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Posts Tagged ‘backup’

Learn more about the tiniest of data backup devices – Flash memories

September 18th, 2009

One different type of external hard disk for backup is very useful for backup, but it is not a hard drive in the way we use to know it. It is a hard drive that is quick yet quiet and without moving parts. It is an external hard drive that is easy to disconnect and carry around. It is what is called a flash memory device or you may have heard it with other names such as a memory stick, pen drive, SD card, or memory card. But the flash memory device is basically a unit memory unit that is capable of transfer rates of up to 18 GB per hour and has the benefit to be non-volatile, unsusceptible to magnetic interference, lightweight, and compact. It never the less has a very real security problem for some type of businesses. There are several options for making backup on a PC to recover data. You can backup on external hard drives, PC tape backup utility, DVD-RW and online. But memory flash is the most easy and convenient to use memory gadget there is.

There are flash memory drives in several different shapes but the device most in use is a memory clip with a cap that protect the USB port when it is not in use, which is so tiny to fit in a pocket. The stored data doesn’t vanish, when you disconnect the memory drive from the computer. The flash memory uses a chip technology based on further development of the old EEPROM chips technology. The BIOS firmware in PCs use EEPROM data chips when computers boot up.

Data transfer to the flash drive is slower than with the more common hard disk drives but much quicker than with DVD or CD. These tiny data devices are great for doing quick backups of folders on your laptop or PC at work so that you can transport the information to another PC because the “drive” usually just fits in your pocket.

The convenience the flash drives offer with its small size and mobility has a weakness. One drawback is that it is easy to forget about and if it remains inside a pocket in your clothes which has been washed in a washing machine, it’s lost (although, in some occasions if you dry your clothes, they have been known to still be working). The mini size makes it also easy to lose track of when you are searching for a change and need to pay for something.

A dilemma that many companies have is with security of information with these types of data devices. Just picture how easy it is to store sensitive personal data information on a flash memory device only to have it lost and in the possession of a wrong person. This is the reason that, many departments have policies prohibiting general employees from bringing in personal flash drives for use on company computers.

One extra plus from having flash devices is that support technicians are capable to store the operating system such as Windows XP on a flash drive. This memory drive then be kept as an extra startup drive for the Windows computer if the hard disk refuse to boot. An essential thing to investigate is that not every PC can use an USB data device as a startup device for the BIOS by setting it as a primary startup drive. Some PC’s lack the support for using the USB drive as a primary boot drive ,which you have to check out.

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Technology Basics (1-5) for Home-Based Businesses

May 30th, 2009

Technology is critical for any home-based business, especially for online marketing businesses. Frequently, however, internet marketing newbies don’t understand what kind of technology is required or how it will affect their businesses.

Implementing these five technologies are critical to the success of your home business.

The Basics

  1. If you’re going to do internet marketing (IM), you’ll clearly need a computer of some sort – preferably one of your own, either a desktop model or a laptop.Your computer should have plenty of memory, speed and the capacity to connect to the internet.Don’t use dial-up if you can help it; dial-up is too slow.
  2. A domain name that you own, so that you can begin to establish your own brand.Some advertisers will not permit you to use an Affiliate website, so you’re much better off having your own domain name.Domain names make a difference – pick a good one (short, meaningful and reflective of your business or product).  The most popular names end in “.com”. This is preferred, when available, for most internet marketing businesses.
  3. You’ll need a web hosting service to provide a “home” for your website.Many web hosting companies are available to service home businesses and internet marketers.Shop around before making your decision, as vendor services and costs do vary.
  4. You’ll also need good security for your systems and data.Use a variety of security techniques including physical security as well as firewalls and security programs like McAfee or Norton.
  5. Another necessity is backup for your local programs and data.Regardless of the best laid plans, there will come a time when your system crashes, and you suffer either partial or complete loss of data and key programs.  Consequently, you will also need a rigorous backup and restore capability.

Beware Murphy’s Law: you need to prepare for the eventual breakdowns and system crashes that will occur.  Implementing all these basic technologies will help ensure the success of your online business .

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