The Libloggery: blogging creative writing, photography, opinion, and random fun.

Although I think the jury is still out on the backup service provided by Carbonite, for the most part it has worked and functioned just as advertised. It works in the background, backing up your data so you don't have to remember to do it manually. It requires an internet connection as your data is uploaded to their systems, which affords a level of protection an external hard drive sitting next to your computer can't offer should a fire or flood occur. They also allow you a free trial without credit card information, which is a big plus.

However, their customer service leaves something to be desired. Should you need to contact them, the only method is through email. There is no number listed on the website, although you can have them call you. I'm still waiting for a response to an issue I had. It's been over 24 hours, and I have yet to hear from them, despite promises on the website that they typically respond within 24 hours. Because I have not heard from them and put my trust in their product, I have been unable to work on a couple of important projects.

Should you use the service, I hope you do not have these issues. I know this is a company just starting up, but the founder has plenty of experience starting companies, so he should have realized prompt customer support and service will be key to separate him from his current and future competitors.

Update, Aug. 23: I received an email last night from Carbonite asking for some more information in order to verify my identity. After I replied I received another email this morning allowing me to resolve my issue. Since then, I've been downloading my data to my new computer with no problems at all! It seems to be working exactly as advertised. I do recommend it if you have lots of data (documents, photographs, etc.) on your computer that you can't replace.

V for Vendetta

Last night I saw the movie "V for Vendetta". I knew a little about it going in, like it had originally been directed at Margaret Thatcher, it was set in England, and that it had a political slant. I must admit I did not have high expectations going into the theater. However, it is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. It explores some themes of what happens when a society gives up its freedoms for security, how governments are still run by people, people that can be corrupted by power and greed. The primary plot of the movie focuses on one man's vendetta against people who have done terrible things in the past to him and others. He is a well spoken individual known only as V and wears a Guy Fawkes mask, a man who V sees as a sort of hero. "Ideas are bulletproof", he says. I don't want to give away too much of the movie, but I do highly recommend it. The special affects are well done, echoing some elements of the "Matrix", but the screen play was written by the Wachowski brothers and they also share producing credit. It is a very timely movie, given the current state of affairs in the world.

Rating: Willing to see again at non-matinee price.