Just got off the phone with a company that lost 5 weeks of client bookkeeping data because they didn’t have good backups, they aren’t very happy.
Here’s the scoop: just because you are swapping tapes doesn’t mean that you are actually getting a backup. You need to test the backup to make sure it is working. We have seen cases where the actual logs say that the backup was successful, but the backup data was actually corrupted. Here’s how to test your backups and make sure they are good:
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The Emcee’s voice rang out, “Your word is “de-main” also pronounced “de-mean”. Nice; either way I didn’t have a clue. Maybe I should have passed on that second glass of wine. “Can you give us the definition?” I asked, trying to buy a little time. Speculating on the language of origin and root word I played out several possible variations in my head. His voice broke through my reverie….“an estate or part of an estate occupied and controlled by the owner or manor house…. blah blah blah……….” . I conferred with my Dream Team partners and it soon became evident that none of us could do more than guess at the spelling of the word. Hesitantly the guy on my right picked up the microphone and took a stab. “D-E, pause, (so far so good),…M-E-I-G-N? he ended somewhat desperately.” Ding”, (went the little bell) “I’m sorry” said the Emcee…..”that was a tough one” and our short lived hopes of becoming the 2009 Family Learning Institute Spelling Champs faded to the sound of good natured applause.
Last Friday night 19 teams took to the stage in a “spell-off” fundraiser, benefitting Family Learning Institute, an organization that provides a supplemental academic program to low income students in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti who are performing below grade level, at no cost to the students. Their program incorporates tools for becoming successful learners and their track record tells the story of their success. (www.familylearninginstitute.org)
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Sitting around a campfire last weekend, I learned that Google has an application called Google Docs that allows users to build documents that are oh-so-similar to our favorite Microsoft Office docs for FREE. Ok… so I’m WAY out of the loop, but I’ve become hopelessly addicted to and trained to use the “gold standard.”
But then again, maybe you’re in the same boat as me, and didn’t know that Google was giving every person with a computer and internet connection access to free word processing, spreadsheets, form builder and presentation software — and has been since 2007.
What provoked my interest in this? My friend Marc’s whole office made the switch last week from Microsoft Office to Google Docs. “It was really a budget move,” he explained. “Non-profits really start to feel it when we have to upgrade.”
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This morning, when I sat down to breakfast (at my desk) I found this inside my yogurt container:
Well, not really in the container. Rather, it was inside of the label. I pulled the tab that said “Pull here for environmental information.” Naturally, I was intrigued. What is this? Now my yogurt comes with both nutritional and environmental information. What a treat!
Kroger’s Earth-consciousness got me thinking: if the Kroger brand can put this level of concern for the environment into their product line, why can’t we? So, on the distant heels of Earth Day, I’m proud to announce that YOU, blog-reader, will be the first to hear about Dynamic Edge’s eco-friendly office products!
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With the rapid progression of improvement in the tech world, a dramatic increase has also taken place in the amount of obsolete computer junk being dumped into landfills. Whether people don’t know where to recycle their unwanted electronics, or proper facilities just don’t exist in certain areas, this non-biodegradable and often toxic waste is seriously adding up — and posing a recognizable threat for future generations.
In an effort to discourage technology dumping, many technology manufactures and retailers like HP, Sony, Toshiba, Best Buy, T-mobile and Dell are offering recycling rebates and other incentives for their eco-friendly customers. We’re happy to announce that on Saturday, May 2, 2009, Dell will be hosting a regional recycling event at their campus for the greater .
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Ever get tired of searching around your desktop or program menu to find a shortcut to your most-frequently used applications? Maybe you’ve tried Object Dock and Launchy, but neither of those is really working for you. Wouldn’t it just be easier if you could start these apps without having to click on an icon?
Here’s an idea: why not create your own keyboard shortcuts? It might sound a bit technical — but trust us, it’s easier than you’d think. You’ll end up saving tons of time throughout your workday! Walk through theses steps and click along… you’ll see how simple it is to create quick keyboard shortcuts that will instantly launch your favorite applications!
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