It isn't if your computer will crash IT'S WHEN!Then why aren't backups to your computer as common as other programs?
Why isn't backing up your important computer files and photographs part of the discussion when you consider buying a brand new computer?
Are there advantages to backing up photographs and files with a flash drive?
Let's see if we can shed some light on this important yet rarely discussed topic.
It Isn't If Your Computer Will Crash IT'S WHEN!
Hard drives and other computer components are not perfect. Combine that with the fact that if you don't have a computer backup system, you probably don't have your virus and spyware protection up to date either. Any of these factors can cause the loss of anything from children's and grandchildren's photos to important work documents that will take months to restore if it's possible at all.
Then Why Aren't Backups to Your Computer as Common as Other Programs?
There is, I believe, an unfortunate explanation for that. The average person doesn't want to be bothered with learning how to do it. We get our oil changed, we get our roof fixed before the rain pours into the house and we buy winter clothes before it gets cold. Now the first two items are technical so what do most of us do? We hire someone else to do it! Therein lies the problem! If the average person must take time to learn to do something themselves they'd rather do something else that's more fun and fulfilling to them! This is human nature, I'm the exact same way with may things!
Answer truthfully now, if you saw a backup program for $5.00 or a digital photo program for $15.00 that offers to make your pictures stand out like real life, which would you buy?
Exactly my point. Yet without the backup program your digital photos will always be in danger of being lost!
Supply and demand is exactly why you don't see as many backup programs as you do other types of software. This must change starting with you if you're going to keep your important pictures and work files.
Why Isn't Backing Up Your Important Computer Files and Photographs Part of The Discussion When You Consider Buying a Brand New Computer?
There is a tendency to buy low cost computers from discount stores and big box stores. Often the technical knowledge of computer is lacking among the staff. They're not paid commission (a big motivator regardless of what some people say) and their training is primarily in public service and to smile at the customer no matter how upset the customer is.
Even at a big name electronic discount store where I've purchased four computers for clients, I was offered a virus protection package, but never a backup package. There is one possible reason for this besides supply and demand, this same company charges $200.00 to backup your files for you. Thus offering a backup solution would actually cut into their profits!
Are There Advantages to Backing Up Photographs and Files With a Flash Drive?
Wait A Minute, You're Getting a Bit Technical. What Is a Flash Drive?
A flash drive has several names which may be more familiar to you.
USB flash drive
Thumb drive
USB store drive
It's basically a little rectangular shaped device one to two inches in length and maybe one-half to three-quarters of an inch in width. It fits into your computer via a very small rectangular slot in your computer with a little lip in it which matches the lip on the flash drive.
Okay, Got It. So Back to The Question. Are There Advantages to Using a Flash Drive for Backups
Definitely! I actually do all my work on a flash drive then copy it to my computer. Since I have two computers both computers are constantly kept up to date with each other.
Flash Drives Are Cheap!
The average computer user doesn't need more than a two gigabyte flash drive to store all of his/her family pictures and work files. As flash drives get larger and larger in storage capacity, the smaller in capacity hard drives cost less and less.
Flash Drives Are Portable!
Have you ever wanted to bring work, books and family pictures with you on your vacation or work trip but just don't want to pay that extra fee for luggage at the airport?
You can store thousands of books, work files and family pictures on your USB flash drive! Best of all, If you want to give grandma a copy of the children's pictures, Just copy them to her computer (that's right, the highest increase in computer usage is the age group starting at 65). Even if grandma doesn't have a computer hard copies can be printed almost anywhere now!
Flash Drives are Tough
A flash drive is probably one of the few computer accessories that you can toss to a friend from across the room without worrying about damaging it. The storage system itself is even tough and they rarely crash, thus ensuring you a long stable and sturdy backup of your important family photographs and work files.