Home Server Show

Microsoft Windows Home Server saves the Home Server Podcast!!!

It is true.  Today, I used my Windows Home Server to bail me out and help publish podcast number 5.  Let me set this up, it won’t take long.

I use Audacity to record and mix the podcast.  Audacity creates a project file and a folder of data files for the audio for each recording that you save.  If you save a project you must have both in order to re-open it.  You can open the data files and re-build a project but that is time consuming.

I had previously created the opening sequence of the podcast where the music plays, then the volume lowers while I introduce the podcast and then it resumes normal volume and fades out eventually.  I use this same project for every podcast.  Ok, the scene of the disaster is set.

After recording show 4 I decided to clean up Podcast Land.  Somehow I deleted the data folder leaving only the project file.  Without the data folder, we have no intro.  (Ok, the enthusiasts out there will no doubt be thinking, “Hey Dave, rip the intro from a previous podcast.”)  Yes, I could do that but not when Windows Home Server can save the day!

Instead of spending 10 to 15 minutes re-mixing I simply loaded a backup from about 10 days ago and Bingo!  There was my data folder, all nice and tucked away inside my trusty Windows Home Server.  Drag and drop restore and we now have episode number 5 with my geeky intro.

Big deal?  This instance, no, not really.  But!  If this had been my accounting data, customer data, or other vital files then it would have been a big deal.   This scenario solidifies the reason why I purchased the server, and more importantly why I have embraced the technology and have chosen to spend all this time podcasting about it.  Thank you trusty server.  Rest for now, but wake up tonight at midnight to backup episode 5!