Great Backup Scheme, With One Catch
A concern I have with Spafford's backup scheme (#14 in http://langalist.com/plus/newsletters/2006/2006-10-09plus.asp ): The connectors. The ThumbDrive connector may break, in which case it's probably a goner. Don't recall where I saw the advice, but I use a short USB extension cable for my Corsair Flash Voyager 2GB. That spares the USB connector on the Flash media from RSI (of a sort ;)
As to the docking bays, some locales are very environmentally (such as dust or high humidity) challenging for connectors. For that, a cleaner/(electrical) lubricant may help. Stabilant-22 was recommended long ago by Jerry Pournelle in Byte magazine. As cheap as those docking bays are, it would be a very good idea to have a spare on hand, in unopened packaging. Connectors can get bent, or broken. At only $8, I doubt those Docking bays have a strong enough alignment mechanism to avert damage... --Scott Maley, Ret. aerospace engineer
Thanks, Scott! And BTW, that place where you saw the advice on USB connectors was right here! <g> See "USB Connector Gremlins" here: http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-12-19.htm#5 .
It's always a good idea to be prepared for the worst!
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