A Networked Home

Archive for November, 2007

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I wanted a simple backup plan that would prevent me from manually copying files to an external hard drive once a week, not to mention one that covered much more than once per week.

I had an old HP desktop in storage so I purchased a new 320GB internal hard drive and a KVM switch.

I removed the stock 40GB drive after running Boot and Nuke. Unfortunately, I was doing this right before we moved and I tossed that drive out to save space. Now I wished I had kept it for possible future use.

I installed the new drive, plugged the PC into the router and the KVM switch, which I also hooked to my current desktop PC, and booted up.

I installed a VERY scaled down version of XP. I used an extra copy of Media Center, but didn’t actually install any MC components. The only extra I allowed was installing Firefox (just in case).

The first program I tried using was Microsoft’s SyncToy, which I had heard good things about. It required me using Windows Task Scheduler, which I found required me to set a password for logon. I did this, although I have no need for one on the this desktop PC. Then I encountered further compatability problems and decided to go looking for something less intrusive.

I found GoodSync on a Download.com search. I have to say I was under the impression that it was totally free, but later found that only half true.

The program worked flawlessly though. It gave me the ability to sync 2 folders to match or to sync only left-right or right-left.

I chose left-right and began choosing the folders I wanted backed up - My Documents on the C drive and the My Pictures and My Videos which were housed on an external hard drive that plugged in via USB 2.0 (G Drive). All of these I put on the “left side” in GoodSync.

I created folders on the new “backup PC” with logical names - “documents Backup”, “pictures backup”, etc. These I placed on the “right side” of GoodSync. I chose a backup schedule of every 2 hours and I was done!

Now every 2 hours my desktop PC queries my backup PC to check the files and copies (and deletes) the files on the desktop to the files on the backup. I am protected from hard drive failure - but not from natural disaster. That will be answered by off-site storage, which is a topic for another day.

A few things to watch:

• I originally chose plain old “Sync” but soon realized that every time I deleted something that within 2 hours it would be back because this option makes sure each folder matches by syncing BOTH ways. Left-right may cause me to not get a previously deleted file back, but it is much less of a headache.
• The program is not totally free. It is totally free for 30 days and then resorts to a hobbled version which can be used free forever - providing you stick to the very limited limitations. However, the full version is only $19, which by today’s software standards is close enough to free.

FINAL ANALYSIS

I highly recommend GoodSync as an easy-to-use and very affordable backup solution that works for the technologically advanced as well as the casual user.

I noticed last night that the new Amazon Kindle was listed as the number one seller on Amazon. And then, today, I saw where it sold out in 5.5 hours!

I am at a loss to explain this. Yes, I wouldn’t mind having an E-Book reader, but let’s take a careful look at this…

First, $399?! Okay, maybe I’d get one if it were comparable to an MP3 player, but this is just way too much. Apparently I am in a minority given the time it took to sell out though.

Second, the initial price is only the beginning…they tout wireless access to blogs, but EACH blog is $2 per month to subscribe to?

I’m sorry, but at this point I can’t see it. Maybe this is just the beginning though and, like every other technology, prices will drop quickly.

I hope so, because the product looks great. Just not worth the asking price.

I have an old Dell Inspiron 5100 Notebook that used to run XP Pro. A few months ago I decided to use it to try out Linux Ubuntu 7.04.

I will have more later on getting Ubuntu integrated into your home network, but for now I want to discuss the upgrade to 7.1 that I did yesterday.

I started by clicking on the “System” menu and choosing “Update Manager”. It told me that a new version was available and I chose to install it.

I had the laptop sitting on the kitchen table on the first floor of our home. I note this because we live in an old Victorian house and my office (and wireless router) are on the third floor. This is quite a distance, but despite that, I still get a pretty strong connection.

The download, installation, cleanup and reboot took a little over an hour and went unattended, except for one click on my part.

When 7.1 was up and running for the first time everything I had previously installed and set up was still there - the desktop folder, the Firefox bookmarks, the wireless printing, Evolution email, etc.

The only noticeable issue was that all of the graphics were slightly fuzzy and wavy. I tried rebooting with no improvement. As a last resort I changed the screen resolution from the native 1024×768 to 800×600 which cleared the problem completely, but is obviously a short-term solution.

I did a quick Google search for this and found several promising links, but so far I have not solved the problem.

For now I am still running 800×600 and the only real problem this causes is in Evolution, which seems to not be written to play nicely with this and forces me to move it around to see all sides of the program.

Well, this is the first in what will probably be a series of articles as I get into using the new Zune 4 GB Digital Media Player Black (2nd Generation).

The package arrived in fine shape and the unpacking was as dramatic as any product I’ve seen. The box was well-packaged and contained the player, headphones and USB plug.

I went to the Zune Site and installed the software (a fairly large 32MB file which downloaded VERY fast). The first time I ran it, it did hang up and I was forced to reboot, but I have had no problems since. Everything is very simple to use on both the player and PC software. My first concern was Podcasts and that was very easy to set up.

But, I did have a small issue with trying to stop it from downloading EVERY episode, which, of course, meant all of the ones I’d heard before. Fortunately, a right click on the file produces both the “Cancel Download” and “Mark as Played” options and clicking those fixed this. My next biggest concern was setting up wireless syncing, and here I will need to do more work. The setup was simple enough in the Zune software. The first connection failed, but a trip to my router’s dashboard to add the Zune to my list of allowed network devices was very simple - the Zune even provides it’s MAC address in case you need it. So far I’ve been able to connect to my network and get a message saying that sync has completed, but I have NOT seen the new files appear on the player.

I will continue to play around with this and will post more on it soon. In the meantime, I have seen that Toys ‘r’ Us has listed the Zune 30GB for $79.99 on Black Friday and my wife wants an MP3 player…and the 2nd gen software in available for upgrade to first gen machines…and I hope she doesn’t read this…

Okay, I confess, I am not an Apple fanboy. I never wanted to be roped into the inescapable world of ITunes. I have over 700 CD’s worth of music ripped into WMA format (before you say it, yes, I know I can convert them). When I bought my last PC I got over-zealous and added in the Gateway MP3-Photo Jukebox (since discontinued) which has served me reasonably well for about 3 years - more than enough for any MP3 player. For the past year or so I have procrastinated about getting the Creative Zen Vision M. The Zune was in the back of my mind, but it didn’t seem quite ready for prime-time. Then I started hearing about the second generation players, complete with wireless syncing and podcast support and I could no longer resist. I should have the new Zune 4 GB Digital Media Player Black (2nd Generation) in a few days and I will post a review as soon as I’ve had a little time to put it through its paces.

I signed up for Spiral Frog the day it went live. I couldn’t wait to listen to and download all of the music I could think of! After signing up for the free account I was unable to download any music, but it was early and the servers were working overtime, so I waited. And waited, and waited…. After a couple of weeks everything seemed to be working. I browsed the site and found “Hey There Delila”, a song I knew I had heard and liked, so I clicked the “Download”. A little slow, but it’s free so I can live with slow. The song eventually downloaded. Now I can play my new music, right? Well, not so fast…. I try and I try, but the DRM seems to be an issue. After clicking through a few messages it tells me I need the “latest” version of WMP (which I am already running). So, I bite and download a new codec for the latest version of WMP (which I am running, but Spiral Frog doesn’t know it). and I STILL can’t play this song!!! After several failed tries I deleted the song, uninstalled the Spiral Frog “Download Manager” and swore I would NEVER, EVER use this service again! The concept may be good, but when you DRM it to death it becomes meaningless!