Re: off-topic: scheduled backup to external hard drive

["Patricia M. Godfrey" PriscaMG@xxxxxxxx]

Harry Binswanger wrote:
> Sounds fishy to me.
Et moi aussi. Some "tech guys" don't know what they're doing. They're
especially prone to have short memories and so forget how an older opsys
(or application) works.
> 1. plug a drive cable into the IDE port inside your box and run it
> (along with power) outside your box where you plug the other end into
> any bare drive. You don't need an enclosure: the bare drive is perfectly
> sealed and can function just swell lying on the carpet next to your box
> or wherever. You will have to shut down before attaching and detaching
> the cable to the external drive.
Now on that I should respectfully beg to differ. A hard drive generates
HEAT; modern ones, a lot. It needs a fan, and for that you need an
enclosure. Furthermore, leaving a slot open in the back of your box can
muck up the airflow in and out of the box, leading to overheating inside
it. And heat is very bad for components.
And don't even think of leaving it on the carpet if you have a kid or a
four-footed critter sharing your digs.

Patricia M. Godfrey
priscamg@xxxxxxxx