What do you do when your primary computer dies?
I'm sure for many people a feeling of panic sets in. All of the files. Is there a recent backup somewhere? The dread of reinstalling all of the software and reconfiguring the settings. Oh no, what about the usernames and passwords for all of the mail accounts and website logins?
If you're prepared, there is no need to panic.
In fact, it's hard not to smile as the system does it's magic.
I'll explain...
My trusty MacBook Pro (early 2008 edition) started behaving erratically a couple of days ago. I took it to the Apple store, and the friendly Apple Genius prescribed a replacement logic board as a fix. It will take a couple of days. That MacBook went everywhere with me. My digital life is on that computer. What will I do in the meantime?
Step one. I created a user account for myself on my daughter's MacBook Pro. Step two. After logging in to her computer, I logged into MobileMe from the System Preferences panel and checked some settings:
A couple of minutes later, all of my setting had synced in. Launching mail started retrieving my messages. All 563 of my contacts are there. My calendar started repopulating itself. Within the hour, my new account began to feel like home.
Step three. I'm tempted to say, 'there is no step three'. In reality, there's still a bit of configuration remaining, and a few programs I'll need to install to be productive on my borrowed machine for a few days. But, I can't help but smile because of how painless MobileMe made the transition. That, and knowing that I have an up-to-date time machine backup of my entire machine at home, just in case the worst happens.
Still, it's an evolving, learning experience. I use (and really like) 1Password as a password manager. I do have it syncing with my Dropbox account, but before installing it I did need to reference some passwords using 1Password on my iPhone. A web-based tool like Lastpass might have made password management an access easier. Thankfully, I did enter many of my software serial numbers into 1Password, but some are in mailbox folders on my dead MacBook Pro. Overall, though, things are not as bad as they could have been.
So, are you prepared for a total system failure? How difficult would it be for you to get up and running if your primary computer suddenly died?
