Computer nerds, give me some advice.

[BlueC]

The biggest consideration here is how important syncing to local drive is vs a cloud solution? A cloud solution can be encrypted and secure. Cloud approach would make solving this problem easier and more reliable.

For my personnel files and pictures I really want to avoid cloud storage, I just don't feel it's secure, and I'd be mad to see my face on a Chinese billboard without getting paid for it. The work files are already encrypted, so I feel like cloud storage is less of a threat, but I did figure out that google has been able to fish out some pictures here and there while sending files through gmail. That was actually surprising and a little alarming.

When I travel with my laptop, I almost never produce new work. It's almost all accessing and revising recently completed files. I think if it would auto sync only while in office, there would be no issue.

I'm thinking if I run a desktop as a primary and utilize the laptop as a contingency, mobile unit that updates weekly or manually right before I need to take it somewhere, that would be ideal for my current situation.

 

[Zorba]

Sounds like a NAS (Network Attached Storage) would be ideal. However, I'd advise BOTH local and cloud storage. What happens if your house burns down or someone breaks in and steals your local storage? Another alternative would be a pair (or more!) of USB hard drives that you rotate through offsite storage - a poor man's "Iron Mountain" solution. I actually do all three, NAS, cloud, and a pair of hard drives that I swap off monthly in my bank's safe deposit box.

 

[BlueC]

Sounds like a NAS (Network Attached Storage) would be ideal.

I'm not familiar with that term, is that just a computer within the network for storage only? Like a mini server or something?

Something to keep in mind is that cost is relevant here. While I do get to write off my equipment, software and services, it is still a cost. I'd like to keep that as low as practical while achieving my needs and most wants.

 

[Zorba]

I'm not familiar with that term, is that just a computer within the network for storage only? Like a mini server or something?

Something to keep in mind is that cost is relevant here. While I do get to write off my equipment, software and services, it is still a cost. I'd like to keep that as low as practical while achieving my needs and most wants.

There are commercially available NAS units - I have one. It cost around $400. You could also re-purpose an older system as one. I get it about costs - I bitched all the way to the bank about it, but what's your data worth? If you have a smartphone, you OBVIOUSLY can afford a NAS!! (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

 

[Zorba]

I have a Synology NAS, there are others: https://www.synology.com/en-us/support/nas_selector

 

[BlueC]

If you have a smartphone, you OBVIOUSLY can afford a NAS!! (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Hey, it's time to buy a new one of those too. I'm one of those lucky people when 1 thing goes wrong, 3 other things immediately pile on. The morning my computer crashed, the radio in my work car started yelling at me (I had to pull the fuse), and I was honestly surprised that nothing physically blew up by the end of that day. In kickboxing we called that "the shark tank", but that was easier for me to deal with. But that was only 2 things, so I'm still expecting something to hit me soon.

 

[Zorba]

Hey, it's time to buy a new one of those too. I'm one of those lucky people when 1 thing goes wrong, 3 other things immediately pile on. The morning my computer crashed, the radio in my work car started yelling at me (I had to pull the fuse), and I was honestly surprised that nothing physically blew up by the end of that day. In kickboxing we called that "the shark tank", but that was easier for me to deal with.

If its more than 6 months old, of course you need a new one! If you don't believe me, just ask your TelCo! But seriously, bad things frequently come in threes.

 

[lBasket]

Any suggestion beyond something like Google drive or Microsoft 365 and a decent laptop is overkill for a guy that doesn't want to mess with crap all the time and just edits documents IMO

 

[Apparition]

Any suggestion beyond something like Google drive or Microsoft 365 and a decent laptop is overkill for a guy that doesn't want to mess with crap all the time and just edits documents IMO

Since the laptop sounded rarely used I was thinking a flash drive was about all that was needed for the rarely needed file transfer.

EDIT: Or wifi transfer between computers as needed.

 

[Zorba]

Any suggestion beyond something like Google drive or Microsoft 365 and a decent laptop is overkill for a guy that doesn't want to mess with crap all the time and just edits documents IMO

As long as his data is easily reconstructed, sure - no problem. He's already stated that he doesn't want to do cloud storage, so I gave him alternatives. More "fiddly", but workable.

 

[Zorba]

Since the laptop sounded rarely used I was thinking a flash drive was about all that was needed for the rarely needed file transfer.

SneakerNet is underrated for sure! As the old saying goes, its hard to beat the bandwidth of a station wagon full of mag tapes going 55 down the freeway!

 

[BlueC]

If its more than 6 months old, of course you need a new one! If you don't believe me, just ask your TelCo! But seriously, bad things frequently come in threes.

I hate that consumer model, and that's a major reason I never went with Apple products. I try to buy durable goods since I hate spending money like that, especially on electronics. It turns out my computer is from '17-18 and my phone is from when everyone was closed for business, wearing masks and cutting crazy eyes. I specifically remember having to buy a new phone sitting in my car with a bitchy, on edge sales rep. Felt like I was John DeLorean being setup.

 

[Zorba]

I hate that consumer model, and that's a major reason I never went with Apple products. I try to buy durable goods since I hate spending money like that, especially on electronics. It turns out my computer is from '17-18 and my phone is from when everyone was closed for business, wearing masks and cutting crazy eyes. I specifically remember having to buy a new phone sitting in my car with a bitchy, on edge sales rep. Felt like I was John DeLorean being setup.

Apple doesn't want to even talk to you if your product is over two years old, and I've even seen it at the one year level. The entire Apple ecosphere is setup that way. I expect to get 10 years out of a computer - MINIMUM. My current system dates from 2011, and I'm only now thinking of a new one because my requirements have changed and I need "more power captain!".

As for phones, I expect them to last forever...

 

[BlueC]

Any suggestion beyond something like Google drive or Microsoft 365 and a decent laptop is overkill for a guy that doesn't want to mess with crap all the time and just edits documents IMO

For what it's worth, I just read minimum requirements from my software provider. i5, 8 gb RAM, and a 250ish hard drive. That is their minimum recommendation, so I doubt they include other things.

The best part is I have to deal with government standardized forms, and they're rolling out a new one by years end, but it's still being developed, so who knows what it will be. I hate the gov, but they're a fat thumb on the scales in my industry.

 

[lBasket]

For what it's worth, I just read minimum requirements from my software provider. i5, 8 gb RAM, and a 250ish hard drive. That is their minimum recommendation, so I doubt they include other things.

Sounds like a 300$ machine tbh. That isn't much of anything.

The best part is I have to deal with government standardized forms, and they're rolling out a new one by years end, but it's still being developed, so who knows what it will be. I hate the gov, but they're a fat thumb on the scales in my industry.

Better than wasting our tax dollars on a stupid new schwoopy UI with less functionality every year like private corps like to do

 

[Apparition]

Sounds like a 300$ machine tbh. That isn't much of anything.

Here's the one I bought for $155.40 after tax at least a year ago

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089B5PVQJ?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[lBasket]

Here's the one I bought for $155.40 after tax at least a year ago

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089B5PVQJ?tag=wranglerorg-20

Even less than I thought lol. I actually ran a laptop like that for a long time in college. Is that one of the no-fan models?

I prefer very lightweight laptops with good battery life since I have a powerful desktop too. But nothing in this thread points to that as necessary IMO

 

[joelachr]

I think I'd heard about this option in the past and it popped back into my head. https://www.resilio.com/sync/

Anyone familiar with this? I skimmed their FAQ section quickly and didn't see anything mentioned about encryption. If syncing could be limited to the local LAN, that may help.

 

[Apparition]

Is that one of the no-fan models?

No idea

It works though

 

[lBasket]

No idea

It works though

Normally you can tell cos you don't hear the fans. Lol. I think it's the M series CPUs that comes like that. Thing had insane battery life