General Meeting Review of November 17, 2005

by Liz Wright

       The November general meeting of the Computer Club of Oklahoma City was a forum by members on some of the latest techniques and devices for data storage on our computers. John Brewer and J. P. Williams demonstrated the ease with which old, working hard drives can be converted to USB external drives. This is such a good way to recycle usable but outdated hard drives. All of us can use more storage space, whether it is in our homes or on our computers.
       David Robbins presented a short program on the new Microsoft verification process for Windows XP. He then answered questions about data backup and hard disk mirroring programs such as RAID. He pointed out the difference between Backup utilities, Imaging software and Mirroring technology. Most of us need to be seriously thinking about that day when our hard drive, especially the one containing our operating system, turns up its toes and dies. The sooner we put in place a rescue system, the less likely we will be to lose our personal information.

However, the mirroring technology is very complicated and for average users, advice

from a competent professional is truly essential.

The winners of door prizes for the evening were:
Ina Lou Marquiss
Ronald Hickman
Coy Mobley