My Data - How important is it

How important is my data? My data, personal and professional, is very important to me. I am a teacher with many lesson plans, pictures and projects to use in my classroom. I am a writer and have been since the day of the typewritter. In those days, I developed a pattern of reproducing multiple copies of whatever I was working on or completed. When I began using the computer, I kept this habit out of fear for what I didn't understand. I knew on a very deep level that I would be devastated if I lost any of my writing or projects and was unable to retrieve. This has not changed, I still feel the same way about my work, my photos and other projects that are born when I push the "power" button on my machine.

My work is an extension of myself, what can I afford to loose? What can I not afford to loose? I can't afford to loose any of it. The "stuff" that I can afford to loose I toss in the trash can and don't worry about it. Everything else, I save it on multiple flash drives, a network folder when at work, email it to myself to multiple email addresses, and the old fashioned method of printing off a hard copy just in case I have to reproduce it. That's right I want a hard copy just in case my computer fails me or I fail to save it, back it up and protect it enough times. Let me say that I am a recently converted technology believer (RCTB for short). I reveal and admit this so that you can understand my philosophy and practices concerning how I interact with data, very carefully. I don't completely or soley put my faith in technology. I try to use it responsibly, carefully and consistently in my classroom and personal life. What I don't do is use it blindly. I still know that technology is only as safe and reliable as its designers and users, all of whom are human. One mishap on my part or if Murphy decides to drag me into court and remind me who makes the law...then poof my precious work disappears to LaLa Land and I'm pulling out my hair with rivers of tears streaming down my face.

To prevent this I am always looking for better ways of doing something. I am always trying to find better ways of protecting my work, personal and professional, because I can't afford to loose any of it.