Backing Up My Mom's Laptop

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Here are a few steps I'd like to remember and recycle should the need arise


Procedure:
1. Start > Run > "recent"
2. Note the different file extentsions used (*.doc, *.xls, etc)
3. Install 7zip (or have a portable copy), if you dont have one already. LINK1
4. Start > Run > "cmd" ==> Command Prompt Opens
5. On Command Prompt, 7z a -r x:/ownername-backup.7z c:\*.doc c:\xls c:\*.mp3 ...

Advantage of this approach:
1. accessing "recent" items gives you a good idea of what file extension she uses.
2. 7z (command line 7zip) recursively searches the drive for your data, eliminating manually traversing her directory tree.
3. 7z maintains the directory structure. it makes it easier for them to find their data after restoration.

Optional Considerations:
1. you may use WinDirStat Portable (LINK2) to analyze the disk usage and identify the biggest directories.
2. in case, it has become difficult to use the default Windows Explorer, Free Commander Portable (LINK3) can become a very powerful shell replacement.

LINK1: http://portableapps.com/support/7-zip_portable
LINK2: http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/windirstat_portable
LINK3: http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/freecommander_portable
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Converting PDF to PDB, the hard way

Yesterday and today, I spent sometime converting some pdfs to text and then to html and then to pdb, which is a file for the Palm TX, particularly Isilo. Here are some of the tools I used.


iSiloX



A-PDF Text Extractor is a free tool that of course extracts the text from pdf (duh). There is a bit of problem on this part because there is no guarantee that all "text" are text. Some text may actually be pictures of text.

* This means I actually edited the document on Kompozer while simultaneously looking at the PDF to ensure I had everything. I know it sounds too much, but I really wanted to have my favorite productivity books on hand at all times via my PDA.

Kompozer Portable is an open source WYSIWYG HTML Editor. I occasionally have problems with it not receiving keyboard commands after a few hours of work. Closing and re-opening the document solves the issue.

iSiloX can be quite a powerful tool. Here is a tutorial page for converting an online site to an ebook. I am not really sure how it will handle the sidebars and ads but it is very promising. There are a lot of other features I haven't even began to explore.

Related Links: (IsiloX Tutorials)
Convert an HTML Document from the Web
Convert a Text Document from Your Local Hard Drive
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Ken Rename

There are a times when you have to rename a bunch of files. For such occasions, I use a windows freeware called Ken Rename. As of 2008.12.19, the program is at V0.68.

I also need to mention that a Portable version is also available. For those not in the know, "portable" here means it does not need to be installed. You just click on the app and off you go, making it perfect for your USB Swiss Knife. Hmm, there's a geeky thought.



One of the uses I have for this app is to rename backed-up (yeah right) mp3s as shown on the image above (click for larger picture). After it is properly renamed (i.e. using '-' as a delimiter), I use MusicMatch JukeBox v7.5's "Right Click --> Super Tagging --> Tag From Filename" function. (Maybe I should tag this post as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Tools, hehehe.)

Thanks Ken for such a wonderful freeware. (Parang close kami ah. Hehehe.)
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Mozilla Songbird

I found out about Mozilla Songbird at LifeHacker. They even recommended some Plug-Ins. The one that caught my attention was LyricMaster. I tried out the Plug-In and was simply delighted. I spent the next hour singing out to my MP3s (ok, not a sight you'd like to imagine) as their lyrics are automatically taken from some resource on the web.

It does have it's downside. I experienced some problems playing mp3 files with Variable Bit Rate (VBR), although MP3 Pro format seems ok.

Future stuffs I wish they'll add is something like the "Super Tagging" on the old MusicMatch JukeBox. For the unfamiliar, this features allows you to "Tag from Filename" and "Rename based on Tags". Very handy, if you ask me.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my littel experience with you.

What do you use to play or manage your mp3s? Let me know.

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