OK, there are several things here...

1. Reformatting the disk drive during a *routine maintenance check*?

2. Number two follows below...

One bargain computer technician - $7.25/hour

Formatting the disk drive containing the data of one of your biggest accounts - $????.??

Reformatting the backup drive as well - $????.??

Your backup's "Backup" tapes unreadable - $????.??

300 boxes that have to be hand scanned - PRICELESS

OK, it had a price, $200,000, but I just couldn't make it fit the way that I wanted to.

I'm just sitting here pondering the immensity of this.

FOXNews.com - Computer Tech Accidentally Erases Info on Alaska's $38 Billion Oil Fund - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

Decius wrote:

Wraith wrote:
With 40% of the search market, I guess that 2 years maximum is better than nothing. It does seem like a long time, though. What purpose could retaining data that long serve aside from undermining users' privacy?

Its certainly an improvement over "we keep everything, forever." It represents progress.

You're right. When looking at the big picture, it does represent progress. It just seems like a whole lot of information to store for a whole lot of time for what Im guessing is marketing and CYA stuff.

I must be getting cynical in my old age. :)

RE: 27B Stroke 6 | Google To Anonymize Data

Ok, there is some justification from a corporate point of view, but a threat to children?

...lions and tigers and hackers, oh my!

File sharing a threat to children and to national security

Rattle wrote:

Googleis reversing a long-standing policy to retain all the data on its users indefinitely, and by the end of the year will begin removing identifying data from its search logs after 18 months to two years, depending on the country the servers are located in.

Currently, Google retains indefinitely detailed server logs on its search engine users, including user's IP addresses – which can identify a user's computer, the query, any result that is clicked on, their browser and operating system, among other details. Even if a user never signs up for a Google account, those searches are all tied together through a cookie placed on the user's computer, which currently expires in 2038.

With 40% of the search market, I guess that 2 years maximum is better than nothing. It does seem like a long time, though. What purpose could retaining data that long serve aside from undermining users' privacy?

In a similar story, AOL... ah, who cares?

RE: 27B Stroke 6 | Google To Anonymize Data

On March 13, 2007 Microsoft is planning to release:

Security Updates
• No new Microsoft Security Bulletins will be released on March 13, 2007.

No new MS Security Bulletins?!?!? Um, OK.

Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification