My Data Backup Plan and how it (almost) Failed

Several years ago, I had a hard-drive crash and I lost about 5 years of photos.  Since then, I have realized that of all the digital content I have, the only files that really can't be recreated, are pictures and videos.  So, for the last couple of years, I have had a system in place to protect those digital pictures, all 25,000+ of them!

This article is intended to show you ONE way of backing up data to protect against the most common issues.

Is Diesel Worth it? Nope.

If you were trying to pick between a car that burns regular unleaded versus a car that burns diesel because it is more fuel efficient... keep your money in your pocket.

24 years... how long it will take to make back the higher purchase price from fuel savings.

DirecTV... you are fibbing a wee little bit.

Have you seen their latest commercial?  Shows a guy watching a crazy action packed movie, pausing it in one room, then watching the rest of the movie in another room.  Then they splash $29.99 on the screen.  They do say it is a temp offer (12 months).  But, there is more to it.  The commercial shows two TV's, both high definition flat screens.  So, that means the guy has two HD receivers, one of which is a DVR.  Also, he must have the "Whole-house" system to share content between receivers.  I went to the web site to see what it would cost, during the promo period, to have what they show on the commercial.

$29.99  Choice Programming package with 12 mo discounts
$10.00  HD Access (no HD programming without this little fee)
$7.00 for DVR service (I thought you wanted to pause your movie?)
$3.00 Whole House Service (share content between both receivers)
$6.00 Leased receiver fee (1st one is free!)
________
$55.99 per month.... tisk, tisk.
$90.99 after 12 month promo period (I did tell you it is a two year contract, right?)

PS....
$198 due at checkout to 'buy' your receivers (1 HD DVR and 1 HD)

Now you know... and knowing is half the battle.

DirecTv Versus Roku

One month ago, I fired DirecTv and hired Roku... and TiVo.  Below are the ten questions I had as I started on the conversion as well as the answers to those questions.

1.       Does it really work?

a.       Well, yes.  It does.  How well depends on your perspective.