On 2/26/05 6:41 AM, "Peter Saint James" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I'm assessing back-up strategies to use while doing some extended > traveling. It seems that a portable external hard drive might be > better than trying to carry a stack of DVDs. Or is there a better > solution? > > One issue I'm weighing is stability. I can picture being momentarily > careless and getting the hard drive too close to a magnet or something. > Is this really an issue? > I've tried several solutions and I'm convinced that having backups while traveling will prevent disaster from occurring in the first place <grin> The only time disaster ever struck while traveling with a PowerBook was when I didn't have any backups with me.
Unless you are going to carry an iPod sized external drive that is powered via firewire you are adding significant weight and bulk to your suitcase. You are also almost certainly guaranteeing your suitecase will be hand searched and a small drive may prove tempting to the searcher - as might other valuables once the case is open. Thus speaks a traveler who just recently settled a theft claim from a June 2004 trip. If you do own an iPod you clone your system and the most important applications and data. The advantage is immediate recovery of your computer (assuming the death was caused by hard drive failure) and a quick repopulation of your drive (assuming the problem was data corruption rather than a bad drive). The disadvantage is the loss of space for music. Although I could go this route, I have chosen to use DVDs. I have created an emergency boot DVD that includes vital applications and data. I can restore my hard drive using this DVD in about an hour. I keep it in my computer bag all the time and since my data is stored in an encrypted Stuffit file I don't worry about data theft. Since much of my data will out of date when I travel I either make a new DVD with just the data (maybe adding applications that are needed for that trip) or put it on a flash drive. I always travel with a flash drive and transfer updated data files to it - including my email. Note: I don't worry about trying to carry a full restore for my computer while traveling, just what I'll need for the trip. david -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
