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David Mingay | all galleries >> Mynd Dagsins '15 >> Photo of the Day 2004 > Nov 25: Backup?
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25-NOV-2004 David Mingay

Nov 25: Backup?

How safe are YOUR backups? This poor CDR fell off my desk and got run over by my chair. OK, I knocked it off my desk, then I ran it over with my chair. Accidentally. It broke. There will come a time soon when we wonder what happened to all those pictures we took with our digital cameras. Meanwhile, prints can still be made from silver negs 100 years old... Makes you think.


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brother_mark29-Nov-2004 22:46
Oops. I hadn't considered this method of destroying my data on disk. Did you try reading it anyway? :) You could take your CD of images down to the right lab and have them "burn" 35mm film for you and then archive that. My lab is charging $9.50 per frame. Of course I'm not doing that...
galerius28-Nov-2004 00:51
OK virginiacoastline. First Google RAID. There are some inexpensive hot-swap HDD (hard drive) enclosures available, both USB and Firewire (see www.cooldrives.com) I use the two drive model. Then buy some spare HDDs (see zipzoomfly.com) Save the data to both drives (mirroring). For extra protection, store full drives in separate locations. Until they come up with a better way, this seems to be one of the best and least expensive ways to protect our commercial work especially. On disks mark only the centre clear section. GH (sorry David for using your gallery as a tech forum)
virginiacoastline27-Nov-2004 20:16
" HDD mirroring"???? what is THAT?? and Never use labels or ink?? How do I know what's on the goofy disks then??
Robin Reid27-Nov-2004 06:55
You make your point!!!!
galerius27-Nov-2004 00:23
Ouch!..... can you spell RAID. But seriously; after losing several disks worth of data a few years ago because of a reaction between marker ink and the disk dye, I now use only DVD disks (in addition to HDD mirroring) and never use labels or ink markers except on the clear centre of disk or the case. I learned the hard way not to place my trust in CDs for long term storage. Oh yea, another great shot David. I always stop bye hoping for more shots of the Lurker.
David Mingay26-Nov-2004 08:31
Hmmm - Sounds like Bruce is going to be one of those wondering where all his photos went...
Ray :)25-Nov-2004 22:28
Hope you have a spare to back this image up.
Guest 25-Nov-2004 22:05
Nothing lasts forever. Nothing. Might as well just accept it and get on with things.
northstar3725-Nov-2004 20:49
They were supposed to be nearly indestructible too when they first came out.