A New Beginning
I just previously posted that I did an Operating System (OS) update to my to my little Asus net-book to XUBUNTU. I have had a chance to use it for awhile and have decided it was an excellent decision. I again have a very usable small computer I can use on a regular basis.
Another system problem was corrected at nearly the same time. I have a USB hard drive that is connected to the network through my router/switch. The first one has failed after what I think is at least 6 and probably more years of 24/7 spinning. I had purchased it originally as a back up for my work computer. The I pressed it into service as my NAS type LAN file server at home.
It was beginning to die on the vine, so to speak, so I knew its end was near. I backed it up (only 105 GB or so out of a 500 GB capacity) to my Linux Sandbox machine. I ordered a 2 Terabyte drive as a replacement. Large drives are rather low cost these days.
The new drive arrived the day the old drive totally failed. Good timing and I was glad I had acomplished the back up. In my experience most drives give some sort of indication when they are failing. Unless of course it is because of a lightning strike.
The new drive will go to sleep when not being accessed for a few minutes. This is exactly what I desire. It is a 7200 RPM drive and it does not need to be spinning 24/7 when it is not being used. The start-up is no issue and no where near the time I used to experience accessing corporate LAN file servers. I am pleased. After the first access and the drive is “awake” there is no noticeable lag as it is well buffered.
I never work directly off a LAN drive even when I worked in corporate offices. I would open them for reading, etc. but not for long sessions. We didn’t have the sharing ability that is now built into MS Office and other programs. I always did the work local as the file on the LAN was always locked to others if I had it open. On my home network I don’t have a sharing issue.
I just tested access using the net-book and it works just fine. I now have two Terabytes available for storage with my net-book. It is nice to know it is accessible but I doubt I will use it very much with the net-book. Perhaps file transfers and as a back up location. This little computer is not really a work station.
It does let me get out of my home office cubbyhole and enjoy the light of day once in awhile. Life is good once again… A new life for me as well as the net-book, Ha!
I just have to add my own comment. I am using the net-book now. Net-books are limited by design, but the XUBUNTU OS install has given this one new life. It is again a very usable PC within its hardware limitations.