OT: Words of sympathy for a fellow HSMTTer?

[WarDekar]

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Does anyone have any recommendations as to the best/safest online storage sites? Assume you want to store a lot of stuff (giant Pokertracker databases etc)

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Rent a cheap server (cheapest possible if it doesn't matter to you) with tons of storage from some network center

[Soulman]

OP,

don't know how good the computer tech guy is. I've been able to retrieve lost data from a crashed hard disk myself via using a Knoppix boot cd. Knoppix is a linux-based operative system, pretty easy to use.

In general, backup of data can be done through several means:
- On cd/dvd. Ok for users without a lot of data, and mainly non-sensitive data.
- External hard drive. Cheap and easy to use (connects via USB). Can be automated via various software.
- Netbased storage. Most secure alternative, possibly a bit more hassle (haven't used any myself).

If you're a student, you probably have access to a file area on your uni? If so, use that for backup, and do backups after each and every day of work. In fact, I would store my stuff there and rather use my laptop for backups...at least if your uni storage has backup routines available (which I assume they do).

When I taught classes about basic backup and thesis', I recommended the following:
* Use uni file storage as main system.
* Use versioning, so if you happen to e.g. save over one of your documents, you can easily retrieve them yourself (saves the hassle getting backup from servers).
* Keep a copy on your home computer/laptop. Backup to these less often, say once a week.
* If you're really, really paranoid, e-mail yourself copies as well. Don't bother sorting these, just keep as backup if [censored] really hits the fan.

Follow this, and if you still manage to lose your files...well, chances are you're dead anyway due to massive nuclear bombing or the like [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Mench]

thanks so far for all the advice guys.

the technician was able to recover some files from another class that I used the same material for. So I have some stuff. But he thought he had the right folder, got me really excited and then realized he did in fact recover the folder but the documents were not in it. still trying to be optimistic though its not my strongest point.