Image Source: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3226804044_35211fca5c.jpg?v=0

In this clearly local to Austin story, when I tried to check into the Best Western Austin South, I encountered a frantic manager unpacking a new Dell computer under the Front Desk counter.

“Our server died, the hard drive isn’t working and it won’t turn on,” were his desperate words as he urged me to not try check in. So, I packed up my bags and took off to the Austin Convention Center to try and check in at the TASA Midwinters’ Conference.

When I returned 2 hours later, they had begun doing manual check-ins and the old Dell was ready to go to the local GeekSquad. It made me ask the question, “Will GeekSquad get access to confidential information like credit card numbers stored on that hard drive?”

Unfortunately, it was too late. Another customer or two had arrived and prevented him from answering. In the meantime, what fun to see how critical a role technology can play…and what a relief to not have to trouble-shoot this particular problem!