There’s an old rule to backing up files: Have at least three copies of your data in multiple formats. That means at least one on-site backup and one off-site backup. These rules are doubly important if what you are storing is the cure for cancer! Sook Shin and husband Ralf Jankecht, leading cancer researchers at Oklahoma University, did not know or follow this rule. When the couple made a stop at a Panera in Oklahoma City, a white MacBook was stolen from their car. That MacBook contained the only copies of important prostate cancer research, reports CNET.
It seems almost hoax-like, but a local news station picked up the story. The burglar smashed a window in the couple’s car and ran off with the 13-inch white MacBook and the dark orange computer bag it was in. The couple is now offering $1,000 (no questions asked) for the laptop. “Thief, it is OK. Everybody makes mistakes,” is printed on flyers posted in local pawn shops.
“Please return the computer with the data saved,” Jankecht said. “This would tremendously help us and you would do something for society.”
This isn’t the first time this has happened. Last October, a professor had his laptop stolen. Luckily, in that case the thief was nice enough to put his unbacked data onto a flash drive and drop it off to him anonymously. Sook Shin can only hope her story turns out as fortunate.
I agree that the data should have been backed up. BUT, but by the same token, I’ve seen some of the smartest researchers who are somewhat challenged by technology, and only know enough about it to get around in the applications they need to use for their work. For that reason, they may not know how to back up their data. It’s no excuse for not asking how to make a backup for something this critical, but it may explain why they hadn’t done it. Nevertheless, I do hope they get at least their data back.
Beyond the obvious idiocy of failed data hygiene practices, offering a $1,000 reward for something which would be so allegedly important to the world is totally laughable. Sounds to me like they are more interested in getting potentially embarrassing home made videos back than anything.
It should have been backed up or shared.
How can a person be smart enough to potentially find a cure for cancer, and not have the intelligence to back up their files?
there should be a HUGE reward for that mac! Many ppls health depend on it
there should be a HUGE reward for that mac! Many ppls health depend on it
Why weren’t they backing up their data? That’s just stupid. The HD could go just as easily as it being stolen.
The most brilliant people often have the least amount of common sense.
But this is the second time. You think you would learn not to trust Sooners…. oh wait. I'm a Sooner.
I just want to facepalm so badly.
Have they ever heard of CrashPlan?
I think something else is going on with the laptop that they are scared will get out, like child pornography or something else illegal.
This reminds me of the hospital administrator here in Oregon that left their laptop in their car. The laptop had all of the hospital's patient information on it like email, address etc. Completely dumb.
Seriously, what is data like this doing sitting in the back seat of someones car. Interesting how people can be smart but not have common sense. I do hope that they get the information back, and have learned their lesson.