Around six years ago, my computer, with around four year's worth of data - hundreds of digital photos, emails, docs etc. died - taking the hard drive and all of its data with it. It was not backed up.

Since then, I have been very careful to back up my own personal laptop - with online storage for the most valuable photos and a rotation of three external hard drives.

My second laptop - supplied by the cluster - for cluster support & conference presentations also has a whole load of important data on it. Many hours of video. Presentations that I have given. Feedback forms. Support notes etc. It is not backed up.

The hard drive died this week - without warning. Ouch!

Learn from my mistake.