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Tag: cloud storage

  • Preserve Your Digital Legacy: Expert Tips on Preventing Data Rot in HDDs and SSDs

    Preserve Your Digital Legacy: Expert Tips on Preventing Data Rot in HDDs and SSDs

    Understanding Data Rot in the Digital Era
    Data rot, or bit rot, represents a significant challenge in our digital age. It refers to the gradual degradation of data stored on devices such as hard drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs), leading to potential loss of valuable information.

    Lifespan of Modern Storage Devices

    1. Hard Drives (HDDs): HDDs, prone to wear and tear due to mechanical parts, have a typical lifespan of 3-5 years. Factors influencing this include usage, environmental conditions, and manufacturing quality.
    2. Solid-State Drives (SSDs): While SSDs lack moving parts and can last up to a decade, they can lose data within 1-2 years in storage without power, especially in warmer environments.

    The Critical Role of Data Movement
    Transferring data from older to newer devices, or duplicating it across multiple devices, is essential for maintaining data integrity and accessibility. This process helps in combating data rot effectively.

    Recommended Frequency for Data Movement

    • For HDDs: Ideally, move or backup data every 3-4 years, considering the average lifespan of the device.
    • For SSDs: Refresh or move data every 5 years, although this may vary based on usage and storage conditions.

    Proactive Data Management Strategies

    • Regular Backups: A consistent backup routine is a key defense against unexpected device failures.
    • RAID Systems: Employing Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) adds extra layers of data protection.
    • Cloud Storage: Using cloud services for data storage provides remote access and typically includes automatic backup features.

    Navigating Digital Decay
    In summary, while data rot is an inevitable issue in our digital world, understanding the limitations of storage devices and adopting strategic data management practices can significantly mitigate its impact. Proactive measures and regular data movement are crucial for preserving the longevity and integrity of digital data.

  • Adobe Announces Discontinuation of Creative Cloud Synced Files: What Users Need to Know

    Adobe Announces Discontinuation of Creative Cloud Synced Files: What Users Need to Know

    Adobe has recently announced a significant change impacting Creative Cloud users. Starting February 1, 2024, Adobe will discontinue the Creative Cloud Synced files feature for both free and paid personal users. This decision excludes those associated with Creative Cloud for Enterprise or Creative Cloud for Teams business accounts.

    Understanding Creative Cloud Synced Files

    Creative Cloud Synced Files allowed users to save and sync files across devices. This feature was integrated into various Adobe mobile applications, including Photoshop Express, Rush, and Fresco. Users could access their files through a local folder or via the Creative Cloud website.

    Post-Discontinuation Scenario

    Once discontinued, personal users will lose the ability to sync files through Creative Cloud. However, Adobe assures continued support for other cloud storage solutions like Cloud Documents, Creative Cloud Libraries, Lightroom Cloud storage, and Frame.io cloud storage.

    Impact on Personal Users

    The discontinuation means the Creative Cloud desktop synchronization service and the folder and file-sharing capabilities will cease. Files in the local Creative Cloud Files folder will remain but won’t be copied to cloud storage. Shared files and folders will also become inaccessible.

    Why is Adobe Making this Change?

    Adobe aims to focus more on creative collaboration, steering away from generalized cloud storage services. The company is investing in services that support creative work across devices and apps and enable collaboration.

    Alternatives to Creative Cloud Synced Files

    Adobe offers several cloud-based solutions tailored to different needs:

    • Cloud Documents: Compatible with apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe Express, Cloud Documents update work across devices.
    • Creative Cloud Libraries: Useful for organizing and sharing brand and creative assets within Creative Cloud apps.
    • Frame.io: Offers web and mobile sharing, review, and approval of creative files.

    Notification to Users

    Users will be notified via email at least 90 days before the discontinuation process starts. The Creative Cloud Files folder on local devices will be renamed, but users can modify it as needed.

    Next Steps for Users

    Users are advised to back up their files and may consider syncing them with Adobe-supported storage solutions or third-party cloud storage providers before the discontinuation date.

    Special Note for Business Users

    This change has a separate timeline for enterprise or team accounts, with further details available from Adobe.

    Adobe’s decision reflects its evolving strategy focusing on enhancing creative collaboration and offering specialized cloud solutions. Users are encouraged to explore alternative Adobe cloud services to continue their creative endeavors seamlessly.

  • Passing on Your Digital Torch: Fun & Interactive Ways to Future-Proof Your Digital Inheritance

    Welcome to the 21st Century, where your digital footprint can be as important as your physical possessions. Yes, we’re talking about digital estate planning – a fresh new field in the realm of legacy and inheritance.

    Unearth your Digital Treasures

    Start your digital estate planning journey by diving into the depths of your digital ocean. This could include anything from your priceless family photos stored on your cloud drive, your half-completed sci-fi novel, to your extensive digital currency portfolio. Give your digital life the Marie Kondo treatment and declutter where you can!

    The Digital Filing Cabinet

    Once you’ve scoured the digital seabed and assembled your treasures, it’s time to give them a good polish and organize. Name those folders clearly, sort those files logically, and bid farewell to the ‘New Folder (77)’ phenomenon.

    The Golden Key

    Next, let’s fashion the golden key that unlocks your digital vault. Create a secure document with all the necessary information to access your treasures. This could be usernames, passwords, and even answers to those pesky security questions. Encrypt this document and store it safely. It’s your map to the treasure, treat it like one!

    Meet your Digital Estate Planner

    Feeling overwhelmed? Fear not! Digital estate planning services are here to the rescue. These brave adventurers are experts in safeguarding your digital assets and can guide your loved ones when the time comes. They’re like the Gandalf to your Frodo, providing guidance in this novel journey.

    The Chosen One – Your Digital Executor

    Pick your digital torchbearer, the trusted person who will carry out your wishes in the digital realm. Choose someone tech-savvy who can navigate the digital labyrinth, like Neo in ‘The Matrix’.

    Your Digital Will

    Now, draft your digital will, specifying what happens to your assets once you’ve logged off for the last time. Perhaps you’d like your grandchildren to have your e-book collection or your Twitter account to be memorialised? Get it all down in writing.

    Knowledge is Power – Your Digital Guide

    Leave behind a ‘digital guide’, imparting your wisdom on how to navigate your digital empire. After all, as Dumbledore said, ‘Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.’ Similarly, your guide will assist those who seek it.

    There you have it! An epic quest in the realm of digital estate planning. As you embark on this journey, remember that this is a new trail you’re blazing, and it’s not just about practicality, but also about creating an enduring legacy in the world of ones and zeros.

  • Why Folders are Becoming Irrelevant in the Digital Age

    It’s a bold statement, but it’s one that we’re willing to make: folders are dead. No longer do we need to rely on clunky, outdated organizational systems to keep our files in order. In fact, the whole concept of a “folder” is becoming increasingly irrelevant in the modern age of technology.

    First, let’s take a step back and consider what folders are and why they were invented in the first place. A folder is simply a virtual container that holds a group of files. It’s a way of organizing and categorizing information, making it easier to find and access later.

    But as technology has evolved, so too have the ways in which we store and access our files. In the early days of computing, folders were a necessary evil. Hard drives were small, and it was important to keep things organized to avoid losing important documents. But as storage capacity has increased, the need for folders has decreased.

    Nowadays, we have access to vast amounts of cloud storage, which allows us to store an almost unlimited amount of data. This has completely changed the way we think about file organization. We no longer need to worry about saving files to specific locations or creating complex folder hierarchies. Instead, we can simply save everything to the cloud and access it from anywhere with an internet connection.

    But the death of folders goes beyond just an increase in storage capacity. The rise of search has also played a role in their demise. In the past, if you wanted to find a specific file, you had to remember which folder it was saved in and navigate to that location. But with the advent of powerful search algorithms, we can now simply type a few keywords into a search bar and find the exact file we’re looking for, regardless of where it’s stored.

    Of course, folders are still useful for some things. For example, if you’re working on a team project and need to share a group of related files, creating a folder can make it easier for everyone to access the necessary documents. But for the most part, folders are becoming less and less necessary as we move towards a more search-based approach to file organization.

    So, the next time you find yourself struggling to remember where you saved that important report, consider ditching the folders and using a search tool instead. Trust us, your future self will thank you.