I used Carbonite on Windows and was pretty happy with it as a backup solution.

I've used JungleDisk on both Windows and Mac. Though a bit more cumbersome to set up, it's more flexible than Carbonite. I liked it too.

But I currently use DropBox. It's not perfect (it only syncs whatever is on your DropBox folder, although on a Mac you can add symlinks to whatever other folders you want), but it has a killer capability that Carbonite and JungleDisk lack (last I checked): seemless syncing between computers. I love this; I don't have to think about where I saved a file when bouncing between the various computers in our house. If I upload a picture onto my computer when traveling, it's in our main photo library at home moments later (and it backed up, as well).

Yes, there are other ways to skin this cat, but DropBox does it all easily; I'm too old to waste time setting up cron jobs, etc.

I should also note that automated off-site backups are not just for the paranoid; when my wife's laptop died, hard, I was able to recover everything, down to the last email, thanks to JungleDisk.

People who hate sports analogies should stop reading here, as should Red Sox haters.

Some may recall that Mark Bellhorn, the Red Sox second baseman, was absolutely reviled by Sox fans in the 2004 ALCS. People were calling for his head left, right, and center, on account of his poor batting performance.

Like Geithner, he seemed pretty awkward in how he dealt with the public, and he never really inspired confidence in anyone.

Then, he just happened to hit a game-changing HR in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS, tacked on another in the slaughter of the Yankees in Game 7, and hit another game-winner in Game 1 of the World Series.

I sincerely hope Geithner is kind of like that.

And I'm still hoping that Obama is David Ortiz, Curt Schilling, Bill Mueller, and Dave Roberts wrapped into one.

What Cheney meant to say, I think, was that Obama would never cut it at the Legion of Doom. He's more League of Justice material.

http://www.panix.com/~kjm/images/boondocks_joker_luthor.gif

A red star for you.

Autos, trucks and heavy equipment.

We are taking a beating this year.

The founder of my company, who knows a thing or two about the Big 3 from the inside, had this to say about Obama's stance:

"Ballsy and right on target."

Obama has been in office for just over two months and got handed the biggest turd of a situation in quite some time. I'm a bit concerned about the influence of establishment Wall Street in his White House, but can we please give the guy a couple more months?

I continue to think that Obama is very deliberate and patient. I see some things here that, in addition to being tough love for the auto industry, may be setting him up for bank and health care strategies as well.

I've had my disappointments so far, but I still think Obama's pretty damn good.

I have sent emails directly to Andrew 4 times in the past 3 years, and each time I received a prompt, courteous, and personal response.

The most recent was a thread in which Andrew helped coordinate contributions to Yacouba Sawadogo so that he could retain his land (Google him).

I doubt trying to publicly shame Mr. Leonard is going to help your cause.

I know it's been a whole two months now, but I think most people remember that Obama didn't create this mess.

And while I wouldn't give him perfect scores for many things, I think he's doing pretty well.

His Administration may well be owned by Wall Street, which would be very bad. But I would advise those who are convinced of this to wait a few more months. My opinion is that things will change a bit. Obama's steering a big ship through eel-infested waters. He has to be very careful how fast he turns the tiller.

I'd say your numbers (normal, uncomplicated families) make up maybe 1/8 to 1/4 of families.

My wife's (huge) extended family is really functional and normal. A little stuff here and there, but by and large, happy. Family gatherings are a blast. My in-laws are awesome.

Then there's my family. Serious affluenza and mental health issues on Mom's side, and hard-to-categorize dysfunction on my Dad's side (he died of illness when he was young, so I frankly don't know how he would have fit into things). Family gatherings range from mildly enjoyable to pure pain. During the last dinner at my house, one close relative wanted to eat mashed potatoes while lying in my bed. While wearing an eye patch.

We are going to great lengths to make sure our kids get a lot more exposure to my mom's side.

And I am trying really, really hard to not mess up my kids. It's really not hard if you have reasonable self-awareness and are reasonably unselfish. But I am meeting so many parents that lack at least one of these.

Thanks for the thoughtful post.

It's a helpful reminder that most of us that Feel Strongly about the Geithner plan don't, in fact, know jack about the critical details.

So in Sheila Bair we trust? I can live with that.

I know he's the Manchurian anti-Christ and all, but man, he acts with a purpose.

Wagoner had to go, for a variety of reasons that are completely independent from GM's situation being his fault. But my hope had been, and this article only supports that hope, was that Obama used the Wagoner firing as a pointed message toward the bankers (yeah, Lewis, I'm looking at you).

Obama's staff may or may not be Wall Street sellouts, but I don't think Obama is.

This is going to get even more interesting.