Ok, I admit, it was my fault, I hadn't backed up my tree for TWO whole months, and then kabang - computer dies, loose all my photo's documents (read certificates), well, just everything. Panic, what to do, I got a computer guy out who couldn't retrieve much either. It was just gone. I was devestated, and the reason this guy told me mine had gone is that Windows 7 has a tendency to do that - well why the heck wasn't I told. Too late.
So, the very next day I ran out and bought a portable external hard drive. That is one that doesn't have to be plugged into the power, but just the usb port. And I began the pain staking search for my "stuff", Luckily I HAD backed up my stuff 2 months ago, photo's, certificates, most important stuff, so I was "saved" I just lot what ever I'd been doing in the past 2 months. So back on it went, then the back up went straight on to the external hard drive. I've learned my lesson - haven't I?
A friend came over the other night, and he said, but wait, external hard drives die too you know - eek! What then I thought. OH CD he said, just back it up on CD and give it to someone who lives away from the house, then if your house burns down you have your stuff. Now, I have to tell you straight up, this guy is SO not into family trees, he's not a genieaholic, he has no idea how millions of us peck and surf day after day for the elusive gold nugget of our family information, so he had no idea why I was aghast at the thought of burning and giving out a back up of my tree - can you imagine?
Every week you'd have to burn your "stuff" onto disc, then go see who ever it is you're entrusting your work with, then make sure the old one's - what formatted - deleted? Chucked out? I'd rather back up on the external hard drive, but gee - is it safe? Really? And someone told me CD's can corrupt too, and yes, I even had that happen to me, so, if I back up on external hard drive, and I back up on CD and they both don't work at the same time, what in the heck do I do then.
The answer, be brave, be sure, at least back it up onto SOMETHING, and hope like heck that'll work when the time comes - right?
You need to be a member of Genealogy Wise to add comments!
Join Genealogy Wise