Entries from January 2008 ↓

In the course of writing this blog I will attempt to point to others who are doing good work on the data backup blogging front. This is, as you might imagine, a rather small front, but I think it’s important. Data backup, while not the attention grabber that Hollywood harlots, technophilia or sexual deviancy are in the online universe, is a significant topic that deserves more attention.

Unfortunately the topic of backup is a somewhat dry one, and it takes a talented writer to hold the attention of any reader, even those of us with a vested interest. Fortunately, my first fellow backup blogger to be recognized, is just such a writer.

According to her archives, Sallie Goetsch has been writing the FileSlinger Backup Blog since 2003. Throughout she has dedicated the blog to a weekly “backup reminder” intended to encourage readers to attend to their backups at least once a week. In this reminder Sallie gives us insights on software, hardware, maintenance, recovery and much more.

I have been reading her blog for almost a year now and have been impressed, entertained and educated. Though I myself work for a backup software company, I am constantly gaining new insights and finding new information to explore through reading her weekly posts.

Head on over and check out the FileSlinger blog. If you like what you see, subscribe to her RSS feed and tell her I sent you.

As a side note, I will admit that writing this post makes me nervous because it increases the odds that Sallie will find and read my blog. I fear the grammer-police brutality that may follow.

Disclaimer: Sallie once reviewed ION, a Universe Point product, but don’t worry, she has proven highly resistant to bribery.

Well, actually, the title of this post is somewhat misleading. Howie, being an accident-prone, oversized, easily-distracted hard drive, is actually not much of a blogger. With that in mind he has chosen me to be his “ghost writer”. So, much in the vein of many politicians, movie stars and romance novel authors, Howie’s thoughts and ideas will be produced by the hands and mind of another. He assures me that his creative input will be a great help in updating this blog, but I have my doubts. After all, the last time I saw him he was wandering into a bar.

Anyway, my name is Nic Darling and I will be acting as Howie’s voice in this blog designed to explore all things backup. We will cover topics from hardware and software to data disasters of all varieties. If at times we wander off-course (inevitable), be assured, data backup is our primary concern, and we will return.

In the interest of an open honest conversation I will reveal upfront that I am an employee of Universe Point, the monitored backup software company. Doubtless, this relationship will occasionally color my opinions despite efforts to the contrary. However, I do not want this blog to be an advertising vehicle or intentionally slanted to promote an individual product. I will attempt to avoid bias as much as possible and ask you, the reader, to point out my failures. I will not moderate comments except where they are vulgar or spammy. I am committed to open dialog and ongoing self-education.

Howie and I both appreciate your stopping by. Please leave a comment, sign up for the RSS Feed and feel free to suggest a topic.