I was recently asked, “How effective is your daily data backup in your practice?” I had no idea so I retorted, “Very effective… I think.” With over twenty-five years of experience in the dental industry, I have amassed extensive clinical and administrative knowledge. However, I confess that technical issues still perplex me.

My paths first crossed with data backup before the days of computers. A fire broke out in the building where my dental practice was located. As I hauled my A/R ledgers and appointment book outside to safety, it dawned on me how fragile data and our data storage were. As the firemen extinguished the fire, I reasoned I could not expect our staff to carry the heavy and cumbersome records home everyday. What preventative measures could be taken in the event of an after-hour disaster? I crossed my fingers and prayed disaster would never strike again.

As computers manifested into the workplace, my love-hate relationship with tape backups emerged. Each of five tapes, beautifully labeled with the days of the week, accompanied an “advanced” procedure: remove the previous day’s tape at the end of the day, tuck it into your purse and store it at home; insert today’s tape into the tape drive for immediate data storage. My colleagues and I were awestruck by our flawless practice; that is until disaster #2 struck. Our computer crashed. With tape backups in hand, we boldly approached our software vendor to recover our data. “What do you mean the data on the tapes is incomplete or missing? You can only recover 10% of our data?” I begged. One agonizing year later of recruiting help and sifting through day end sheets (which luckily we had printed beforehand), we recovered our lost data. Our misfortune was perplexing; we had done everything we were told to do. Our software company conceded, “Your tapes are old, but can be maintained current by purchasing new ones monthly for a mere $150/month.” Can we say robbery? Oh yes, and there was no guarantee with the tapes.

Data loss can be catastrophic when it strikes home. Cognizant that my most precious data is personal pictures, I burned all of my photos to CD. The peril of this simple and affordable approach was exposed when my home computer crashed. I loaded the first of thirteen CD’s onto my fixed computer only to find nothing. I lost all of my pictures of my children, holidays and special occasions; even my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. The sting of that moment will forever haunt me.

May the age of automation have mercy on me? There must be a bright side to technology. I settled into the world of “automatic timely back-ups” (too good to be true), data encryption (say what?) and 100% restoration (right, I have heard that before). My software vendor was annoyed by my skepticism proclaiming I should be “thankful for technology.” Forgive my doubt but his artificial words did not deliver peaceful slumber.

I will be the first to admit it is easier to believe the plethora of lies out there about data protection, than to uncover the truth and establish proper protection. However I cannot disregard the anguish of data loss or the vast ignorance that surrounds it. While the dental software I most recently used was best in class, it was non-compliant with provincial dental association’s data retention requirements; we did not maintain or protect ten years of our patient files. If we ever had to restore our data, we would have been shocked by the sticker price that we thought was included in our monthly fee.

One thing I am certain, you will be threatened by data loss. Computers fail. Make sure you are protecting what you could not afford to lose. No matter how great software affects your bottom line, or how gorgeous that picture is of your newborn, it is worth nothing when it is gone and will cost you more than you could ever imagine. I encourage you to avoid the pain I experienced by taking the time to discuss the importance of this matter with someone who specializes in IT data backup. Ensure that your system will allow for complete disaster recovery. Ignorance is not bliss, at least not when we are talking computers.

Nelle Pedersen currently serves on the executive team of Toggle Networks, Inc, a Calgary firm committed to data protection.

I am headed off to “Sin City” next week with 4 of my girlfriends. It has been a long time since I was there last. The year was 1978 and my family drove from Calgary, AB to Scottsdale, AZ for a winter break. We had planned to spend a night one Las Vegas. I was a minor at this time, so there was no gambling done by me. This certainly didn’t minimize my view of Vegas. It was not a vacation spot for children in 1978, but my parents attempted to let us take in what we could. As we drove downtown, I can recall being totally mesmerized by the lights. My brothers on the other hand were all giggles whenever they spotted the exotic dancer bars, and there were LOTS of them. I can recall my mother trying to distract my brother’s views by recommending other sites to look at.

“The Strip” was certainly there, and not like it is now. Most of the hotels that were on “The Strip” in 1978 have been bulldozed and rebuilt into magical palaces. I am not a gambler, but am anxious to try it. I have my allotted amount of gambling money, that I view as my “throwing away” money. If I do win anything, it will just be a bonus. Beating the Casinos is not impossible but I need to be realistic. It is unlikely that I will win with the odds stacked against me. Here are the approximate odds on some of the games in Las Vegas:

Keno - 30%. Slot Machines - 3%-25%
Roulette - 5.25% Video Poker - 0% to 5%
Craps - 1.4%
BlackJack - 0%-3%

I am just looking forward to seeing the shows, hotels, and chillin’ with my girlfriends. There will be no further comments from me on this posting, because “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” Wish me luck.

I had forgotten all about my friend’s fate.  For those of you not familiar with the Kokanee Ranger, he is the much talked about (and much hated), beer protector.  His job is to protect mankind from the stealing Sasquatch of Southern BC.  He has been the topic of discussion as of late, as Kokanee Beer was deciding his future.  It was decided that a vote would take place.  The people of Canada’s voice would be heard as to whether he should live or die.  Well the votes are in, and it is not good for my “Sweet Prince”.  It was a close one: 

• Live:  303,311
• Die:   304,672

Well Ranger, I am sorry for your fate.  What a close vote, only a difference of 1361 votes.  I demand a recount.  How could my “Sweet Prince” be voted off?  This isn’t reality TV, this is advertising.  What really got to me was the video that Sasquatch entered entitled “I am Sasquatch“, which was totally biased and not reflective of a great man.  Although I am sad for your fate, I have to say I did enjoy the live or die videos.  I guess we won’t know your true outcome, until your new commercial airs.  Good Luck!

I discovered a wasp nest in my yard yesterday.  As usual, it comes as a shock when you come across and disturb a wasp nest.  There were wasps’ flying everywhere, and me running into the house in record speed.  The nest that I discovered is actually underground.  I have battled many wasp nest’s in my day, but this is my first underground nest.  I pondered how to begin my “total annihilation” of this species from my yard.  My first attempt was not well thought out.  I decided to soak a towel, and lay it over the wasp area.  I then decided that I could drown the wasps, by turning on the hose over the towel, and soak the area.  What I didn’t count on was the number of wasps which were out of the nest at the time.  Within minutes, I had about 20 wasps in my area, trying to get into their blocked nest.  Time for a new plan.  I went and got some nest foam which I have used with great success in the past.  The problem for me is I don’t know if I will be able to access the entrance for the wasps.  I have tried to make my yard easy to maintain.  No grass at all in the backyard, and most of my gardens are covered in rock with plants interspersed throughout.  Under my rocks, I have placed a landscaping cloth.  My plan was to wait until either dusk or dawn, and pull on the landscape cloth, to expose the nest, and then hopefully see an entrance hole, and blast it with foam.  I attempted this procedure both last night and this morning, but as soon as I touched the cloth, the wasps came out.  I thought they were supposed to be dormant in the dark.  Perhaps it is because they are experiencing flood damage, that they have stayed awake all night.  My next attempt will be fire.  I have also burned many nests in the past also with great success.  I am hopeful that I can just burn right through my landscaping cloth.  I will have to test this first however.  I don’t want my whole back yard to go up in flames.  If all else fails, there is a frost in our near future.  I can always wait for Mother Nature to take care of the problem for me.

There is a lot of talk these days about sports being added and deleted to the Olympic games.  The sports which are on the chopping block for the 2012 games in London are softball, baseball and the modern pentathlon.  The IOC President Jacques Rogge, has stipulated on a go forward basis if any new sports are to be added to the games, the same number of sports have to be removed.  Some of the sports that are being considered as additions for 2012 include golf, rugby, karate, squash and “roller sports.”  I don’t even want to begin a discussion on “Roller Sports”, because I have visions of “roller derby” being entered as an Olympic Sport.  What I am interested in blogging, is what sports do you think should be removed?  I think I live in the greatest country in the world, Canada.  Our summer Olympic medal tally is however quite weak.  We didn’t have our first medal until Day 8 in Beijing, but this 2nd week of competition has been much better for the Canadian Athletes.  My first choice for removal from the Olympics has changed.  It initially was Trampoline, but Canada has now received 2 medals for this sport, so it is now my favorite sport.  I say keep Trampoline, but let’s turf Ping Pong or Table Tennis.  Let’s remember that this is a game that is best played with friends and beer.  My next choice would be Rhythmic Gymnastics.  I may have to change my mind about this one too, because Canada has done well with this sport in the past, and we may get a coveted medal in this sport.    I would have even said Equestrian events last week, but now it is another favorite sport of mine due to the shiny silver medal we got.  I just don’t understand why we don’t give the medals to the horses.  Don’t they do all the work?  We need to find a sport where Canada has little chance of winning.  It is pitiful that I have to think along these terms to get a sport removed, but we are truly not a threat in the summer games.  My final choice would be to remove Tennis.  Some of these players make a “gazillion” dollars a year, and do not fit my idea of an Olympian, plus, what chance has Canada of ever getting a medal in this sport.  Let’s bring back to the Olympics the sport of Lacrosse.  It was in 4 past Olympics, 1904,1928, 1932 and 1948.  I know we would do well in this sport again.  Can you believe that even Tug-Of-War was in 6 Olympic games.  In the end all I can do is cheer “Go Canada Go”, and wait for the winter games to come to Vancouver.  As the home team, I am hopeful for our best medal count to date.  Go Canada Go!

I certainly don’t need any illegal and pricey drugs? My drug of choice is caffeine. I really didn’t think much about it until my Doctor recently told me that I should go without caffeine. I thought it would be easy. Well, let me tell you that it isn’t. This is my 10th day of being caffeine free, but it is definately my toughest day so far. Last week, I was on holidays, and didn’t even think of coffee until I drove past a Tim Horton’s. Today is my first day back to work, after my vacation. I sit within smelling distance of the coffee machine here. When the fresh pots are being brewed, I start salivating. I try to convince myself that I would rather have water, but who am I kidding. I want coffee. Let me rephrase that: I NEED COFFEE. It is now a force that is controling my life. With my web research, I have discovered that there is no such thing as caffeine free. All of these so called decaffeinated products still contain small amounts of caffeine in their contents. Tim Horton’s has an easy to read listing of caffeine content, so at least I can chose the lesser of the evils. I have decided that it is unhealthy for me to quit caffeine cold turkey, and have decided on the decaf route. I can easily forgo the other caffeine laced treats like sodas, chocolate and teas. Some prescription drugs even contain caffeine. In the end, all is can say is make mine a “Large Decaf with 1 milk & 1/2 a sugar“.

The kids and I are off to West Edmonton Mall this weekend.  My kids have seen so much of the world, but I find it funny that I have never taken them to Edmonton.  My daughter who is 13 years old, is a dedicated shopper, and is anxious to visit every single store in the mall.  My son however, who is 18, has little desire to shop, so he will no doubt hang out in the amusement park or the water park.  I know we will all eventually meet up.  With over 800 stores, I had better wear comfy shoes.  There are all sorts of activities that we can do while we are they also.  We can play ”glow in the dark mini-golf” or just regular mini golf if we desire.  We can even swim with the Sea Lions.  I have done the “Dolphin Swim” in the past, so I will most likely fore go this event, but we will definitely have a look at it.  Sea Lions have really big teeth, which makes this far less appealing to me. 

After we are done with Edmonton, we are going to do a loop back to our home in Calgary and visit a few more places.  We are going to spend a few days in beautiful Jasper Alberta.  My kids have never been here before either.  It amazes me that they have traveled all over North America, but have seen so little of Alberta.  Well, it is time I change this.  There is so much to see in this beautiful province, that I am sure we will enjoy our little “stomp” around Alberta.

I was away camping on the weekend, and suffered my first ever “Vertigo” attack.  It was a strange feeling, not being able to walk a straight line while completely sober.  We were sitting around the campfire on Sunday evening when I first noticed the vertigo.  It hit me just as I stood up after sitting for about 1/2 an hour.  I just about fell into the fire.  I thought I had just tripped, but then found I couldn’t walk without weaving.  At this point I started feeling nauseous and thought I should just go lie down in bed.  Everything is great when I am horizontal, and I have no symptoms whatsoever.  But the moment I stand or sit up, my world starts spinning.  I knew that I had to improve, as I was in no shape to drive the 4 hours home yesterday.  I decided to leave my tent trailer at Wasa Lake, and have my friends 16 year old son drive me home.  It was fun hanging out with him, and he did a great job of driving.  Today I am pleased to say, my symptoms are less, but still evident.  Hopefully this will be a short lived event.

I apparently am really good at thinking of ideas at the last minute.  I am an avid gardener, and pay a small fortune for the flowers I plant.  They are all so beautiful, sitting on and around my deck.  With Calgary having such a short growing season of only 115 consecutive frost free days in the average year, I am only able to enjoy my flowers for a short time.  My other summer enjoyment, is getting away from the city.  The problem is that I have to rely on my neighbourhood kids to come and water my plants.  Needless to say, when I come home from vacation, there are always tragedies awaiting me in my backyard.  Last year alone, I lost 80% of my plants while I was on my 2 week summer vacation.  The real injustice came later that day when i realized that I still had to pay the inept teenager who looked after my yard and cat (Luckily, the cat fared better than the plants).  To alleviate this from ever happening to me again, I thought I would purchase a deck watering system from my favorite store, Lee Valley.  I thought I would have this thing up and running in a few hours.  This however was not the case.  Besides continually running out of parts (poor planning on my part), and having problems with my timer on my water lines, this project has become all consuming.   I am under the crunch because I am going away this weekend, and do not want to risk the loss of plant life with the teenagers looking after my yard.  I am hopeful that my next blog will not be on the death of plants.

One of my favourite weekends is happening this coming weekend.  I get to have a little mini-vacation out to beautiful Wasa Lake, BC.   Actually it will be a good test for me with my recent purchase.  I bought a used Coleman tent trailer.  For you people east of Alberta, I have been told that you call them “Pop-Up” trailers.  I haven’t taken it out yet, and am slightly worried about how my vehicle will handle this heavy tent trailer in the mountains.  My SUV is rated for 3500 lbs towing capacity, and my tent trailer is 3200 lbs.  I took the trailer to the weigh scales just south of my home, so I know for sure how much it weighs.  With the added weight of food and cooking/tableware supplies, I am sure that I will be close to the 3500 lb limit.  I have done all of the prep work however.  The bearings have been done, the brakes have been serviced, tire pressure checked, and I had new chains installed.  I also had to make some changes to my vehicle to accept this new trailer.  I needed to install a 7 prong plug for the lights, as my vehicle only had the straight 4 prong system.  I had also scheduled my vehicle in with the Ford dealership to have a transmission cooler installed, and was surprised to learn that newer Ford vehicles have these already built into the air-conditioning unit.  I called 3 different Ford dealerships, as I wanted to make sure that this was the correct information I was being given.  Nothing is worse than breaking  down on your holidays.  I am hopeful of an uneventful drive, great weather and good times with my family and friends.  Have a great weekend yourself!