Hard Drives Break
Personal computers, for all of their capabilities, are far from indestructible, and for the most part, still contain at least one critical moving part that is vulnerable to failure: the hard disk.
Everything a computer does, it does by moving files between its hardwired memory in chips and its long-term storage area, the hard disk. These disks are still mechanical devices with motorized arms moving read/write heads across the surfaces of spinning disks according to very fine tolerances. Under the thermal, electrical and mechanical stresses of frequent use, they often fail, making retrieval of stored data impossible. In light of this, and given the many available options for doing so, the WIRED team recommends storing important work in your LAN space, and keeping backup copies of important files, including schoolwork and pictures.
LAN Space for Schoolwork
First off, schoolwork files -- word processing documents, spreadsheets, powerpoints -- should be stored on Lehigh's servers. Each student gets 500 MB of backup-protected digital storage in their LAN space (H-Drive). These servers are backed up using multiple methods several times a day. No matter what happens to your personal machine, files stored on the servers will be available from anywhere on the internet. Easy-to-use login clients for connecting to your personal slice are available from the WIRED software page. Storing files there is just a good habit.
External Drives and Internet Services for Everything Else
But what about pictures and music? Music is usually already backed up -- that is, the files originally came from CDs or are also stored on a portable player, like an iPod or Zune in addition to your hard drive. In the case of a hard drive failure, WIRED consultants can assist with transferring files back onto a PC after a reformat or onto a new drive.
Pictures and personal videos, however, are frequently stored nowhere else. These files need to be backed up onto external hard drives or internet services with sufficient capacity. External hard drives are available for purchase at the campus bookstore, in office stores and on the internet at varying prices depending on size, speed and connection options. Internet services such as Crash Plan, Mozy, Red Boomerang, Dropbox, iDrive, and others offer automated backup and online storage at a per gigabyte cost. Many of these services work quite well, and offer worthwhile technical assistance.
The thing to realize about all of this is that it takes some kind of action on your part, and that that action needs to be tailored to your needs.
Take stock of what you've got and take care of your data!