With apologies to Lennon and McCartney, you may have seen this parody of their song “Yesterday” regarding backups..
Yesterday, All those back-ups seemed a waste of pay. Now my source files have all gone away. Oh I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly, There’s not half the files there used to be, And there’s a milestone hanging over me. The system crashed so suddenly.
I pushed something wrong What it was I could not say. Now all my data’s gone and I long for yesterday-ay-ay-ay.
Yesterday, The need for back-ups seemed so far away. I knew my data was all here to stay, Now I believe in yesterday.
Although the parody is clever, anyone who has lived through the loss of data and the enormous amount of time wasted trying to recover valuable information doesn’t feel very clever after the fact. If this hasn’t happened to you and you are still not performing back-ups then be warned, it is only a matter of time.
So unless you want to be singing this sad refrain you need to back up your data.
There are a number of options available for you: A second hard disk - If you install a second drive that is the same size as your existing disk you can copy or “mirror” the data onto the second drive. Although the price of hard disks is falling and mirroring disks is relatively easy, having all your data on one machine leaves you vulnerable to any issues that render that computer unusable, including theft.
Recordable Media - Computers are now being shipped without floppy disk drives and even if they were still included the amount of data that is being backed up is too much for these to be of any value. The next level up from floppy disks, Zip disks, has now given way to recordable CDs (CD-Rs), and recordable DVDs (DVD-Rs). CD-Rs can hold up to 700 MB of data and DVD-Rs can hold up to 8.5 GB. Depending upon the size of the data that you want to back up these may be acceptable, however you could end up spending a lot of time burning an increasing number of disks as the size of your data increases.
Tape Back-Up - data is written onto a tape. The amount of data on a tape can vary from hundreds of kilobytes to several gigabytes. Just as the amount of data can vary, so can the speed of transfer. Online back-up services allow you to upload your data over the internet to a server at a remote location. If you lose data and need to restore, you log onto the back-up service site and download your files. Because you are restoring over the Internet, backup and restoration speed can be a function of your connection speed. Of course you will need to have Internet access to restore. Some companies are still wary of having all of their business data residing on a machine that is not under their control. Software back-up programs like the one that comes bundled with WindowsXP, or that can be purchased separately ( Norton ) are not replacements for the other methods, however, they do automate the process by sending your data to the location that you choose.
Once you have decided on you method of back-ups there are a few other items that you need to think about as well. What do you back-up? how often and where do you store the data? Who in your organization is responsible for making it happen? It is best to have a back-up done every day of your most important files. You may even copy these more often if the amount and value of the data warrants it. Three different back-up types that you should be familiar with are:
A Full Back-up, like the name implies, contains all the files and folders that are to be backed up. This is the most complete, and the easiest back-up to restore from due to the fact that everything you need is included (if done properly). The reason this in not usually done every time is the amount of time it takes to do. You need to be aware that if this back-up was accessed it would have all of your data on it, so it is imperative that these are handled with care. These are often stored in a secure location off site in case something happens to the building.
A Differential Back-up contains files that have changed (are different) from the time of the last full back-up. An Incremental Back-up stores all the files that have changed since the last back-up whether that is a full, differential or incremental back-up. This back-up is completed the fastest, however restoring from a number of incremental back-ups will take longer than restoring from a full back-up. Most companies use a combination of full, differential and incremental back-ups in an effort to balance the data security with the amount of time invested in the process. No matter which of the options you choose, it is important to know that you do not have a back-up solution until you have successfully restored your data from the back-up. I know of a person who faithfully performed back-ups every day. When the computer crashed and it was time to restore, this person was crushed to learn that the only thing that was being backed up was the icon to the program. Once again, until and unless you have successfully restored from your back-up solution, you do not have a solution.
Gaming laptops used to only be attainable from specialist companies. Though they didn’t shift a significant deal they still made the most in relation to other styles of notebook. Surely I could confidently say everyone wanted one though. They were like the pinnacle of what was capable with notebook computer technology, the best laptops about. They would create a lot of excitement but I don’t believe many people would go out and buy laptops at high prices. Things look set to change though because now the gaming notebooks sector has attracted the attention of bigger brands.
These are certainly high margin notebook computers for the global brands and they are aware of it. It is certainly a good way to larger profits. In addition they are aware they can sway us to buy laptops like these more easily than small companies. I reckon smaller system builders are extremely perturbed regarding this. The high end technology will quickly forge its way into the view of the everyday customers. In my opinion if anybodies decided to part with a lot of money the established brand always comes out on top.
The companies new laptops are receiving a large amount of praise as being the best laptops from the media. This is one opportunity the local system builders should utilise to their advantage. This is a massive sales proposition that must be mentioned. These purchasers have the technical know how and can decide which notebook computers are best. The tech specs are of great significance for this type of buyer. All gamers concur that it is a favourable situation. I would predict a few price wars taking place in this market after the early stages. Even though that’s my take on it, its just my opinion and probably not what will occur. Technology is always getting better and the new units should normally be high priced on launch. I reckon we will have to see whether this overcrowding produces any big benefits for gamers.
Network marketing is a business model based on the concept of leverage that is being endorsed by Robert Kiyosaki……
“If I had to do it all over again, rather than build an old style type of business,
I would have started building a network marketing business.”
Robert Kiyosaki
Some people get network marketing confused with pyramid schemes. Pyramids without products where only money is exchanged are illegal and have given network marketing a bad name.
However, the pyramid shape…..is the shape all business takes….. in traditional business you have a CEO at the top….then a President…..then maybe a few Vice Presidents….and so on down the chain….to the lowly guy in the company mail room…..
That kind of business model is DELEGATIONAL….. and the CEO at the top makes more money then the Vice Presidents below……and the VP’s make more money than the folks below…..etc etc on down the chain….
In network marketing…..though this business model is pyramid shaped……everyone has an equal opportunity .
Why?…..because of leverage…..in fact, a good definition of Network Marketing is the single word, leverage. If you want to go to point B from Point A….. wouldn’t you get there faster if you had help? Another way to say it…. can you effectively and efficiently reach Point B working alone? Or would you reach Point B faster with a network of people helping you? Those “helpers” represent LEVERAGE to get to Point B . In terms of work, wouldn’t 100 people, each working 20, 30 or 40 hrs a week, be able to accomplish more than one person working 40 hrs a week? Network marketing gives you the ability to leverage other people’s efforts for mutual benefit.
The beauty of network marketing is everyone in the network has the same opportunity; an equal opportunity to get from point A to point B, as you do. In fact…. if any of them work harder or smarter than you do, they can get to point B before you do!
Network marketing incorporates leveraging of TIME and WORK EFFORT.
Probably the best explanation of leverage is illustrated in a quote by J. Paul Getty, who created one of the world’s greatest fortunes:
“I would rather make 1 percent on the efforts of 100 people than 100 percent on my own efforts.”
The free enterprise system is exemplified in the network marketing business model. By educating and coaching the people downline, you help them grow their businesses which are part of your business. Network marketing is a collaborative approach to business. It is smart, efficient, fair, and a win:win for all parties who are willing to learn and grow and help others to do the same.
How many people today feel very confident about their financial future? How secure is yours? Much of the population is worried about their company downsizing. How content are you with your current situation? Many people wish they had more autonomy . How much freedom do you have? Do you have the freedom to choose your days off? Are you still working at a job which subjects you to “performance evaluations”? What if you found a way to create a higher quality of life without risking your current situation? Would you be interested? If so, network marketing may be the vehicle to create the life you desire.
Pam Murphy,B.S.,RRT has a thriving network marketing wellness business and is completing a Masters in Holistic Nutrition. http://prohealthlife.goldenkeys.net
