Category: Computers

  • How to copy a CD-A in FLAC with Exact Audio Copy?

    How to copy a CD-A in FLAC with Exact Audio Copy?

    Exact Audio Copy (aka EAC) is the perfect tool to extract music data out of an audio CD or CD-A (to rip a CD) and convert it to a flexible audio file format like MP3, or even better into FLAC. Not only is it able to read the data and transfer it, but it is…

  • CD-rip: MP3 or FLAC?

    CD-rip: MP3 or FLAC?

    As a matter of fact, when you wanted to copy (or rip) a CD-A disc, you reflexively went for recording in MP3 format. Everybody (or, more precisely, all the programs, all the audio players — pocket-sized or home-cinema-based — can read it. It’s compact an duniversal. But when I wanted to transfer ma CD library…

  • Lessons Learned from a new Synology NAS

    Lessons Learned from a new Synology NAS

    I rencently proceeded to solve a problem I was observing more and more from my sturdy Synology DS413j (7-year old after all): I ran out of space and the old DS413j has no longer any extension possibility after the four 4TB disks in SHR mode (10.41TB accessible). So, I just bought a shining new (and…

  • Recover lost files on CD or DVD

    When your CD is dying… The observation Updated information (Jan-06):Now, Kurt Gerecke, an expert from IBM Germany, speaks up and tells the awful truth on ComputerWorld: Burned CD and DVD: limited life span around 2-5 years.But he also considers that hard disc drives are no better and advises you to use magnetic tapes. CD-ROM are annonced as…

  • Archive a Synology NAS on external USB drives

    Archive a Synology NAS on external USB drives

    When you need to store data in a reliable way but you don’t need to read them often, this is named a “cold storage” need. This is typically what I needed for my Synology NAS where I wanted to backup data to an external site (but I don’t intend to actually use the backup since…

  • Easily identify your USB sticks

    Easily identify your USB sticks

    Our computers have more and more USB ports, and we have so many storage drives plugged into them (USB drives, USB thumb drives, memory card readers, etc.) that it is somewhat difficult to recognize them all when they are displayed on the desktop. In the example below, you wonder which one is which among all…