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Mike Laponis

VO

mike@mikesvo.com

909 899 8149

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Technology

The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

Technology

Some say rules are meant to be broken. Not this one! As soon as you don’t follow this, it is likely to bite you in the digital ass(ets). I guess you could say it is part of digital Murphy’s Law. It does not matter if you’re a voice over artist, digital film producer, video editor, photographer, sound designer, or just someone who has digital files of any sort! In order to not lose your data (or files), you need to follow the 3-2-1 Backup Rule. It’s part of any good digital asset management workflow.

Here’s How It Works

It’s simple really. Not much to it. You just need to make it part of your workflow. It starts with three.

3 copies of any file – the original, and 2 other copies. Simple enough.

2 different types of storage media. For instance, one on a hard drive, and one on a data DVD.

1 copy off site. So simple to do these days with all the various “cloud” options. This off site copy saves you if there is any thing that happens in the environment where your other backups reside.

A Couple of Great Resources

The 3-2-1 Backup Rule is a concept that is touted by many. It’s been around for years. I first heard of it from The Tech Guy, Leo Laporte. He has a knack for explaining anything technical in a simple, yet thorough fashion. This is his explanation of how the 3-2-1 Backup Rule works. He is my tech mentor. So much to learn from Leo! I’ve always enjoyed his style and approach. Guess there could be something to me feeling connected to him because of his last name. Laporte. Mine is Laponis – both start with the letters L-A-P-O – and we have the same total number of  letters in our last names. I almost feel related – lol. Anyway, check out his regular podcasts and radio show, The Tech Guy. You will learn a lot!

In his excerpt about the 3-2-1 rule he mentions a great web site of the American Society of Media Photographers, dpBestflow.org. Lots of great material and resources there. Here is helpful information about backups and the 3-2-1 Backup Rule. Be sure to check out all the other great things this site has to offer. So many great topics and resources!

Integrate it into Your Workflow

Such a simple concept that can save you so much in the way of NOT losing your data and files. Of course, as a media professional it is crucial to utilize a system like this. It’s the only way that your deliverables are always, well, deliverable. Just part of what makes you a pro. But even if your data and files are all just for fun, it’s no fun to lose all your work. I hope this simple technique serves you well. Please feel free to drop me an email at Mike@mikesvo.com. Thank you!

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: backup, data protection, media

Password Essentials – Protecting Yourself

Cybersecurity, Safety, Security, Technology

I used to be one who would use the same password (or two) for almost every login I had, almost everywhere. Along the way, I realized that’s not a good thing. Too many companies, servers, and retailers have been comprimised. You know what they say, if you haven’t been hacked yet, it’s because you just don’t know it! There are several ways you can protect yourself and minimize the risk of being hacked. Integrate most, or all of these, and you will improve your odds at better cybersecurity.

5 Steps to Better Password Security

  1. Use a unique password for each and every site and login you have. That way if (really, when) there is a data breach the hacker does not have access to your bank account or any of your logins. If you’re like me, you’re thinking, but how can I keep track of ALL those DIFFERENT passwords!? The solution is simple. I’ll explain that part in just a bit.
  2. Use the longest password the system will allow. You want to make the password at least 12-15 characters long. Be sure it is a random string of characters. Don’t use patterns, pop culture references, pet names, or anything that can be guessed or figured out.
  3. Utilize a combination of upper and lower case with at least two special characters. Spread those special characters out throughout the password. (I know, I know. I am making it to where you will NEVER remember your password. Hang on, the solution is on the way)!
  4. Never let or allow your browser to remember your passwords for you. Don’t trust Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or any browser to handle your passwords for you. Too risky!
  5. As an added layer of protection, opt in for the two-factor verification. Many sites allow for a second form of verification, either a text to your mobile number or a verification that is sent to your email account. Opt in for those security measures whenever possible. It can make a difference.

Here is What Makes It All Work The Best

Okay, here is the the secret to MOST of the previous tips. This makes all of that easy! USE A PASSWORD MANAGER. That is the only way to go! A Password Manager will allow for most of the things mentioned. You can easily and conveniently have a STRONG and UNIQUE password for each and every login you have and you only have to remember ONE password to do it! Maximum security with with ease and convenience!

Here are two password manager sites/apps I highly recommend – 1Password or LastPass. These allow you to create truly random passwords, that are unique to each and every site and login. It will allow you to include upper and lower case with special characters and you don’t even need to remember them. You just need to remember your master login. These password managers sync across your desktop and your mobile device. They also have extensions for your browser(s) for easy access and ease of operation. They include password generators so the passwords that are created are extremely strong. Maximum length, with upper and lower case, and special characters.

Although both of these have a free trial, there is a small charge if you decide to utilize it on a regular basis, but the fee is manageable, there is family pricing, and the extra security is totally worth it! Not only does a password manager assist in providing you with maximum security, but it makes logging in so convenient and you only have to know your master password.

Want to learn more about digital security? Check out the Wired Guide to Digital Security.

Let me know if you have questions. I am always happy to help!

 

Filed Under: Cybersecurity, Safety, Security, Technology Tagged With: Cybersecurity, Passwords, Security

What’s Old is New

Business, Client Relations, Customer Service, Technology

What’s old is new! Want to try something fun? Take an “old school” rotary phone and put it in front of someone who is under 30 years old. See if they know how to make it work! How to “dial” a number?!! What is a rotary phone you ask? It’s an older model landline phone with what is known as a rotary dial. There’s a lot of old technology that’s been gone for so long now. So long that a lot of people are not familiar with it and would not know how to use it.

Old Technology Becomes New

I ‘m a voice actor and voice over talent. I also teach college classes in audio and video production.  In these courses, I work with 18-24 year olds all the time. It keeps me feeling young, and keeps the creative energy flowing! I love it!! We had kept an old IBM Selectric II typewriter around the studios to be able to “type” (print) labels. One day, I walked by and saw a student yanking the labels out of the typewriter, wadding them up and throwing them on the ground! I asked her why she was doing that. She said she kept making typos. I smiled, and showed her the “correcting key” that allows you to push the button, re-type the mistake and it lifts the mistake right off the page! She had no idea and was totally blown away!

What Do You Mean There is More Than One Song?!

Several students had no idea how vinyl records work. Seems so obvious to me. One student had no idea there were two sides to the LP. Another thought that the 33 1/3 LP vinyl disc only had one song. When I explained there were 6 songs on that one side of the album, they had no concept of  how you could discern where one song ended and the next song began. I got to teach what was old and make it new! What fun!!

Technology will always change. It’s sometimes hard to keep up with technology. Of course we do so to stay relevant. To improve workflow. Improve quality. Be more efficient. But technology will always be a moving target. Technology is not everything. How we work with our clients, our “client relations,” is NOT a moving target. Especially in the voice over business (and probably most any business), return business is key.

Customer or Client?

First thing to think about is the difference between “client” and “customer.” What is the difference to you? In a blog a while back, I wrote, “As  your ‘customer’ you are hoping to sell to them a product or service. As your ‘client’ you are looking out for them and what is in their best interest.” This is an important concept. Advances in technology don’t really change this. Except in helping your workflow. But as a business philosophy, it does not change.

Concepts and Tenents for Good Business Relations

Think about these very important concepts. Things that make your business relationship with your CLIENT sustainable. These are all things I value and hold to in my voice over and production work.

Honesty – Always being honest with your client.

Integrity – Adhering to ethical conduct in your business dealings.

Trustworthy – being dependable and reliable. Your clients want to know they can trust you.

Meeting Deadlines – Providing the deliverables/service on time to meet your clients needs.

Availability – Making yourself available to your client so they know they can count on you.

Expertise – Provide your client with expert skills and knowledge.

Friendliness – Clients want to work with people who are easy to work with, friendly and fun.

These are all tenets I value. Personally and professionally, they are very important to me. I always want what is best for my client. I approach my relationship with each client as “here’s what I can do to help you.” Having a happy, satisfied CLIENT makes it much more likely they will return to you the next time they need something. Client relationship does not get old, it stays new!

May you live long, help others, and prosper!

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Business, Client Relations, Customer Service, Technology Tagged With: Client, Customer Service, Dependable, Reliabile, Service Oriented

Three Podcasts You Should Listen To

Podcasts, Sound, Technology

There are so many podcasts out there to listen to. In fact, there are over 630,000 podcasts available! No, I don’t mean episodes, I mean podcasts. The episode number is absolutely staggering, at over 18.5 million episodes. That’s a lot of listening!

What’s Good?

There are so many great podcasts out there, and they cover just about any subject matter you can imagine! As a voice talent, sound designer, and audio production guru, I am always interested in great podcasts that cover things I find interesting. I have three, excellent podcasts I want to highlight for you. Twenty Thousand Hertz, The Tech Guy, and This Week in Tech (TWiT), are all amazing. I find each of these stimulating and interesting. Each is educational and informative to me in what I do as voice actor, sound designer, audio producer, and a teacher of audio production. I will explain a little about each.

Twenty Thousand Hertz

Twenty Thousand Hertz is simply amazing! To use their words, it is a podcast about “The stories behind the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds.” That sums it up perfectly! Everything from Voice Acting, Foley Sound, Voice of Siri, to Jingles, Slot Machines, THX Deep Note, and more! The topics are so well produced and the stories told so well, that it is one of the BEST podcasts I have ever heard. Dallas Taylor is the host and executive producer. His background is as a sound designer and mixer. He launched and runs Defacto Sound, an award winning, sound design and mix studio for high profile projects. He and his team are the people who put together the podcast. It has become a passion of Dallas’. The topics are interesting, the interviews are with experts in the field, the stories are so well put together, and the sound design of each episode makes it a masterpiece! This is my absolute favorite podcast. So much so, that I am sustaining monthly contributor. Dallas has recently put out a challenge to each listener to spread the word and to get 10 new listeners to Twenty Thousand Hertz. So, if you check it out and listen, to even one episode, please email me and let me know. I would like to report back to them that this blog got them at least 10 new people to take a listen. I am at mike@mikesvo.com or you can let me know via my Twitter, MikeRaphone. The podcast is worth your time, especially if you are into sound and the stories behind them. You can find Twenty Thousand Hertz website here and you can subscribe through so many players and sound providers, including Apple Podcasts, and Google Play. Also, be sure to follow them on Twitter, 20korg.

 

The Tech Guy

These next two podcasts are part of an amazing empire of what are really called Netcasts. These podcasts and Netcasts are the brainchild of Leo Laporte. Leo is the host of The Tech Guy. Let me tell you about these next two podcasts, and then I will tell you more about the incredibly well-thought out and orchestrated TWiT.tv Netcast Network.

Leo does a masterful job on this podcast of explaining all things technology! This includes computers, and the Internet. This feed is actually twice a week and is the full audio of his radio talk show that is heard on the Premiere Radio Networks on radio stations all over the U.S. He covers a wide array of topics and is probably the most knowledgeable tech guys I have run across. I actually met Leo a long time ago at a Podcasting conference at the Ontario Convention Center. He was promoting his show and what was then, the very onset of podcasting. More about Leo in a bit. This podcast is worth your time!

TWiT – This Week in Tech

This podcast is also hosted by Leo Laporte (and Friends) and is part of the TWiT.tv Netcast Networks. Each episode of This Week In Tech records every Sunday and starts starts the week off with top tech pundits and experts in a roundtable discussion of important news and trends in technology. Also worth your time, if you are interested in or work with technology. Whatever the latest topics in technology in a given week, that is usually the topic of conversation and inquiry for that week’s show.

TWiT.tv

Now, let me give you a little background on this incredible brainchild of Leo Laporte, and company. TWiT.tv Netcast Network has approximately 20 different shows currently in production. I believe Leo hosts about 10 of the 20 shows! He also produces many of the shows. Check out the complete listing of shows here. This all started back in 1998 with a cable television network, I remember watching, called ZDTV. This channel was great. All of the programming was dedicated to computers, the Internet, and technology. After a while, ZDTV turned into a channel called TechTV. In 2004, it was sold and basically evaporated. Leo Laporte, and many other of the TchTV hosts, and producers, came together again in 2005 and started the beginnings of TWiT. From very humble beginnings, Leo and company have created an amazing network of great shows centered around computers, technology and the Internet. They work out of incredible studios in Petaluma, CA. Not sure what all they have added to the technology they use to produce the shows (they are available on line from their website as studio video productions, as well as podcasts), but it is an amazing set of NewTek video production gear using the TriCaster at the heart of the operation.

Amazing Podcasts and Free Knowledge

Each of these three podcasts/shows are amazing. They are all free for you to listen to and have access to the expertise of the hosts, their guests, and the stories they tell. You also can learn from the technical and production quality of each of these as well. Hope you will give each a listen. If so, please drop me a line and let me know what you think.

Filed Under: Podcasts, Sound, Technology

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909 899 8149

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