How many backups do you have? - Page 2

Sydney's Mom · 03-31-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaMiller

When I saw this thread, I thought it was ironic as I had just posted a similar topic on my blog. I had a horror story to share regarding backups

I lost books that I had written.

yes BOOKS..multiple.

The poor world. Think of the loss! hahahaha

If you get a chance, take a peak at it. http://maureenamiller.blogspot.com/

This brings up a good point. Your backups need to be tested. I was doing automatic backups via Windows 7. I was having a problem with my new netbook, and took it in. The tec said unless you had a corporate backup program, that cost thousands (sounds like Kovid's), you shouldn't use automatic backup. You should back up the files you want to keep - .pst files, documents, photos, music, videos. I am going to add my python file, cause I put a lot of scripts in there. The automatic backup program built into Windows is useless, and gives a false sense of security.

DawnFalcon · 03-31-2010, 10:23 PM

The basic windows one, yes, but there is other backup software out there like Comodo's which can handle simply periodic copies quite nicely.

kovidgoyal · 03-31-2010, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

The tec said unless you had a corporate backup program, that cost thousands (sounds like Kovid's), you shouldn't use automatic backup.

Mine I wrote myself, with open source tools. Cost me a day to write and test it

FizzyWater · 04-02-2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Mine I wrote myself, with open source tools. Cost me a day to write and test it

Show off.

Don't you have something to update on Calibre or something?

Bremen Cole · 04-02-2010, 11:04 PM

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I back up my music, photos, ebooks and documents to 3 different hard drives in the home, and one off site (once a month) in a safety deposit box. There ae countless non-replaceable items in all those but, the photos are a must.......

When the house is burning down, everything can be replaced by insurance except the items listed..... and if it were not for digital, then they too would be lost.....

All of you "physical" object folks (paper books, cd's, paper photo's) just do not realize that if you want it to really last.... go digital.

Sydney's Mom · 04-03-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Mine I wrote myself, with open source tools. Cost me a day to write and test it

Like I said, one that should cost thousands!

SensualPoet · 04-03-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

So how many backups do you have?

I am up to nine. ...

Now that I have listed all of this, it sounds kind of excessive.

I believe the word is obsessive.

I'm running rebit, a real time software program for around $30 for Windows, which backs up everything and keeps multiple versions as space permits. It's attached to an external hard-drive (1 terabyte) that cost about $120. Mac users will recognise this strategy as Time Machine.

It's very effective, no muss no fuss, and relatively inexpensive. Then, about once a year, I buy a new external drive ($120) and start over, putting the old drive away safely (same house, different room).

I like the idea of cloud storage -- Microsoft offers 25GB free Skydrive -- and I may just do that for selected files -- like photos. My master genealogy file is the only thing I have a (recent) copy of that's actually offsite (at the office). I dunno; maybe I'll pop one of those archived hard drive's in my desk at the office, too.

kaan · 04-03-2010, 07:10 PM

An interesting subject.

Full disclosure: I work for the top remote backup company in Denmark.

I can see that you all are doing a lot more than most people.

I strongly recommend that you use some sort of cloud storage for your backups. preferably two different providers.

With that out of the way, here is what I DON'T recommend:

Flash memory of any kind!!! They will fail! Use for transport and convenience only.

The old harddrive you have in the drawer from your old computer. Its just waiting to die on you, and will do so even if it isn't plugged in.
If you are going to use a harddrive in your backup rotation, then do what SensualPoet does and buy a new set of drives once a year.

CD/DVD is an attractive option when you look at the price, but reliability over time is appalling. If you resort to this medium, do remember to read out the data every 3 years and burn them to a new disc (don't use the cheap disks).

The solution to bitrot hasn't been found yet, and for long term storage paper is still king.

I hope this was of some use

-Klaus

Edit: With me working for a backup company like that, it is obvious that I never do backup of my own computer

pilotbob · 04-03-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaan

The solution to bitrot hasn't been found yet, and for long term storage paper is still king.

I have decided as an extra backup measure for my ebooks I am going to get a box of legal pads and copy out the text of the books onto the legal pads then put them in my safety deposit box.

I'm brilliant... it will last 100 years (acid free paper).

BTW: This idea is patent pending. If anyone wants to use this idea you must paypal $1000 to me.

BOb

04-03-2010, 07:10 PM	#23
kaan Connoisseur Posts: 61 Karma: 544 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Århus, Denmark Device: Sony prs-505	An interesting subject. Full disclosure: I work for the top remote backup company in Denmark. I can see that you all are doing a lot more than most people. I strongly recommend that you use some sort of cloud storage for your backups. preferably two different providers. With that out of the way, here is what I DON'T recommend: Flash memory of any kind!!! They will fail! Use for transport and convenience only. The old harddrive you have in the drawer from your old computer. Its just waiting to die on you, and will do so even if it isn't plugged in. If you are going to use a harddrive in your backup rotation, then do what SensualPoet does and buy a new set of drives once a year. CD/DVD is an attractive option when you look at the price, but reliability over time is appalling. If you resort to this medium, do remember to read out the data every 3 years and burn them to a new disc (don't use the cheap disks). The solution to bitrot hasn't been found yet, and for long term storage paper is still king. I hope this was of some use -Klaus Edit: With me working for a backup company like that, it is obvious that I never do backup of my own computer Last edited by kaan; 04-03-2010 at 07:25 PM.

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03-31-2010, 10:23 PM	#17
DawnFalcon Banned Posts: 2,094 Karma: 2682 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: N/A	The basic windows one, yes, but there is other backup software out there like Comodo's which can handle simply periodic copies quite nicely.

04-02-2010, 11:04 PM	#20
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I back up my music, photos, ebooks and documents to 3 different hard drives in the home, and one off site (once a month) in a safety deposit box. There ae countless non-replaceable items in all those but, the photos are a must....... When the house is burning down, everything can be replaced by insurance except the items listed..... and if it were not for digital, then they too would be lost..... All of you "physical" object folks (paper books, cd's, paper photo's) just do not realize that if you want it to really last.... go digital.