Backing up your collection

[stop__dreaming]

I have a 1TB external hard drive which houses my books, music, photos etc and it would be pretty gutting if I were to lose all of that.

So, I ask, what's the best way to back-up the back-up? Get another cheaper, smaller in size hard drive or take advantage of the various, free, Cloud options online? Silly question, but I don't think Calibre has this option right?

What do you guys do?

[HarryT]

Another external drive. Use the freebie Microsoft Synctoy to keep them in sync (and keep the second drive off-site).

[stop__dreaming]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Another external drive. Use the freebie Microsoft Synctoy to keep them in sync (and keep the second drive off-site).

Both talk to each other and sync 'new' items? Is this what you do?

Sorry, I'm so un-tech savvy.

[HarryT]

Basically, yes. Synctoy can work in various modes. The way I use it, all changes I make on one drive are mirrored on the other. I've used it for years - it's an excellent tool. I run it once a week and it takes less than 5 minutes to sync a week's changes in all my files - and that's checking several hundred thousand files (Calibre, iTunes, photo collection, etc).

[usuallee]

I have a pair of 1 TB external hard drives in which I keep all my music, photos, home movies, ebooks, and other files. I don't keep everything on my laptop so having 2 allows me to have at least 2 copies of everything. They are nowhere near full so I'll be all set for awhile. If one of them were to fail I'd just buy another drive as soon as possible and load it. I guess I'm trusting my luck that they both won't fail at the same time, or that there is no house fire, etc. Hmm I'm getting nervous now. I am paranoid enough that I have no interest in the cloud.

I have been updating these drives manually which is a pain, especially since my laptop does not have USB 3.0 capability. So thanks HarryT for the synctoy tip, looking forward to trying that out this evening!

[pidgeon92]

I use Carbonite. It's $60 per year for backup of a single drive, and they have more expensive plans for those who need more backup. I've been using them for years and have no complaints. You can sign up for a 15-day free trial on their website.

I'm a firm believe in an external backup, in the event of a fire or theft.

[stop__dreaming]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Basically, yes. Synctoy can work in various modes. The way I use it, all changes I make on one drive are mirrored on the other. I've used it for years - it's an excellent tool. I run it once a week and it takes less than 5 minutes to sync a week's changes in all my files - and that's checking several hundred thousand files (Calibre, iTunes, photo collection, etc).

Fantastic. I'll look into that!!

[HarryT]

Here's the Synctoy download link:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl....aspx?id=15155

If you have 64-bit Windows, install the 64-bit version; it's a lot faster.

[cromag]

I back up to a 2 TB hard drive dedicated to music and books. But I'm a strong believer in backing up to two different media, so I also burn CD-Rs. As big as my library seems to me, I have only recently reached the point that I needed a second CD.

I have found that my CD-Rs are much more accurate, and last much longer, if I burn them at the lowest reliable speed my drives support. So, even though the CDs say they will be reliable at 48X, or 52X, I burn them at 4X. Also, since I "clean up" LPs for a hobby, I invested in some reliable burners when I upgraded my PC a few years ago.

[pwalker8]

I keep my data on my main drobo, and then back that up to another drobo. I also keep a copy of certain things (iTunes, calibre, audible books a few others) on my laptop. That's three different copies.

[AnemicOak]

Multiple copies are a must as are at least one off site copy.

[Fat Abe]

A Usb stick is portable and comparable to offsite storage if you carry it with you. It can even be protected with a password. True offsite storage, in the form of a safe deposit box, is costly. Leaving a disc or a drive with a friend or relative is not without its risks.

[DustyDisks]

As others have said It does not hurt to have a backup drive for your backup drive. I have a 3Tera that I copy from my main 1Tera backup drive everything!

Both data and images. Both my kindles and my nexus 7 are backed up to both drives.

Have learned the hard way never to rely on just one device, because if it can go wrong,, it will. Ether self inflicted or not, stuff does get lost or destroyed or erased.

As far as backing up into the cloud. If you do not hold it,,,you do not own it!

Plus computer/tablet disasters can happen in places where there is no net/cloud available for the save.

[DianNC]

Originally Posted by Fat Abe

A Usb stick is portable and comparable to offsite storage if you carry it with you. It can even be protected with a password. True offsite storage, in the form of a safe deposit box, is costly. Leaving a disc or a drive with a friend or relative is not without its risks.

That's what I do. Of course, my Calibre folder is smaller than most here and will fit on an 8GB USB stick or microSD card. Then, a couple times a month I just format them and reload the folder.

I only buy from about 4 or 5 different sellers, but still, I'd be devastated if I had to redo my whole library starting from scratch.

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by Fat Abe

A Usb stick is portable and comparable to offsite storage if you carry it with you. It can even be protected with a password.

Yep. I have a copy of my library in a Calibre Portable install on a stick that's on my keychain and goes with me everywhere.