Words of Wisdom by MrWes

When it comes to backups, redundancy is a good thing.  Having more than one backup is like having a backup just in case “Plan B” fails.

Why would you have more than one backup of your data?

Backup data loss:

• Backup media failure – (DVD, TAPE)
• Backup hardware failure – (Hard Drive)
• Backup media/hardware theft

How would an experienced computer user answer?

• Do you backup your data?  (Yes/No) Yes = 25 points
• Is it automatic? (Yes/No) Yes = 25 points
• Where is your backup data located?  (Onsite/Offsite)  Offsite = 25 points
• Do you backup your backup? (Yes/No) Yes = 25 points

How would you score yourself?  Did you score 100?

Ways to Backup your Backup:

• Use 2 backup drives
• Use 1 backup drive & remote storage

Rotating your backups:

• Use a different external drive each week
• Take the other drive with you offsite
• Store the other drive in fire-proof safe
• when the week is over swap out the drive

If the data is more critical you can change the frequency from weekly to daily or have a different drive for different days of the week.

The point is to create multiple snapshots of your data so you can reconstruct your data with minimal data loss or downtime.

The time to do a backup is before you need it.  Many people think of data backups, but people rarely ever think about doing a system restore point.  If your system is running pretty good right now, you should do a system restore point.  The system restore point will save you much grief in the future.  When something happens to your system functionality you can restore back to the last known good system restore point.

Don’t just sit there, create a system restore point now before you need it.

Windows XP directions

Windows 7/Vista directions

Determining how successful a person depends on who you talk to.  If you ask 10 people what they think success is, you’ll probably get 10 different answers.  Each person you ask defines success based on different criteria.  Success might be based on the ideals of a leader, teacher, mentor, or family member.  It might be based on overcoming past experiences, achieving fame / wealth, or not repeating history.

World English Dictionary defines “succeed” as “to accomplish an aim, esp in the manner desired.”

World English Dictionary defines “successful” as “having succeeded in one’s endeavors.”

I like this definition.  Success is to accomplish the result we desired.

Is your definition of success based on what you or what others think you should accomplish?

Obstacles

Sometimes our efforts at success are met with obstacles.  A long time ago, I heard someone say that obstacles are there to see how committed we are to finish what we started.

Final thoughts

If you want to be successful, follow your heart.  Navigate the obstacles and accomplish the goals you have set for yourself.

Up until recently I have been capturing my thoughts and things to do using the Notes App in my iPhone or iPad.  The Notes App has been pretty effective with the added benefit of mobile me sharing this information across the different platforms.

iPhone <-> iPad <->Mac

When it comes to managing tasks, I have seen a few Apps that allow the user to Add, Organize & Prioritize their tasks.  I’m currently using EasyTask by OrionBelt.com LLC their website is www.orionbelt.com

The iPhone & iPad EasyTask Apps are free.  So far the iPad version has been working great for me.  If  you want to do an Online Sync (Share tasks between platforms) you have to purchase a Mac or Windows version.  At the time of this writing the software was $19.99.

Does anybody have opinions on EasyTask App or an alternative that will share tasks between iPhone, iPad & (Mac / PC)?

A few days ago, some friends and I were working on a budget and we needed to verify some numbers.  I thought I’d be really cool and whipped out my iPad.  Then I spent the next couple of minutes searching for a calculator on it.  It turns out there wasn’t one that shipped with my iPad.  When you visit the App Store you will see many different kinds of calculators ranging in price from FREE to $24.99.

I’m currently using the FREE version of Digits Calculator from shift-apps.  The developer website is www.shift-apps.com

if you own an iPad, make sure you find a Calculator App before you need one.