How do you back up?

[Matt]

Hi all,

I'm working on a new remote data backup project and trying to work out how many people actually back up their data on a regular basis.

I am betting most don't bother to do anything.

[Andrew C]

I always say that i'm going to work out a better system but never do. One day my comp will blow up and I think i'll just sit down and cry. Lots.

[Greensand]

Does backing up onto an external hard drive fit into number 3 in your poll?

[Matt]

Does backing up onto an external hard drive fit into number 3 in your poll?

I would guess so. :)

[Tom]

I don't back up at all. Does that make me a bad person?

[Matt]

I don't back up at all. Does that make me a bad person?

Yes. Very bad. :coffee:

[Tom]

Yes. Very bad. :coffee:

I feel dirty now :(

<< Goes off to back up my computer

[Echocomputers]

check out idrive.com (http://www.idrive.com) cheap for what it is and just let it run on your pc

[Matt]

The thing that I don't like with remote backup services is that most of them don't tell you where your data goes.

I want to know that my data is being guarded around the clock by rabid ninja gerbils and not sitting on an old 386 tucked under someone bed.

[Steve Rowe]

I bought a terabyte plug in hard drive at PC World for around £69 and just put it on the network.

[use-IP]

I added a Buffalo LinkStation Pro network drive to one of the router's spare ports. It comes with some great auto-backup software from Memeo. You load that onto each PC on the network and it automatically makes backups of each new file as it is saved. Looks after your email, calendar, etc too. Backs up your photo album, My Documents etc. Even backs-up the kids GCSE coursework from their PCs without you lifting a finger.

Slight caveat - I had two of these drives fail within the first year - and it's a bit sobering to send a broken copy of your whole life back to the manufacturer for a replacement!!

As those failures left us with nothing on each occasion, the Buffalo now does a brain-dump copy to a cheaper USB drive every night.

Buffalo 250GB was £129 / Freecom 250GB USB drive was £55

Memeo Software (http://www.memeo.com/autobackup.php) was free with the Buffalo and works soooo well.

[Echocomputers]

Its alright using network storage as backup but what about offsite? what would happen if there was a fire or theft? you could loose your backup as well!

[use-IP]

You are, of course, correct.

Maybe I should put the backup drives in the garage?:D

Seriously, I just checked the backup log this morning, it is now 145GB.
That's too big / too expensive / too slow for an offsite via the web backup.

I think the next level I would choose to go to would be to simply cycle a pair of external USB drives, and have the one that wasn't in use kept at another site.

[steve]

I backup to a dvd. Sometimes :rolleyes:

[Matt]

lol @ Steve. At least you do backup mate. Most people I speak to don't bother at all.

One individual holds their entire accounts, clients, bookings and contacts on a single PC that is coming up for 10 Years old! No backups. :coffee:

[Oigen]

I use a company that does my backup once a week. This way I keep my business safe.

[tommyjensen]

lol @ Steve. At least you do backup mate. Most people I speak to don't bother at all.

One individual holds their entire accounts, clients, bookings and contacts on a single PC that is coming up for 10 Years old! No backups. :coffee:

That's just reckless. They are asking for trouble!

[Andrew C]

I added a Buffalo LinkStation Pro network drive to one of the router's spare ports. It comes with some great auto-backup software from Memeo. You load that onto each PC on the network and it automatically makes backups of each new file as it is saved. Looks after your email, calendar, etc too. Backs up your photo album, My Documents etc. Even backs-up the kids GCSE coursework from their PCs without you lifting a finger.

Slight caveat - I had two of these drives fail within the first year - and it's a bit sobering to send a broken copy of your whole life back to the manufacturer for a replacement!!

As those failures left us with nothing on each occasion, the Buffalo now does a brain-dump copy to a cheaper USB drive every night.

Buffalo 250GB was £129 / Freecom 250GB USB drive was £55

Memeo Software (http://www.memeo.com/autobackup.php) was free with the Buffalo and works soooo well.

How is that system going use-IP? I was thinking of getting a Buffalo Terra Station but may have to rethink if they are prone to failing.

[use-IP]

Buffalo etc all still running well thanks.
The best thing about that solution is the completely hands-off ongoing (instant) backups, even for machines belonging to non-technical colleagues or family. Fit & forget peace of mind.
Also, it's great that when you do need to retrieve something, the files are just there in the same familiar directory file structure that you normally see on the original PC - not compressed or hidden, just find, copy, and paste it back to where you need it.
You can also set your Buffalo NAS to be accessible from the internet, so that you can access your files from anywhere.

I noticed this from SugarSync (http://www.sugarsync.com/products/sync_pricing.html) at the weekend, it seems much cheaper than any comparable web backup offers I have seen before. It might suit some folk better than an in-house backup, especially if you travel or use various work sites and want to maintain access to your files.

[steve]

The Buffalo stuff sounds easy. I may get on myself.