West, Donavon West

There, I said it. I hate backup software. Buying it, setting it up and configuring backup software is about as fun as going to the dentist. I'm sure that programs like Acronis True Image Home 2009 and Backup4all are fine pieces of coding technology in their own right, but I despise the fact that they even exist (again nothing personal against these companies).

I hate backup software, but I need to backup my data. So what do I do? That's why I bought a Windows Home Server (which I explain in my blog post on Home Server Hacks). With WHS, I don't have to think about backup or backup software. It's automatic and I don't even have to know about it. (Also, the Windows Home Server team blog explain the ins and outs of backup software a little better than I do, so please read their take on the whole mater).

Now I never backup my PC. My Windows Home Server does it for me!

*** Update ***

I'm not alone with my praise for Windows Home Server backups. Here's what one reader on HomeServerHacks.com had to say (MSS = HP's MediaSmart Server):

I have always been very careful about my data. My first attempt at backup a few years ago was with CD-RW disks. With the amount of data I had I needed about 25 disks to back it all up. What a pain in the butt!!! I then found about external disk drives and started using Ghost. This was the best solution that I found. Now that I have a MSS Home Server, it is an absolute delight to let all 6 of my home systems backup each and every night automatically. My MSS is one of the best computer upgrades I have done in a while

Over on the Windows Home Server Team Blog you can see some of the new Windows Home Servers that are being shown or talked about at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show.

Of course you will see the new HP MediaSmart Server EX485 and EX487 but there are also some exciting WHS systems from Acer, Shuttle, VIA and Tranquil.

According to the WHS team blog, one such system will be based on the VIA ARTiGO A2000 that I reviewed yesterday on Home Server Hacks. Another from VIA (based on the NSD-8000) holds a whopping 8 SATA drives!

Shuttle is taking the K45 (the $300 WHS) and K48 form factors and pre-loading WHS. Acer's offering is the Aspire Easy Store Home Server and Tranquil is showing it's “Squash” SQA-5H and announced an expansion bay that will hold 5 more drives.

Read more on the WHS Team Blog

Yeah! Windows 7 is on it's way. Less than hour to go and I should be able to start my install.

The Politics by Design exhibit opens today at the Dissident Display Gallery. One of my works titled "run hope" is featured, along with the works of various other poster designers. Dissident Display Gallery is located at 416 H Street NE in Washington, DC. For more information, call 202-332-3346 or visit http://www.dissidentdisplay.com.

Revel Carlberg West was born at 7:07am on Christmas Day. He weights in at a respectable 8 lbs 7 ozs and 21 inches long. Both baby and Mommy are doing fine.  According to my count, he has 10 fingers and 10 toes, but we're having that looked into by a specialist. :)

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Microsoft Virtual Earth and MSNBC are changing the game this year when it comes to tracking Santa. You’ve all seen the NORAD Santa Tracker and while that’s been fun over the years, well, it has gotten a bit stale. So, a few of us here in the Virtual Earth Product Group decided it was time to spice things up and build a more immersive 3D tracking mechanism for Santa and his reindeer. Not only that, but we went ahead and recreated a 3D version of Santa’s Village at The North Pole.

read more on Chris Pendleton's Virtual Earth blog

One of the Obama posters that I designed and submitted to the website Design for Obama has been chosen to be featured in a gallery exhibit.  It's titled "run hope" and will be shown during the month of January 2009 at the Dissident Display Gallery in Washington DC. The exhibit will be rather timely with Inauguration Day coming on January 20th.

My day job is that of a computer consultant. I've never been involved with a gallery showing so this is not only unexpected and a great honor, but pretty damn cool!