantages Of Netbooks
Netbooks have the following advantages over traditional computers.
Speed: Netbooks typically boot and are available for use in less than 1 minute. Netbooks do not use traditional hard disk drives and the operating system and data are stored on the build-in non-volatile memory which is quicker than traditional hard drives.
Size/Weight: The Netbooks are much smaller and lighter than your traditional laptop. Screen sizes are 9” and 12” inch and they easily fit in a standard briefcase.
Durability: With no moving parts the Netbook can take much more punishment than a traditional laptop. The Achilles heal is the screen which is exactly the same as a traditional laptop so don’t be mislead into thinking you can throw these units around.
Cost: With prices starting at as low as 250 euro you can get yourself online and browsing quite cheaply.
Maintenance: Netbooks come in two flavours Windows XP Home or Linux. The Linux models are virtually impervious to virus attack so if you purchase one you will save on anti-virus software and are much less likely to be hit by spyware infections. The caveat with Linux is that Windows based programs will not work under Linux. The Linux models are cheaper than the Widows versions and if you just want to browse the internet and send some email then opt for the Linux version.

Disadvantages Of Netbooks
Screen Size: The 9” and 12” screen sizes may be too small for those of you with poor eyesight. Even those with good eyesight will find using the 9” models tiring.
Expandability: Netbooks use non-volatile memory to store both the operating system and your data and as such you do not have much capacity for storage of your data. You can add an external hard drive if you desire but these cost around 90-120 euro.
Functionality: Netbooks have neither the storage capacity nor the processing power to handle large volumes of music or video. Because they are not equipped with either a cd or dvd drive you’ll need to purchase an external CD/DVD player if you want to play or use cd/dvds on your netbook.

Make Calls For Free On The Internet

This month I will explain the process of using your pc to make free calls over the internet. With a little planning you could save a ton of money off your telephone bill using this technology.

Hardware You Will Need
Your computer must be equipped with sound output (Speakers or a headset) and a microphone to make calls. You can also purchase a special phone which hooks directly to your pc for around €30. Most webcams have a built-in microphone but the quality may not be the best. The quality of the telephone calls will be determined by the speed and reliability of both your and the called parties broadband and the quality of the sound hardware used. If you don’t have the necessary hardware the suppliers of the software will sell you the hardware but you will find you can get a better deal elsewhere.

Software You Will Need
There are many products now providing this service including Skype, Oovoo, Voipstunt and MSN. The most popular seems to be Skype but some of the less popular products may suit you better. Oovoo, for example, provides three way video conferencing which you may find more attractive but be aware this requires that all parties have good high speed broadband connections and webcams.

What it Costs
Calls made pc to pc are free. To call your friend they must have the same software installed as you. Thus you can’t use Skype to make a pc call to an Oovoo user. When you download and install the software you pick a unique id and this id serves to identify you and enable others to call you using the free service. With Skype and Oovoo there is no limit to the amount of time you can talk on the free pc to pc service. You are only charged when you make a call to a landline or mobile using the service. Be aware that the quality of calls made to landlines and mobiles can be very poor at times and in some cases you will hang up due to the poor quality. The cost for making non-free calls is very inexpensive. Skype for example charges 2 cent a minute to call USA phones from Ireland.

Conclusion
With little or no investment you can save yourself some serious money on your telephone bill but be aware that you should use these services as an additional option and not as a substitute for a regular landline or mobile phone. These products should never be relied on for emergency services.

Need Help Setting Up Your Sound Hardware ? Vist My Help Pages. Click Here

Oliver Reidy is a computer technician and has been in the industry since 1981.You can contact him via email at help.desk@reidyonline.com or at these telephone numbers 041.988.7526/087.797.0740.