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Poll: Do you have a backup or spare computer?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Nov 22, 2012

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you have a backup or spare computer?".

This poll was originally submitted by Burrell. View the poll results »



 
inkweaver
inkweaver  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 08:56
French to German
+ ...
Not at the moment Nov 22, 2012

My old laptop is broken so I have been without a backup computer for a while. I am planning to buy a new one soon, though.

 
Patricia Prevost
Patricia Prevost  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 08:56
English to Spanish
+ ...
A laptop Nov 22, 2012

I've got a laptop computer that allows me to have more freedom when I'm on holiday and need to finish a translation (on a train, for example), or when I feel like translating in the garden. Also, when my family is around and I need absolute silence, I go somewhere quiet and can just continue with what I'm doing.
But usually, I prefer to work in my comfortable desktop computer.


 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japan
Local time: 16:56
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
Yes Nov 22, 2012

As I answered in the October 27th poll:

You can view the results at:

http://www.proz.com/forum/poll_discussion/236026-poll:_the_computer_you_are_working_on_right_now_fails_suddenly_do_you_have_a_backup_system_in_place.html

In fact, FYI, I wrote th
... See more
As I answered in the October 27th poll:

You can view the results at:

http://www.proz.com/forum/poll_discussion/236026-poll:_the_computer_you_are_working_on_right_now_fails_suddenly_do_you_have_a_backup_system_in_place.html

In fact, FYI, I wrote the following:

"I have a RAID 1 setup which comprises an exact copy (or mirror) of my working data on two disks each with their own separate OS. If one disk fails, the other (or redundant) healthy system is automatically switched to and the failed disk is repaired or "nursed back to health" in the background. Everything is seamless so I don't notice a thing. It was a pricey but worthwhile investment. "

Ho, hum
Kind of early to have a rehashed poll, don't you think?

Small edit

[Edited at 2012-11-22 11:06 GMT]
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Stanislaw Czech, MCIL CL
Stanislaw Czech, MCIL CL  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:56
Member (2006)
English to Polish
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
Yes, several options Nov 22, 2012

I have a laptop which is ready for work should my PC break down. Besides that I have both online and local backup of data.

Cheers
S


 
Alexandranow
Alexandranow  Identity Verified
Romania
Local time: 09:56
Romanian to English
+ ...
no...but Nov 22, 2012

ProZ.com Staff wrote:

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you have a backup or spare computer?".

This poll was originally submitted by Burrell. View the poll results »


No, and I would like one but not now and no money for such things. First of all I work on PC, but maybe a laptop would be a good thing to have.


 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 07:56
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
No change since the 27th October! Nov 22, 2012

2 PCs + 1 laptop and… still no live-in computer consultant!

 
José Henrique Lamensdorf
José Henrique Lamensdorf  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 04:56
English to Portuguese
+ ...
In memoriam
No, but I can quickly assemble one Nov 22, 2012

I don't like portable computers, because there is little I can do to fix them, and they are not prone to gradual upgrades.

So I have enough hardware junk around to quickly assemble a desktop computer, if I have to. Otherwise I can use their parts to fix mine in no time. For instance, when a power supply went dead, it was a matter of four bolts and a dozen plugs to swap it. An electric screwdriver is at arm's reach.

I use cheap "disposable" keyboards and earsets, and alw
... See more
I don't like portable computers, because there is little I can do to fix them, and they are not prone to gradual upgrades.

So I have enough hardware junk around to quickly assemble a desktop computer, if I have to. Otherwise I can use their parts to fix mine in no time. For instance, when a power supply went dead, it was a matter of four bolts and a dozen plugs to swap it. An electric screwdriver is at arm's reach.

I use cheap "disposable" keyboards and earsets, and always have a brand new spare of each standing by. Amazingly, they always work better and last longer than I expect.

And there is more... My present scanner is the current multifunctional printer, slower than a snail. I have an old scanner, a real speed demon, however the last driver for it works only under Windows 98. Once I had 400 pages to scan. It took me about three hours to assemble a Pentium I, install Win 98, plug in that scanner, and get that entire book scanned and saved to a CD-ROM on a PDF file, which I could OCR in my normal computer.

As a last-ditch option, there is always my stepson's surplus netbook, which anyone here at home will take on a trip.
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Allison Wright (X)
Allison Wright (X)  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 07:56
Situation unchanged Nov 22, 2012

Still have the laptop only. Still dreaming of the fancy desktop with the big screen.

 
Susanna Martoni
Susanna Martoni  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 08:56
Member (2009)
Spanish to Italian
+ ...
Laptop and two backups on external hard disks Nov 22, 2012

I have a spare computer (laptop) and two backup applications (a very big file saved on my PC and on an external hard disk and another backup directly made to another external hard disk).

My past experience about data losses is really very bad!

(Edited: a singular verb)

[Modificato alle 2012-11-22 09:41 GMT]


 
Michael Harris
Michael Harris  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 08:56
Member (2006)
German to English
Other Nov 22, 2012

I have a desktop computer as main machine, and 3 laptops, all configured the same and an external drive for backups.

 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 08:56
Spanish to English
+ ...
Yes, several Nov 22, 2012

I have one backup PC and 2 laptops. The backup PC is an old one that I had reconditioned - it is now actually faster than my main PC and it's the only one with OpenOffice installed.

I mainly bought the second laptop because I was fed up with my colleague's Mac going on the blink (they really aren't ideal for translating IMHO) and her reluctance to invest in a Windows laptop just for translations and I prefer to keep my own laptop for my own personal use and not clutter it up with m
... See more
I have one backup PC and 2 laptops. The backup PC is an old one that I had reconditioned - it is now actually faster than my main PC and it's the only one with OpenOffice installed.

I mainly bought the second laptop because I was fed up with my colleague's Mac going on the blink (they really aren't ideal for translating IMHO) and her reluctance to invest in a Windows laptop just for translations and I prefer to keep my own laptop for my own personal use and not clutter it up with my friends' or colleagues's TMs etc.

I also have one older laptop which I use as for television/radio streaming and internet etc through my TV, which could still be used for work in emergencies, although it is slow.
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David Turnbull
David Turnbull
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:56
Italian to English
Old laptop Nov 22, 2012

When I upgraded I kept the old one, which is loaded with Trados/MQ etc. Since all my files are on an external HD I could fall back onto using that one in an absolute emergency.

 
Ines Burrell
Ines Burrell  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:56
Member (2004)
English to Latvian
+ ...
Not my doing, I'm afraid Nov 22, 2012

Julian Holmes wrote:


Kind of early to have a rehashed poll, don't you think?

Small edit

[Edited at 2012-11-22 11:06 GMT]


I submitted this poll about two years ago and all but forgot about it. At the time it was a hot topic for me as my main laptop crashed and the old spare one was not what you would call 'recent'.

Since then I have acquired a state of the art laptop and over the top expensive insurance providing me with an instant replacement while my machine is being repaired. I have a very decent desktop used by kids so I can throw them off at any time. And I bought an entry level laptop as a 'when all else fails' option which in the meantime is used by my husband. As you can see, I took my own poll seriously.

Ines


 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japan
Local time: 16:56
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
Yes, crashes hurt -- be prepared for the worst! Nov 22, 2012

Burrell wrote:

I submitted this poll about two years ago and all but forgot about it. At the time it was a hot topic for me as my main laptop crashed and the old spare one was not what you would call 'recent'.

Ines


@Ines
I'm glad you found the right solution for your particular predicament. You realize you really need that extra 'insurance' only when Old Faithful doesn't boot up and the proverbial hits the fan. I hear your pain since I've been there. Ouch!

It's also a pity that your well-intended poll took a whole two years to filter down and end up on the heels of a similar poll less than a month ago. Excellent planning and timing. Hats off to the powers that be!
It must make you feel really good to be passed over for all those anonymous and mundane topics we've all been subjected to recently. As usual, as has been pointed out by other Proz members, more creative selection of poll topics would contribute to livelier discussion and mutually beneficial exchange of opinions between fellow professional translators on this site.

FWIW


 
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Poll: Do you have a backup or spare computer?






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