Save Often

5MB Seagate ST506 Winchester (circa 1980)

We asked an open question on Facebook recently to see when the last time people had backed up their hard drive. I was a bit surprised by the number of people who actually had – especially within the last month.

Backing up your hard drive may not be something you think about on a regular basis. It’s the equivalent of using that weird shaped brush to clean your refrigerator coils. I mean really, when was the last time you actually did that? And don’t get me started on dusting air vents.

But I digress.  Imagine a situation where you’re going about your day working along and whistling a happy tune.  Then *bloop*, you’re computer dies. You’re stunned. You’re shocked. You may start using words full of color as an expression of your frustration.  Then it slowly begins to sink in and you ask yourself “When was the last time I saved my work?”

When I was in design school, we lived by a simple motto – “Save Often.”

We had to. The work we were doing was very precise and trying to replicate it again was difficult and time consuming.  Why should this be any different? Whether it’s a spreadsheet, a blog, digitizing photos or music composition, the work you’re doing is of the utmost importance.

So “Save Often.”

Your digital life should get the same treatment as your work. Accidents are called accidents because they don’t happen on purpose.

So “Save Often.”

Backing up your hard drive may sound intimidating, but it really isn’t. In most cases, you can automate the process so while you’re in a blissful slumber, your computer is slowly gaining sentience preparing for the technological uprising all while saving your important data.  If you’re more of a “hands-on” type of person, you can go through a quick process to get things started while you catch up on the last few episodes of Desperate Housewives before the show ends it’s seven-year run.  There may be minor differences depending on your system, but everyone knows the importance of data storage (at least they better), so it’s much easier than you may think.

Regardless of what method you choose, “save often.”

So what are you waiting for? Go back up your hard drive today.

 

2012-05-11T15:19:17+00:00

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