I upload a great deal of my writing to my online portfolio at Writing.com, and I save work on my WIP at the end of every writing session to a USB Flash Drive. But here's the whole truth: I start a lot of stories that never get out of the idea stage. Their documents sit in files I've never backed up. Only about 10% of all my digital photos are archived at Shutterfly.com. The other 90% are on my hard drive. Not backed up.
I believe personal hard drives and home storage devices of all kinds are endangered species, as much so as paper books and CD/DVDs. The future is all streamed, all virtual. Including our data file storage.
Today I started researching online computer file back-up options. I knew about Carbonite from word-of-mouth and then a recent TV commercial, so I started at their website. Then I Googled 'online backup' and a slew of companies and articles popped up. I had no idea there were so many options to choose from.
Here's what I've learned: Finding the right online backup company comes down to deciding what features are most important to you. Things to consider are:
How many PCs do you own to be backed up?
Do you have only Microsoft machines, only Apple machines, or both?
How much data (or how many gigabytes [GBs]) do you envision backing up?
And, do you want to be able to share backed up files (ie: photo albums or Word Docs) with other, remote users?
I read a thorough article by Michael Muchmore for PCMAG.com (published 10/28/2010) discussing the site editors' top online backup picks. (Read the whole article here -- seriously, it's great!) Basically, it boiled down to this:
Carbonite 4.0
For $54.99 per year, you get unlimited storage for just ONE PC. Muchmore says, "Carbonite is a mature online backup service, but it lacks many desirable features you'll find in the competition. It offers unlimited remote backup storage, and handily marks backed-up files in Windows Explorer. It also has a good Mac version and a so-so iPhone app. But an account only covers one PC and its backup servers aren't geographically redundant. It also lacks file sharing or viewing, live protection, and doesn't back up external or network drives."
IDrive (Spring 2010)
For $4.95 per month per PC, you get 150GB storage space. Muchmore says, "IDrive's support for up to five computers in one account, version saving, Web interface and fast operation are welcome, but you can't mix Macs and PCs, and there are still some rough edges, compared with the competition. Still, the service is much improved since our last review."
MiMedia (Beta)
For $10 per month, you get 50GB storage space on unlimited PCs. Muchmore says, "Already-impressive beta service MiMedia offers hands-off, automated backup, the ability to play media files online, and a cloud-based disk drive. For more control over the upload process and backup set, SOS has it beat, and for simple syncing, DropBox is a better bet. But if you want anywhere access to your digital media, you could do a lot worse than the reasonably priced and well-designed MiMedia."
MozyHome 2.0
For $54.95 per year for only ONE PC. Muchmore says, "Mozy improves ease of use and setup, but still supports just one computer per account and doesn't let you back up network or removable drives. That keeps it a step behind the competition."
Norton Online Backup 2.0
For $50 per year you get 50GB storage on up to 5 PCs. Muchmore says, "With this release, Norton has brought its online backup service's features into the mainstream. Support for multiple PCs, including Macs, in one account and a slick Web-based user interface make this a Norton Online Backup 2.0 a real contender."
SOS Online Backup Home Edition 4.7.4
For $9.95 per month for 5 PCs and up to 50GB. Muchmore says, "SOS still offers more than other online backup providers: multiple PC coverage, external and network drive backup, a local backup app, and an excellent iPhone app. Its Live Protect that watches folders for file changes and backs up immediately. In sum, SOS delivers more than any other online backup service."
Personally, I feel myself leaning toward Norton, because I have been very happy with their Anti-Virus software for years and trust in the quality of their company. Also, I work on a Microsoft desktop now but anticipate adding a MacBook to my office (well, I dream of the day...), so I like that Norton interfaces both platforms.
Most of these companies offer free trial versions. I'm considering trying a couple out. The advantage to this, in addition to prolonging the time when I actually have to pay for the service :p, is that I will be able to make a more informed decision. The disadvantage is spreading my data across corners of cyberspace. I mean, these companies swear their storage centers are super-encrypted and secure, but, come on. Hackers are like cockroaches. They can squeeze into impossibly small access spaces. My files = my identity, after all.
Anyone all ready using online backup? I'm interested in recommendations and hearing your experiences. Please share!
29 comments:
Dropbox! And it's free.
Er, my back-up method is google-docs. Is that bad? :)
Hi Summer and Amber! Off to look at both now... Thanks!!
thanks for the info! I tend to print everything I write - waste of paper, I know, but at least it's THERE. I also have several usb sticks, my ipod functions as a back-up drive and I have one of those Apple external harddisks too.
still, I'm checking out the online ones.
You never know.
Um, I use a mac, so I pretend I'm safe. I use the ostrich method. *blushes*
yeppers! I use dropbox and it's free (well up to like 50MB or something)
I love it because not only does it keep things safe, it also updates everything across all the PCs you have it installed on. You can also use it for photos and share fodlers with people so they can click the folder and see the pictures.
Of course, i'm notoriously bad about backing up my photos. i really need to rectify that
I'm using Dropbox for my Architectural drawings but for my writing and personal files...External Hard drives. I have this compulsion about my data being my data, that and I have trust issues with anything streaming. Besides I can buy a terabyte of space for what a year of on-line storage costs. :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
I don't have online backup, but I've thought about it ever since another blogger posted about being happy with Mozy. I use flash drives and email manuscripts to myself, but I know that's not covering a lot of what's on my computer.
I want to add a note about Norton. I used it for years and then last year I picked up some nasty Trojans and viruses. Nothing bad happened to my computer (or me) but the computer guys who cleaned it up said Norton and most anti-virus software don't catch everything. They added something called Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to work along with the Norton. Just something else to think about.
I'll be checking back in your comments section to see if anyone else chimes in on the online services. I think it sounds like a good idea.
This is GREAT info! I've been thinking about backup a lot recently. I'd hate to loose all my work. *eek!*
I vote for dropbox 100% For writers it's plenty of space for free.
That combined with gmail, and a USB drive is all I do.
Thanks for the comparisons. I'm toying with the idea of online storage. At the moment I use one (large) thumb drive and two (large) external hard drives, all of which are stored in different locations.
Grah! I need to get better about this. Just 'cause I ain't lost nothin' yet, don't mean I won't.
Also, I appear to have lost my grammar skillz. I think I'm sad about that.
Um...thanks for the reminder, good lady!
I haven't yet, but I think I'm going to look into it. I have backups all over, but what if my house burns down? Thanks!
I work with a computer repair specialist, and it's amazing (and scary) the amount of stuff Norton doesn't catch. I'd second the recommendation to download Malwarebytes - it's really good software.
I just can't get into the idea of online backup, myself. I keep copies on both computers, CD and thumbdrives ... I want to be able to hold my backup in my hand.
I don't use any online programs . . . everything important's on a CD instead.
Dropbox sounds good to me! I have things stored on a flash drive and an external hard drive, but I think keeping some stuff in the cloud is a good idea. One of these days I'll get around to it....
Sounds like you've done your research! Right now about all I do is copy my wip from my laptop to the pc a couple times a week. Most of the important files are in both places, but our digital photos are only in one place or the other. Those would be really hard to lose, so I guess that's something we'd better fix.
ehrm... I'm still using CDs and thumb drives... what? Backing up is SOOO boring (she whined)... ;p
OK, I'll check out dropbox~
Count me as another nod towards Dropbox. I sync my files between home and work, and both of those PC's are further protected by scheduled backups to external hard drives. I can also access those file from anywhere (including my iPad or iPhone). Really can't beat it.
Yes I believe in backing up but don't always remember. Many years ago we had our hard drive wiped by a computer repair company and I lost everything. However, I wouldn't rely on just online backing up in case their server went down and lost everything, too. Great post :O)
You scared me. I have important things backed up. Not the ideas. Not most of the photos. Yikes!
I haven't thought of online storage...I have three flash drives and cd's.....my brain is chewing now.
And thanks for posting the comparisons.
I bought an external hard drive awhile back and backed up this laptop...but that was months ago and haven't done it since, nor have I backed up the kids computer that has the bulk of pictures on it.
I think you're right that our future is going to be handled in *the cloud*, I'm just not ready to jump yet.
I like dropbox but only because I write on two computers and don't like transferring data. I assume that ANY form of backup is subject to failure. So, I have a hard drive at my office and one at home. At Costco, I bought 500 gigabytes for about a hundred dollars. I can't see me ever needing more than that.
See ya at WDC.
Jim
Ahhh... I'm still on the external hard drives and USB keys... haha..
I had a couple of scares last year though, and I backed up everything as much as I could. I've learned to save my work on a USB key each day, but only after nearly losing everything twice :S.
I just put all my important stuff onto a flash drive at the end of each day. hmmm, never thought about online back-up before. You might be onto sumfin :o)
I don't backup either. Thanks for this post. I'm definietly going to check into those services. :)
Fantastic post. Thanks for letting me know about all these options. I love it!
Jai
I simply can't understand all this "technological" stuff. I'm old enough to think that I'm not going to be around long enough to worry about it anyway!! I just make hard copies of everything I write and backup on Sandisk. And I'm going to put the old photographs I have in an album, the old-fashioned way. That's it!
Nice thought-provoking post. It got me thinking!!
I use Google Docs, too! I've heard of the Carbonite one, but none of the others. Thanks, Nicole!
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