In any computing environment, a regular backup strategy is of course important. Of equal import is a strategy to minimise infection by viruses, malware, adware, Trojans and so on and more often than not these days, applications to do both come out of the same box.

But as I have found in the last 72 hours, it is best to make sure everything is compatible as if not, the consequences can be somewhat annoying to say the least.

Let me explain; last week, the hard drive in my Acer Ferrari 5000 decided it had had enough and popped its clogs. It was intermittent, but enough to warrant a trip to the computer doctor. I was not overly perturbed as am rigid in my backup strategy on a daily basis. Most of my data is safe and sound in the cloud or tucked up safely on a Netgear ReadyNAS. About the only major thing that is on the laptop is the trusty (massive) Outlook PST file – arguably any person’s single most important data file.

To keep me going, I had an HP Mininote 5110 at my disposal, or a desktop; all I needed to do was restore the PST file to one of these other computers and open it with Outlook.

Well strangely – and somewhat alarmingly – it appears I cannot do this. My antivirus / backup software from a well known vendor does not allow this. I spent three hours trying to find a way around it, and then their support department logged in via Logmein to have a crack. Following 90 minutes of ferreting around my hard disk and they had no luck either and have booked another session today.

But something so blatantly obvious as this should be a doddle. It appears all I can hope for now is that the hard disk from the Ferrari can be resuscitated.

Footnote: I have just been notified the original hard drive is totally kaput.

It might have escaped your notice, but Nokia recently took a brave step and started giving mobile phone mapping and guidance software away for free.

It’s a big gamble for the mobile phone giant which stumped up more than $US 8 billion to buy mapping software company Navteq back in late 2007.

The company now needs to show how giving Navteq’s maps away will generate more revenues that selling them.

At first glance it appears an odd move, but it seems the company’s executives are banking on creating an even larger market as a result of their decision.

Putting mapping and guidance capabilities into the hands of Nokia’s massive installed base of handset owners opens up a vast opportunity to sell extra products.

We’ve been hearing about the potential of location-based services for years, and this decision might just kick start the rush that we’ve all been waiting for.

As an application developer, suddenly having a potential market of millions of map-equipped users will be very appealing. For Nokia, commissions earned by selling the apps through its Ovi store could be very lucrative.

Will the profits be worth Nokia’s $8 billion gamble? It’s too early to tell, but it’s certainly breathed life into the mobile phone navigation market.

AFACT will have the last laugh if Australia signs the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.

This week Australian ISP iiNet won its legal battle against the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT), which had teamed up with seven movie houses to accuse iiNet of not doing enough to stop its customers illegally downloading movies. The truth is that this case is merely one battle in the global war against piracy.

Meanwhile, Australia is part of a secret treaty to force ISPs to cut off people accused of illegal file-sharing. Leaked details of the confidential Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement reveal that copyright groups are pushing for global powers to force ISPs to adhere to take-down notices and disconnect customers, or be held legally responsible for their actions. iiNet's court win will mean nothing if Australia signs this treaty, as AFACT will get its way on a global scale.

It's worth noting that Australia's Federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies were recently granted broad new powers to track and intercept online communications. Previously these agencies only had snooping rights to protect networks from malicious software. You can bet your bottom dollar that the copyright police will lobby hard for such laws to be applied to copyright theft - once again using McCarthyist tricks such as linking piracy to drugs, terrorism, child pornography and whatever else they can think of.

The copyright police may have lost this legal battle with iiNet but, behind the scenes, they're lobbying lawmakers for bigger weapons in the ongoing war.

Apple's taken another shot at the iMac flicker problem.

It seems that last December's 27-inch iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 didn't do the business for all owners, so the company has now pushed out 27-inch iMac Display Firmware Update 1.0.

Apple's discussion board contains several user reports that the latest update does indeed fix the flicker.

Both updates are available via Software Update or Support Downloads.

I'd imagine Apple will be glad to close the book on this issue.

If your iMac is still flickering after applying both updates, Apple would like you to contact AppleCare.

Now, about the yellow-tinged screen that some 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac owners are complaining about...

Normally I can find an angle on using a particular device for some aspect of production or another. Something that adds value, does it better, faster, easier or cheaper than the current way of doings things.

Examples include using video conferencing to show a remote producer or director a location to be tested for a shoot, an electronic white board shared over the ‘net to collaborate on scripts etc or a voice recorder on your mobile to make editing notes when shooting.

Last week saw the announcement – not the actual launch (in Australia anyway) – of the Apple iPad. A million commentators have already said their piece on the pros and cons of such a beast. Many are unhappy about what it isn’t rather than what it is. In essence, I see it as a device that is more passive than active. It doesn’t do anything better than a netbook can do it appears to me and in fact, a netbook is probably more useful.

When you consider that something such as an inexpensive Asus or HP netbook is about the same price as the iPad is going to be in Australia, or so we are led to believe, there is no contest in my mind. Oh except apparently you’ll be able to read books a bit better. Maybe they are not touch screen based (although newer Windows 7 devices will fix that), but in every other aspect, I consider they are superior in functionality.

With a netbook you get the added benefit and convenience of a proper keyboard as part of the price, bigger storage, connectivity and so on and so forth.

So due to this, I can see no place for the iPad in a production environment – and if I am totally honest, in not too many others either. It reminds me a bit of the dinky Viewsonic beastie a few years back that was effectively a wireless monitor for your desktop that also had a touch screen. It was nice to sit on the couch with, but not much more.

And that is not the Apple cynic in me speaking I promise you.