Thanks to all who commiserated with me about my recent hard drive crash on my new iMac. It made for quite an exciting couple of days!
Final report:
I got all my data back, except for everything in Outlook. That includes current and archived emails, contacts and calendar information.
This is not all of my information from the beginning of time, but rather the last few months, when I switched from PC to Mac.
So … if you sent me an email recently and have not heard back … would you mind resending? My email address is still the same, pcs (at) ganas (dot) com.
I will be sending a special note to all of my Escape from Cubicle Nation Advisory Council members who had submitted wonderful anecdotes and information for the book, which are now freely cavorting with each other in the "land of the lost files." (To find out more about my book advisory council — details here — I encourage you to sign up!)
I have forever sworn off Outlook and now am now a happy user of gmail. I am busy incorporating gmail lifehacking tips from Gina Trapani’s book Upgrade Your Life which I will blog about soon, as it is full of wonderful information.
Although losing data is never fun, in a strange way, I feel lighter, more free and excited about my new computer work environment. I don’t believe in accidents, so maybe this is part of a divine plan to make sure I have the most streamlined, secure and flexible work infrastructure possible.
Oh, and you can bet I will be backing up my files 3 different ways every day.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Special note to Peter (last name?) who left a message today on the Martha Beck blog post "Do you HAVE to do anything?" I accidentally deleted your wonderful comment! We got sprayed by tons of "online poker and casino" spam, so in my haste to delete a bunch, I deleted yours. I felt heartsick, as I loved the comment! If you have the thoughts to share again (it was about your realization that you don’t HAVE to read all your RSS feeds), I would be so appreciative if you would re-post them. If not, know that I really loved your example and encourage you to keep the good thoughts going. 🙂
One more who thinks “you have an iMac, use Apple’s software and be happy”.
Sorry for the problems. And go on with your work!!
Thank you
silta
On the subject of file backup, sharing and storage …
Online backup is becoming common these days. It is estimated that 70-75% of all PC’s will be connected to online backup services with in the next decade.
Thousands of online backup companies exist, from one guy operating in his apartment to fortune 500 companies.
Choosing the best online backup company will be very confusing and difficult. One website I find very helpful in making a decision to pick an online backup company is:
http://www.BackupReview.info
This site lists more than 400 online backup companies in its directory and ranks the top 25 on a monthly basis.
Make sure you don’t entirely trust GMail to not lose your data. They have had a few hiccups along the way and the worst ones resulted in data loss for some people.
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That’s a good reminder Mark! Sounds like every system should have a backup of a backup.
This is all good stuff for the book — I really appreciate all the comments.
All the best,
-Pam
Pam
I love your business savvy… but like Chris, gotta believe that the universe is trying to tell you something.
I cannot image using outlook, but especially not on a Mac. The Mac mail client with integration to address book and iCal are way more intuitive, plus it syncs nicely with my iPod touch!
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I know I know Jeff, it makes no sense how I was doing it. I am a quick study in some things and a very slow learner in others. Oh well — good stories! 🙂
-Pam
-ski
Akismet is the default Wordpress anti-spam plugin. For a self hosted blog you have to get a free API key from Wordpress.com.
If that doesn’t work for you try the Spam Karma WP plugin.
Congrats on Escaping Microsoft Nation. Many of us will never escape it because we still have to test IE.
Look at your hard drive failure as your Mac’s way of purging the Microsoft scourge from your life forever. 🙂
Congratulations on your liberation!
Pam, you could reduce the blog spam with bcSpamBlock. http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/bcspamblock/.
I’ve added it to some of my blogs, with great success. It doesn’t require captcha’s or anything like that but eliminates almost all of the spam–for me anyway.