Proposal for "backup your data day"

[David Bailey]

no, that'll be just the agency muppets asking for 10 years experience even tho it had only just come out.

Ah, but you would say that, wouldn't you?

[Bangers & Mash]

Ah, but you would say that, wouldn't you?

I hold them in such high esteem!

you an agent?

[David Bailey]

I hold them in such high esteem!

you an agent?

No

Just implying you were an Evil Conspirator is all... I'll shut up now.

[bigdjiver]

It is not just a matter of making back-ups. They should be kept away from the machine so that they do not get lost or destroyed with it.

Allegedly the Belfast Co-op burned down. The Computer department was on the top floor. They kept their back-ups in a fire proof safe on the premises. That seemed to have been a dubious choice when looking at a pile of smoking rubble.

The owners explained how important the contents were to the salvage crew, the tapes had the records of most of the TV rentals in Northern Ireland on them.

They found the safe. The key had been left in the lock, and had broken off. So the salvage crew opened it ...

... with an Oxy-Acetylene torch ...

[bigdjiver]

Do you know where your data is?
Are you sure it'll be there tomorrow?
Is it time to make a backup?

Yes, I thought I knew all the answers to the questions above -- and then discovered how much difference a working hard drive makes...

It should be remembered that not all vital data is on disk. I have had the unfortunate task of trying to recover insurance and account information from a laptop after the owner died suddenly, leaving no record of his password. Despite all the advice never to write down your password, it should be recorded somewhere known and retrievable in an emergency.

It is a good idea to back up important documents too, using photocopies or scanned images. A few photos of your possessions saved somewhere off premises can help with insurance claims after fire or robbery.

[Divissima]

It is a good idea to back up important documents too, using photocopies or scanned images. A few photos of your possessions saved somewhere off premises can help with insurance claims after fire or robbery.

Can I add to this that you should keep your original will somewhere safe (preferably in a deeds store in a bank or with your local solicitor). If all that your relatives can find is a photocopy, that won't be enough. Same thing for any property deeds (less of a problem these days now that most residential property is registered land).

[Minnie M]

... with an Oxy-Acetylene torch ...

and the quote that follows :-

You're only supposed to blow the bl**dy door off