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Computer Fail - Moving To The Cloud

By
Education & Training with Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp Non-Licensed

Everyone has heard this phrase "it's not a matter of IF, it's a matter of when" and unfortunately this is so true.  This past week at NARdiGras in New Orleans, my computer hard-drive crashed and I lost all the data that was stored on it.  Luckily I have backed up many of the folders and items, but not everything.  I'm disappointed in myself for not making sure ALL my files were backed up, thinking that I might be exempt from this ever happening to me.

The process of getting my computer fixed in New Orleans is a story I'll save for another time since the experience and adventure were extraordinary, but the outcome wasn't so bad since eventually, I was able to get a new hard drive installed and have my computer finally working again.  This can and will happen to you too.  Your motherboard will go out, your hard-drive will fail, the video card will fry, your computer will crash. 

BE SURE TO BACK UP YOUR WORK AND FILES REGULARLY!

Unlike previous computer "fails" that I've experienced where I would reinstall a bunch of software apps, files, and plug-ins etc.,  this time I'm going to create and try to do almost everything on the web instead.  There are enough resources and apps on the "cloud" that will make this easy and possible.  Obviously you can't do everything on the web but with all the online tools and resources, it's time to consider the options available? 

I'm all about trying to minimize the damage from hardware and software failures in the future.  Now that there are companies like the ones mentioned in this video, moving to the cloud is even easier than ever and might be the best option for folks like me looking to take their software, hardware and even server issues to a worry-free environment. 

Yep, Today I'm moving to the cloud!

Comments (45)

DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Not to mention you could then work from any computer.  Most days I work in my office on a workroom computer and as it is now, I send a lot of the things I might store at home to myself in an email in case I need to access them while I'm here at work!  Thanks Brad!!!

Nov 10, 2010 06:44 AM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

I can relate, that's for certain. I once had my Seagate bck up crash and die on me after cpu did the same. The little fan stopped spinning!

I now use a jumpdrive with 18 gigs.. perfect for word docs/pdf files and a few thousand compressed photo's.

I don't like many of the online storage areas because of the firewalls, length of time to upload and even the costs. Why pay $150 a year for it? You need to ensure you can UPLOAD docs from multiple cpu's without being charged. Some companies only allow 1 cpu to prevent you from uploading your friends stuff I guess. dunno.

 

Nov 10, 2010 11:12 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Wow, if it happened to you...looks like something we should all be looking into. Thanks!

Nov 10, 2010 11:20 AM
Simon Mills
Mills Realty - Toluca Lake, CA

We are at the very beginning of the cloud.  I expect computers to have only flash memory and no hard drives in the not to distant future.  All programs and all files will be stored on the cloud which will make it much more convenient and economical.

Nov 10, 2010 05:12 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

I'm still rebuilding and repairing and healing from this experience. 

Yesterday I had some unexplainable glitches and lockups with my new hard drive during a webinar I was teaching.  Technology really sucks sometimes (haha) but I will press on and prevail as this is all a learning experience and one that helps me grow and make me stronger.... if it doesn't kill me first!!! lol~

Nov 11, 2010 02:43 AM
F U
nobody - Alamance, NT
Dead

finally some answers, I saw the cloud on TV and never figured it out, thanks I needed that.

Nov 12, 2010 04:08 PM
Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Hi Brad,

so sorry about your computer.

The cloud, with its multiple back ups is great.

Of course, when you don't have, or can't get internet access, the cloud unleashes a storm upon you...

Phil

Nov 12, 2010 11:09 PM
Cindy Marchant
Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN
"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate
I happened upon this post...how timely...I lost my outlook on Thursday and did a post on it. So, I feel your pain a bit...backing up is key. The whole cloud thing is beginning to catch my attention...but I don't trust the "man behind the curtain". For example if I could to gmail on Google...will they have access to my emails and target market me? Maybe I am just paranoid! lol Cindy In Indy
Nov 13, 2010 02:14 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Hey Phil - I agree, but with the global access we have to the web nowadays with wireless and what not, seems unlikely that we'll ever be deprived of an internet connection.  I know people who actually travel to far and away places to try and disconnect from the Internet. 

I think they still call that vacation!!  haha~

Nov 13, 2010 02:20 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Hi Cindy - I saw a movie once that reminded me of your comment.  The "Wizard of Oz" so don't worry, the man behind the curtain is just a little guy and probably isn't interested in your email as much as he is your monthly payment.  lol~

Seriously though, here's a link to the privacy policy on Google email. http://mail.google.com/mail/help/about_privacy.html

Nov 13, 2010 02:24 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Brad, this happened on my desktop three years ago, and I was vigilent about backups for a while... now I am starting to slack off a lot... sometimes we never learn.

Nov 13, 2010 03:51 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Yep, I'm in the crashed computer camp now too. Thanks for the post, Brad. I agree that the cloud is where we'll all be sooner rather than later. And for a backup system, it makes a lot of sense. I back up (when I remember) to an external hard drive, but if my house burned down, or a burglar took everything, it wouldn't be much help.

Nov 13, 2010 04:40 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Brad, glad you could get your computer working again!   It is SO frustrating when you cannot work!

Nov 14, 2010 09:28 AM
Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes
OK...I'm onboard. I purchased 2 new Windows 7 for my office this year. The cloud looks heavenly!
Nov 14, 2010 11:57 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Lizette - I just got Win 7 myself, and I'm finally feeling like life is starting to get back to normal!!!  :-)

Nov 15, 2010 09:37 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

BTW - My hard drive has been in Emergency Data Recovery since last Wednesday, they say it is still trying to salvage files but they are making no promises what-so-ever.  I have pretty much let it go at this point. Data recovery and system restore are pretty much a miracle at this point.  :(  I do believe in miracles though!  :-))

Nov 15, 2010 09:42 AM
Dale Kreiser
Washington Broker - eXp Realty, Bellingham, WA - Bellingham, WA

Hey Brad,

 

I feel your pain over this transition.  Made my move to the cloud 2 years ago and I'm not moving back.  The last time my Outlook crashed, it was July 2008.  In all my busy-ness I had a 2 month gap in backups, in other words I lost 2 months of contacts/emails and docs.

Hello GMail and cloud apps.  In fact we built our entire eXp Realty model completely on the cloud.  

Good luck with your miracle!

Nov 19, 2010 05:07 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Brad,  Very interesting.  I've heard that many web site providers are using this concept quite successfully.  Even spreading themselves between " clouds " .  Sounds amazing and way beyond my grasp !

Feb 18, 2011 06:33 AM
James Loftis
RealEstate911.com - West Palm Beach, FL
RealEstate911.com

Hello Brad,

I have been using an online service to back up all my data to the cloud for over 2 years now, and belive that it is money well spent.

Jul 06, 2011 01:43 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

James - you are on it my friend.

Mozy.com is a site that allows backing to the cloud for 4.95 a month unlimited.

Wise to always backup everything onto an external drive or to the cloud. 

Jul 07, 2011 12:00 PM