Posted by: thepinetree on 05/02/2009 09:06 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 05/18/2009 12:20 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Computer Advice From the Computer Firemen ~By Kris Jack
San Andreas, CA...What’s in today is gone tomorrow. With the fast pace that technology has set for us, it can be difficult to keep up. In an effort to make this easier for you, and to highlight some very useful information, we will be publishing a bi-weekly column on thepinetree.net. I am Kris Jack, a computer guy from my youth and co-founder of Computer Firemen, along with my beautiful wife, Sarah...
Four and a half years ago we realized that many people preferred to have their computers worked on in their home or office rather than to drop it off with a technician. Our business was born and it has been an exciting and challenging journey ever since.
We have a variety of specialities including:
• Computer repair
• Hardware
• Software
• Virus and/or spyware removal
• Networking
• File and printer sharing
• Multi-Location linking
• DSL and Cable high-speed internet set-up
• Wireless Networks
• Security
• Excellent quality new computers at very competitive prices
• Graphic Design
For ease of use and convenience, we can set you up with a website that you can update yourself and give your website the visibility it deserves through search engine optimization. Business cards, post cards, posters, envelopes and letterheads are personally created to suit your company’s needs and offer you a look that you will be proud to use!
What We Will Be Discussing
In this column, you’ll learn the tech tips that allow you to get the most out of the technology available to you, advice to help get you out of a bind, pitfalls to avoid, links to wonderful websites that provide useful tools or information, and the best practices to keep your data safe.
We will also include the answers to one or two of our reader’s questions. To submit, please email us at advice@computerfiremen.com.
This Week: Backups
An essential component of any computer system is the back-up system and most people are not doing them frequently enough to do much good. It is estimated that 80% of all computer users do not have a recent backup of their important data.
We have found that the only backups that are consistently done are the automated ones. There are a handful of self-disciplined individuals out there who do this manually, but they are rare. Most people know that they should be backing up, but have a hard time finding the time or the know-how to get the task done. When was the last time you backed up your data? Imagine what could be lost.
By not keeping a regular back-up system you risk losing photos, documents, emails, contact information and financial information which could leave you desperately up the proverbial creek without a paddle. There are a slew of factors that can leave your data at risk. The most common possibilities for data loss are data corruption, viruses, accidental deletion, power surges or brown outs, and even fires. However, you have options. These days there are a multitude of mediums to back your data up on. You can use CD’s, DVD’s, flash drives, external hard drives and even online back-ups.
It doesn’t have to cost you a fortune to ensure that you are protected. Syncback is a freeware program that can work with all of the above mentioned back-up mediums and can even be scheduled to run automatically. To download SyncBack Freeware to your computer go to http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware.
The best backup program I have found is Acronis True Image Home ($50), which works with all above mentioned mediums except online back-ups and it can be scheduled to do automatic full computer backups and also incremental backups. To purchase Acronis go to http://www.acronis.com/.
If you have any questions about backing up your data, email us at service@computerfiremen.com and we will help you get started. If you prefer, you can call us toll free at 877-TECH-209 (877-823-4209) or check out our website at www.computerfiremen.com.
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