Downloaded files from our cloud service to an encrypted 256GB thumb drive which we will keep permanently. Doing this periodically is some protection from worst-case scenarios like being permanently locked out of the cloud service.
Category: IT
Death of a Dial Tone
Our VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) adapter decided to brick itself, and no amount of coaxing could bring it back to life. It had saved us a bundle on phone calls over the past 11 years but it was time to order a new adapter.
Limits of Technology
Me: “OK Google, add toothpaste to the shopping list.” We’d like to change the wakeup words to “OK Janet”—a kind and wise Scottish housekeeper for two doctors in a 1960’s BBC TV series. Unlike with Google Assistant, Janet would offer to pour a “wee dram” and toothpaste would never run out.
Migrating Our Digital Recipe Box
Converted our digital recipe box from Evernote to a folder of .docx recipe files in Google Drive. Evernote is changing ownership, with substantial layoffs, which makes me want to secure our recipes in a standard, open, Web-accessible format that is not dependent on a single company.
Pulling a Cable
Recently I managed to destroy a video cable, so today I replaced it. This was easier said than done, as I had to remove wall plates and thread it down a conduit inside the wall. The computer is 13 years old, but with some simple hardware upgrades Windows 10 performs well.
Data Insurance
Took a snapshot of our cloud data, almost filling an encrypted 256GB thumb drive. If all goes well I’ll never use the $20 thumb drive again.
Like Watching Paint Dry
A moment of boredom motivated me to update the software in various devices, including the TV. Automatic updates are disallowed because if an update introduces a problem, I’ll want to know it’s the culprit.
Belt And Suspenders
Saved our files to two thumb drives. All our data is continuously backed up off-site, but about once a year I save an encrypted snapshot of the data to be retained indefinitely. At about $24 for 256GB, thumb drives are inexpensive insurance.
“OK Google, Play Pink”
Today’s morning shower: “OK Google, play Pink.” Sometimes I summon Lady Gaga or Cher.
Loose Goals
The chill continues: walked for about an hour through corridors and stairways in the two towers of our building. My daily workout goal is “move” but I’ve yet to figure out how to explain that to the software.