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Synology Hybrid Backup, Part 3

In Storage, Technology by J Michel Metz3 Comments

This is the third installment of the 3-2-1 backup workflow that I have established using Synology’s DSM 5.2 software. My goal is to illustrate a multi-tiered backup plan using my Synology equipment and the built-in tools to establish a resilient method for surviving data loss. In the first post, I discussed some of the considerations of backups and a provided …

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Synology Hybrid Backup, Part 2

In Storage, Technology by J Michel Metz9 Comments

In the first article, I started talking about how to use the Synology to solve my various backup problems. I’m a bit picky about how the way I like my data organized, and as usual your mileage will vary, but because of the nature of my setup I need to use a variety of tools available within the Synology ecosystem. …

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Synology Hybrid Backup, Part 1

In Storage, Technology by J Michel Metz7 Comments

We’ve all had it happen: that moment when the computer freezes, and hours of work is lost forever. But when the loss is catastrophic – a bad disk drive, the dreaded ‘clicking’ noise that signals you’re in deep, deep trouble, etc. – you know just how soul-crushing it can be. I have a particular plan in mind for satisfying my own …

FCC Announces “Net Neutrality” Order

In Government, Technology by J Michel MetzLeave a Comment

The FCC today released it’s “Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet” order, a.k.a. “Net Neutrality.” Weighing in at nearly 600 pages, it is a monstrous behemoth. It’s important to note that the order was not unanimous among the commissioners (3-2). Commissioners Pai and O’Rielly dissenting and issuing separate statements and included as an addendum inside the document. The contents of this …

Synology DSM 5.2 Beta Could Be A Big Deal

In Storage, Technology by J Michel Metz5 Comments

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Synology. The company has always, always treated me well. In fact if more companies acted like Synology did, I think that we’d have a lot of very happy consumers out there. It’s also no secret that I simply do not trust “The Cloud” for securing personal data. As I’ve said before …

Balancing Act: The Struggle Between Orality and Linearity in Computer-Mediated Communication

In Academia, Philosophy, Technology by J Michel MetzLeave a Comment

This is a recovery of a peer-reviewed article published in 1996 in the New Jersey Journal of Communication (now the Atlantic Journal of Communication). Full Citation: Metz, J. M. (1996). Balancing act: The struggle between orality and linearity in computer mediated communication. The New Jersey Journal of Communication, 4, 61-70.000

A Brief History of the Internet

In Academia, Technology by J Michel Metz1 Comment

You probably thought that the Internet was created to survive a nuclear attack. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the true origins of the Internet had no military usage whatsoever. How do I know? I talked to several people who actually created the Internet (well, it was called the ARPANET back then). I took the material from …

Rant on “Gurus” and “Experts”

In Marketing, Technology by J Michel Metz21 Comments

I gotta vent. I just gotta. I’ve long been annoyed as hell by those people who call themselves “experts” or “gurus” on any particular subject, simply because they have an obsession that they wish to rationalize. Among those I think have carved out their own special corner of hell: Life Coaches Motivational Speakers Personal Shoppers Change Agents Feng Shui Experts …

Alcohol and the Tech Industry

In Marketing, Philosophy, Technology by J Michel MetzLeave a Comment

An article on Alcohol and the Tech Industry, written by Kara Sowles, came through my twitter stream today, followed by a few enthusiastic virtual thumbs up. I’ve written before about the Tech industry and inappropriate behavior (often as a result of overindulgence of alcohol), and I don’t have any problems with the suggestions Ms. Sowles makes about how to improve the …