The COW ate my data

How many times have you saved a document only to realize later that you really need that old version back?  Saved on top of an existing but different document? Deleted a file by mistake?

Of course, most of these scenarios are covered by various backup methods (you are performing regular backups, right?) but suppose that something happens between backup cycles or that regulatory requirements specify retention of all versions of a document, etc…  Enter a ‘versioning file system’.

A versioning file system automatically creates snapshots of files each time they are changed/saved.  What you see in your directory listing is the latest version but behind the scenes are maintained historical versions that track all changes made to the file over time.  For example, you can easily recreate the file as it existed last Tuesday at 2PM, a month ago, or 2 years ago.  All this without tapes!

None of this magic is free; the cost is increased disk space utilization.  However, only the changes to the data are stored, not entire copies.  The amount of overhead is dependent on the frequency and amount of changes to a file.  A solution like this is not appropriate for a highly-dynamic file such as a database or email inbox but is a solid solution for document files (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.).

Welcome

How antibacterial soaps and cleaners could make you VERY sick

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” is an oft quoted maxim that I personally feel is true.  However, when applied to bacteria the results are stronger bugs that may be resistant to treatment.

The common use of ‘antibacterial’ products in the home introduces enormous amounts of the chemicals that were previously only used in hospitals and labs.  These chemicals, while very effective at killing bacteria, don’t kill it all.  That this left behind contributes to the production of resistant strains of bacteria.  These strains have also been shown (in the lab) to be resistant to the most common treatments for bacterial infections.

The result is that we are contributing to the evolution of drug-resistant forms of bacteria through our use of anti-bacterial products in our homes.

Stick with soap and water; it is just as effective and does NOT contribute to super-bugs.

Strange but True: Antibacterial Products May Do More Harm Than Good: Scientific American

Truely wireless, solar powered WiFi

Acording to the Gizmodo piece this is a repeater rather than a full access point.  The difference being that it really just extends the range of a ‘real’ access point.  All the packets still have to make it back to the AP and then uplink from there.

Since you’re going to loose some percentage of packets on each hop (…repeater->repeater->access point) the more hops away you get the worse your service will become.

It’s rather cool in that it is useful where you have no power such as in a remote location (Scout camp) or temporary setups.  I don’t think I’m going to run out and buy them for my neighborhood however.

Free Wi-Fi: Meraki’s Solar-powered Repeater Lets You Create Your Own Neighborhood Network – Gizmodo