How often do you back up?

wolfman

While I agree with the point you are making, external drives can still be very good. If purely used as a backup it's going to be turned on a lot less for starters so should be less prone to failure. Also the steps you mention are very good and full proof, but can be awkward and time consuming. This is one of the main things that stops people backing up as they get bored/annoyed/lazy etc...

That's not to say your way is wrong. It's good, but implemented with an automated way, or incremental backup it would make a great solution.

Also, what about encrypting your data when you back it up. Making lots of CDR's and DVDR's of sensitive information can be dangerous too, especially if you don't destroy it properly when it becomes redundant.

I resort to 3 types of backup.

1) Drive to drive backup. I have a spare external drive which I plug in regularly and run a backup (rsync) script.
2) USB backup, I tend to carry this with me everywhere.
3) Online backup. I have a schedule that runs every day copying any files I've changed to my online storage. It sends me a report upon completion/failure.

All the above is done using encryption though. Just in case my backup should go missing or get pinched. I do have a DVD burner, but tend not to burn as it's a pain and annoying for regular backups.

I use Linux now, but I found SyncBackSE to be a great application for Windows. Worth paying the £5 or so for the full version.

LouBlue

I wish someone would explain in simple, non techie terms, how to back up. I have Windows XP and have saved some Word docs and precious photos onto disks but thats about it.

I might be working from home soon and won't want to lose anything. I need to know what I need so I can back up daily. Something that is easy to do. I don't understand a lot of the terms in the last two posts.

Anyone?

superscaper

LouBlue wrote: »

I wish someone would explain in simple, non techie terms, how to back up. I have Windows XP and have saved some Word docs and precious photos onto disks but thats about it.

I might be working from home soon and won't want to lose anything. I need to know what I need so I can back up daily. Something that is easy to do. I don't understand a lot of the terms in the last two posts.

Anyone?

I'm guessing you didn't see the sticky thread titled "Backing Up".
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=597170

LouBlue

I did see it and it confused me, I was hoping for a shortened easy to follow guide.


But I will go back and have a re-read of it.

superscaper

LouBlue wrote: »

I did see it and it confused me, I was hoping for a shortened easy to follow guide.

Did you see this post http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=6868047&postcount=12

I honestly don't know how to make it any simpler. The original thread was written as simple as guide as possible. I guess the key is to just start using one backup method (you don't need to wait until you understand absolutely everything) and start making copies of important files and then you can increase your backing up "sophistication" from there.

LouBlue

superscaper wrote: »

Did you see this post http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=6868047&postcount=12

I honestly don't know how to make it any simpler. The original thread was written as simple as guide as possible.

I edited my last post, going to have a re-read of it now. Thanks.

h34v3ns3nt

wolfman wrote: »

3) Online backup. I have a schedule that runs every day copying any files I've changed to my online storage. It sends me a report upon completion/failure.

Online backup? What service do you use? Or do you have web storage that you FTP your data to?

I used to use MediaMax (was Streamload) it had apparantly *unlimited storage but I was never convinced with the software and it would regularly lose my files.

Apple's iDisk solution is great, a drive that sits in your sidebar that you can just drag files onto like a normal drive but...its expensive for what you get storage wise.

I have Web space that I have bought for my website but the storage limit could not possibly store all my data I have backed up to DVD. I have at least a terabyte in DVD data to backup.

I still regularly keep my eye out for cheap online backup services but have found none decent so far.

BD media (BlueRay, HDDVD) is becoming much cheaper now, as are the drives to burn them with. My plan is to backup all my DVD's to a few BD disks when prices are right, they hold 34gb a disc I believe, possibly more.

skyrider007

once every 1 hour! i have a Mac with OS10.5 leopard so i use "time machine" to automatically back up my laptop to the external HD.

wolfman

h34v3ns3nt wrote: »

Online backup? What service do you use? Or do you have web storage that you FTP your data to?

I used to use MediaMax (was Streamload) it had apparantly *unlimited storage but I was never convinced with the software and it would regularly lose my files.

My gmail space to start with
But I moved away from that incase they blocked my account.

I tried media max. It was ok, but at the moment I just use my web hosting. I've got 100Gb storage so upload encrypted compressed updates every so often. And I only update the essential stuff.

I'm still looking for a solution whereby i can easily do incremental updates using rsync and encrpytion.


Also regarding "easy" how to's. There are plenty of good threads about. I know I'm not exactly talking simple with the above. But if your data and photos really mean a lot to you, then I'd suggest you spend a little time and learn about backing up.

dryan

every day . i would suggest using the free software called 'synctoy' if you are using windows XP - it is from Microsoft and very easy to use for a lot of situations

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/synctoy.mspx

i would also suggest buying a NAS device now the prices are down like a QNAP - now my music, photo and video collection is getting bigger it means i can keep it safe and share out my media onto other computers and my ps3 to watch in the living room.