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 JM> Hey, sorry for jumping in here, but this a subject near and dear to my
 JM> heart...
After reading through your message, I can honestly write, "I won't mind this
at all"....
 
 JM> I run a computer services firm, in Kingston, ON...
Why, HOWDY, neighbour......!
I wear two hats in this man's IT industry: PC Systems consultant and
DTP'er. Right at the moment, both activities are quiet...
I tend to specialise with the hardware and connectivity aspects.
 JM> Three weeks later and a bill for 2000 dollars she had most of her data
 JM> back. She lost some clients over it as their records were the ones she
 JM> couldn't get back.
Ouch ! Still, she got off "lightly" as it were. Two-grand to recover
data is not an uncommonly heard-of billing, but her loss of clients is
still harder to take, I'm sure.
 JM> The problem with the type of system you are referring to, is the fact
 JM> that the tape while backing up unattended is also unattended until the
 JM> morning. Not all data is lost due to computer problems....what about
 JM> floods, fires. crooks....just to mention a few more. Do you think if a
 JM> crook was breaking into the office and stealing things, he/she would
 JM> take the time to remove your backup tapes before taking off with your
 JM> tape machine....
Of course not ! Breakin artists don't stop "fer nuthin'"... These days,
computer thieves know _exactly_ what they want...and where to find it !
The more sophisicated will "clean" a machine right down to the last
byte...and strip complete networks down to the PROM...printers,
especially laser, are _always_ in demand... Unfortunately, there are
quite a few machines/systems out there that lack some form of physical
security to prevent such easy rip-offs.
Mind, coming down to the point, if tapes are sourced from a quality
manufacturer, then there _shouldn't_ be any problems encountered. In an
effort to avoid premature wear and tear of tapes, I advise my clients to
cycle several of them through every two weeks. It adds a bit of expense,
but it sure beats risking tape breakage, which is caused not so much by
a (mechanically) misaligned tape transport as it is from poor quality
control practices at the tape manufacturer's plant.
These days I find that tape is _not always_ the best media for unattended
use, so why not start to recommend ZIP drives, or even RCD's. Well, tape is
not quite as expensive (but the cost to run a ZIP is quickly falling):
RCD's are just a bit too pricy still for many to readily afford.
 
 JM> One of my biggest selling services to SOHO firms is Remote Backups, I
 JM> install software on the client machine, we pick the critical files
 JM> together, then in the evening when the office is closed, the software
 JM> (which runs as a TSR) wakes up the computer, gathers the days work,
 JM> verifies it, encrypts it (only the client knows the password) and
 JM> transmits it via modem to my storage  machine off-site. The next
 JM> morning I transfer the previous nights backups to tape and zip drive
 JM> and store them in a disaster proof safe.
To those who can readily afford such a service, I'll recommend one or two
that I'm aware of running a similar service from this area.
 JM> Most people aren't aware that most safes they buy in stores actually
 JM> release moisture in the event of a fire, not too good for your computer
 JM> media if it's inside.
True. If the heat doesn't destroy first, then the smoke will almost
certainly finish the job...and if it ain't _solidly_ waterproofed
(inside and outside), water damage will definitely serve to kill
damned-near any magnetic media. One does not go and pay a visit to
Wal-Mart, Sears or Eaton's for the nature of safe you write about !
 JM> Change the above statment to remote backups and then you truly have a
 JM> safe computer system....
Instead of changing, why don't I just add-in the info ?
 JM> I can also restore on-line....
Been doing this for years now down here...
 JM> I know remote backup providers are popping up everywhere, you would
 JM> have to check your area, but I know that I only charge, (depending
 JM> on the amount of data transmitted of  course), in the range of 50
 JM> bucks per month, for daily, instantly off-site backups....
You charge LESS than what many Internet ISP's want for the services they
supply !
 JM> Surge protecters, UPS, remote backups, baby you're protected come what
 JM> may... 
 >>> Continued to next message...
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