[Hidden-tech] Off site backups

[Will Loving]

I¹ve been using Carbonite for about a year and it works well enough. I have
over 200GB backed up. The main issue that I am aware of, and this is likely
true with any Œcloud¹ backup, is that if you suddenly add large files such
as multiple gig video files, it will take Carbonite a while to catchup and
while it¹s doing that, it may not be getting current backups of the rest of
your much smaller but probably more important files. Selectively turning off
back of certain folder and making sure you have multiple local backups may
be advisable. 

I also recently bulked-scanned over 4000 slides and in adding them to
Aperture or iPhoto, those libraries were suddenly swelled by many gigabytes.
This again meant a sudden increase in what Carbonite was chewing on and so I
think it¹s important to occasionally check Carbonite to make sure not hugely
behind and if it is, why (which can sometimes be difficult to find out since
it doesn¹t report what it¹s working on). I sometimes let it run overnight
for multiple days if it needs to catch up.

Finally, it¹s important to test the Carbonite IS backing up the files you
want by doing test file Recovery, picking important files and pulling them
back from Carbonite¹s backup. That way you are familiar with the process if
you need it and you are also checking to see if it¹s really backing up what
you want it to back up.

Will

Will Loving, President
Dedication Technologies, Inc.



on 12/7/10 3:08 PM, David Spound at dspound at mac.com wrote:

> I am considering using an off site back up service such as Mozy, Carbonite,
> CrashPlan, Backblaze, etc. I already use Time Machine for my Mac and
> occasionally I also clone the hard drive with SuperDuper. However, having once
> had a power surge in my home that damaged both my computer¹s internal hard
> drive and the external back up drive, I can easily appreciate the benefits of
> off site data storage. Also, I travel with my Mac and I don¹t carry my backup
> drives with me which means no backing up while traveling.
> 
> Any recommendations for one of these services based on experience? I do need a
> Mac-friendly service.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> David
> 
> ++++++++++
> 
> David Spound, M.Ed.
> Valley Mindfulness
> 
> Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction courses
> for people coping with stress, pain, and illness
> and anyone interested in supporting health and well-being
> 
> (413) 219-0654
> david at valleymindfulness.com
> http://www.valleymindfulness.com
> 
> 
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-- 

William M. Loving
Dedication Technologies, Inc.
7 Coach Lane
Amherst, MA 01002-3304   USA
will at dedicationtechnologies.com
Tel: +1 413 253-7223   (GMT ­5)
Fax: +1 206 202-0476

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