[Hidden-tech] Off site backups

[Don Lesser]

I can't second Will's comments more strongly. If you do not test your
backups, regardless of the medium, you are not really backing up. I have had
several clients who thought they were backing up nightly, but found out
otherwise when the backups were needed. Test your backups regularly and, as
Will says, make sure you are familiar with the process. I once mistakenly
restored a Palm Pilot in the wrong direction and wiped out the only copy of
my client's contact list. That was 10 years ago and I still wince at the
memory. Make sure you know how to restore, test regularly, and follow Will's
advice about selecting what to back up. 

 

Don Lesser

Pioneer Training, Inc.

139B Damon Road, Ste 2

Northampton, MA 01060

(413) 387-1040

(413) 586-0545 (fax)

dlesser at ptraining.com

www.ptraining.com

 

From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Will
Loving
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 12:59 AM
To: David Spound; Hidden Tech
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] Off site backups

 

I've 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 'cloud' 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 it's 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 it's 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 doesn't report what it's working on). I sometimes let it run overnight
for multiple days if it needs to catch up.

Finally, it's 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 Carbonite's backup. That way you are familiar with the process if
you need it and you are also checking to see if it's 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 computer's 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 don't
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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