Does My Computer Have the H1N1?

By: Steve O'Dea - Pacer Solutions Expert

I ask this question because, well it sure seems like there is something wrong with it. It is sluggish and lethargic and is also so warm that it must have a fever. It is not coughing or anything yet but it is definitely not operating at 100%. Perhaps the gerbils running on the wheel inside of there are not getting enough oxygen, food or water. I know everyone experiences computer problems and most of the time it is user error (except in my case). These appliances that have become such a crucial part of our everyday lives just happen to develop personalities over time. Mine seems mean and surly at the moment.

In the last 15 years our society’s dependence on the computer might have surpassed the refrigerator. Think about it. Many of us pay bills, correspond and social network via the computer. We share and print photos using our computer. These are life related tasks that are taken for granted until something happens and our computer decides it is not feeling well. What happened to the encyclopedia? Google is what happened to it. Many people watch TV shows on their computer, play games and listen to music as well replacing a host of other electronic devices that at one time we could not live without. These are examples that have nothing to do with actual work or employment. Many people work remotely from home or the road. We have become so reliant on these magical machines that when something goes wrong, and it does, it is truly a tragedy.

Growing up, my mother had boxes of photos, photo albums and loose photos in a drawer in the living room (the room that no one ever used). I always thought that seemed risky because what if there was a fire or a water pipe burst and ruined them all. Although with the way I was dressed in the 70’s perhaps loosing a few images would not be such a bad thing. Now it is commonplace to have all of our photos on a computer. I think you will agree that the chances of your computer crashing are much more likely to happen than the above mentioned disasters. Who is living the risky life now?

Pacer, while manufacturing superior wire and cable can continue with this wire making process without our computer, until Underwriters Laboratory shows up to do an audit on our compliances. At that point we need a system to show them our compliance checks and calibrations. Also this website that you are currently visiting would cease to function if our computers go down. That means that even this blog will not be read by the dozens of people who enjoy my tales of useless information. You get the picture. I am sure most of you have experienced this feeling of helplessness while your computer decided to call in sick.

I encourage you to back up your information. My wife keeps all of our important and irreplaceable pictures and files on an external hard drive so in the event of a hurricane evacuation we can just unplug the little box and take it with us. Don’t worry, if something like that happens we will forget to take it with us, but I’ll have my favorite cooler and my wife will have her hair products secure on our way to safety. This entry is simply a reminder to take some safeguarding action now with your computer and your most important files. Don’t wait until it’s too late, because most people don’t think about it until there is a crash. Hopefully by the time this is posted I will have my computer back up and running and not working from an unfamiliar desk with limited access. Happy computing!

Does My Computer Have the H1N1?

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