Ask the Admin, a newly discovered (and newly subscribed to) blog, presented us with a pleasantly absurd new backup idea . . . paper. Yes, that’s right, cellulose pulp, the descendant of papyrus. Apparently, a new piece of software called PaperBack (obviously) will allow you to back up your data to that most basic of mediums.
I know, some of you are saying you already have a device for this purpose. You call it a printer. There is even a specialized storage unit for all that backup material, referred to, I believe, as a file cabinet. But wait. This is different.
PaperBack, instead of rolling out sheet after sheet of tedious words and spreadsheets, will print a bitmap image of your data that can be restored using an ordinary scanner. Sure, its ridiculous, but still, you have to admit, it is also just a little bit cool.
Would I use it as part of a backup strategy? No. Would I recommend you use it? Not unless I had something against you. But, I will try it out because it sounds entertaining. Just don’t tell my green friends about it . . . there is definitely a danger to trees in this backup solution. Though, it may be some consultation if I recycled my unneeded backups into delicate origami swans.