FileSlinger™ Backup Reminder 11-14-03: Non-Computer Backups

Dear FileSlinger clients, colleagues, and friends:

It’s time for the weekly mish-mash of backup musings. It’s also time for you to go and make your backups if you haven’t done it yet.

Running out of CDs? Office Depot is having a buy one get one free offer on Philips CD-Rs this week. They’re also offering a rebate on APC battery backup UPS/surge protectors. In case I haven’t mentioned it before, you should definitely have one of these to protect your equipment from power surges, rolling blackouts, and bad wiring.

I was reminded this week that it isn’t only computer data that should be backed up. You should have at least one copy of any really critical paper, videotape, or audiotape. (I was reminded of that because I finally made up an Advance Health Care directive and in fact had to make 6 copies of it, for my agents, doctor, and family—such a thing is no good if no one knows you have it.) I have scanned some of my IDs, like my driving license, social security card, and passport, as well as making paper photocopies.

Naturally you’re safer if you don’t keep the copies with the originals.

Another kind of backup that it’s good to have is the right kind of insurance. If you have a separate office or employees, you probably already have a Business Owner’s Policy, Professional Liability Policy, and Worker’s Comp policy. (Lucky you.) For the rest of us, there is the Home-Based Business or Home Office policy, which provides coverage for business property (on and off premises), business liability, loss of income, relocation, and the destruction of valuable papers. Some policies cover the loss of computer software and/or data. (Various computer insurance policies I’ve had over the years have done that.)

Next week I’ll tackle the difference between drive mirrors and drive copies.