I implemented a new backup process recently in which I migrate things off of my studio computers to a series of DVD-RWs on a fairly regular basis. The contents of the discs are then copied and stored on a large hard drive in a file repository. While this process does provide me with a “backup” routine, the management of my backups requires careful (and timely) turn around to ensure its success. 

I found experienced this little “loophole” rather painfully this week as I ended up misplacing one of my backup discs. As a result, I ended up losing nearly three months of reference material and studio related files. Hence the name of this post, “Bad Bad Bad”. While nothing was considered a critical loss, I’m bummed because I had some great reference material that I had collected for future reading. The real “worst part” in all this is that there’s no one to blame but myself. Since I own the process; I own the screwup.

The lesson to be learned is simply this:

When you establish a backup process for personal or professional needs (What!? You don’t have a backup process? Well, get on it.) make sure it is 1) simple and easy to maintain and 2) that you follow it religiously without hesitation. My problem was that I didn’t immediately commit the disc’s content to my file repository because I was busy with other work. The disc then magically disappeared because I did not label it properly.

There’s always the chance that the disc will magically reappear, but the damage has been done. I now need to go back and reassess the process and simplify it even further to avoid future problems. 

Ahhhh… the joys of studio life.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at 11:39 pm and is filed under Business, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.