I have been using LogMeIn Hamachi for a private VPN over the Internet for some time and this is a great way to get access to my computers from anywhere without even needing to modify my firewall - it is as if I am on the local network at home (except the speed).  I also use this to look after a server that I manage for a family member.

Tonight I needed to sort out some sort of backup solution for my parents computer.  It only needed to backup about a gigabyte of data, so the $4.95 all you can store concepts seemed a little over the top.

LogMeIn came to the rescue and using LogMeIn Backup, I can configure the computer to backup to my server at home, the only cost is the software (which is sold under a subscription model for US$39.95 per year).

LogMeIn Backup also only backs up files that have changed since the last backup, which for a computer such as my parents is not many.

I could have used Windows Home Server to back up the computer over Hamachi, but that would require a full backup to kick things off (28Gb), and I only want to back up the key files they use.

LogMeIn also have their original remote control product that also works over peer to peer and is free!

If you are looking for generic computer management tools that are simple and easy to work with - LogMeIn have some very cool products! Check them out!

This is a very good (if long) article... If you have time read it - it is both informative and entertaining.

There is a bug in MySQL 5.0.51a that prevents the configuration wizard from starting after the install completes.

When you try to run MySQLInstanceConfig.exe manually you get this:

"The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log for more detail."

The fix essentially means hacking a bit of xml embedded in the executable file using a small tool that is freely downloadable and recompiling - the tool makes this pretty trivial, but I wonder why it hasn't been fixed...?

Full details on the fix is here. 

I see that 32Gb USB keys are now available in New Zealand for around $233 from Ascent.  This is interesting - this is easily enough to run an operating system from (be it Windows or Linux) so it represents an interesting step.

I'm tempted, I must confess.  However, I think I've spent enough money recently - I'm on my third UMPC in 9 months, so I need to go easy for a while.

I'm selling my little (tiny) Fujitsu U1010.  This is a cool little device, and I just have too many, so it has to go.

It is up on TradeMe here (please bid :).

Specifications:

• 800MHz Dual Core Intel CPU
• 1 Gb RAM
• 40 GB Hard Drive
• SDHC slot
• Compact Flash Slot
• Touch screen (convertible tablet)
• Windows Vista Home Premium

It also comes with extras:

• Port replicator
• Extended Battery (up to 6 hours life)
• Screen protector (new - still boxed)

I'm selling it to make way for a slightly different model - which is pretty poor of me - this device is only three months old.

This is a cool device for reading, travel (excellent for when you are crammed in those flying sardine cans).

Update: Sold! Thanks Jes!

Saw this on the wire this morning - "Compudigm goes bust and no future as a going concern". From stuff.co.nz:

Its closure has affected 20 staff in New Zealand, nine in the United States, one in Australia and one in Britain, mostof whom have now lost their jobs.

Mr Fisk said the company, which had been headquartered in Las Vegas since 2000, had run out of cash.

Compudigm's last available accounts showed a net loss of $2.6 million in 2005 and negative equity of more than $2.9 million.

At the time, the company's co-founder and shareholder Andrew Cardno said he expected the company to be on the verge of financial success.

Mr Cardno resigned as a director in July last year, according to Companies Office records. He was not available for comment last week.

Compudigm made net losses of $2.4 million in 2004, $4.8 million in 2003 and $4 million in 2002.

Compudigm was a company that I worked for for about six months back in 2000.  They were struggling back then and we were always on the brink of success - but never quite achieved it. 

It sounds like Andrew left at about the right time.  Still, I know how it feels when the company you started goes belly up - its gut wrenching.

So this is sad in many ways.  Although many of the people I know that have left the company won't think so. 

Another chapter of my life closes for good.