Best way to backup and organize PDFs?

ficbot · 01-08-2011, 12:33 AM

I have had a very simple backup solution so far: set my Calibre library in Dropbox, run Time Machine once a week or so, and so there

But I also have my iTunes library in Dropbox because I keep my music and movies for work in there, and even with paying for an account upgrade, I am hitting the 50% mark at my Dropbox usage.

So I was thinking of moving my growing iPad stash out of Dropbox, and hence, out of Calibre. But obviously I want to make sure it gets backed up too. For example, I have scans of old magazines I have converted, I am working on converting my Zinio mags, and I just got a dvd collection of MAD magazine that I am looking forward to. It's starting to add up to a huge (size-wise) collection.

So what is the best way to organize such a collection and to make sure it gets backed up, if I am not using Dropbox for that? I was thinking of making a second Calibre library not located in Dropbox, and then at least I could import everything in there, and tag the ones I've read and not read, and be able to stay organized that way. But then, is a time machine backup to an external hard drive sufficient for preserving my files? I had a hard drive crash last year and was so thankful I had good backups. I want to make sure my data is protected.

I love the combo of Calibre and Dropbox; the file size of these magazines is the only issue. I will max out my Dropbox capacity and I need that to preserve my regular ebooks and my work files, which are more important.

So...ideas? Suggestions? Is having a second Calibre library a huge pain, or will this simply be a matter of setting it up and stashing it on a hard drive?

abookreader · 01-08-2011, 09:36 PM

Well - I use Calibre/Dropbox too but my primary use of Dropbox is for files I want to pass onto DH or files that I want to store out in "the cloud" in case I want to grab them while I'm travelling.

My primary computer back-up is done via a service that runs on my PC every night - checks for new files and then uploads them to the online storage. I use Mozy.com but I think there are a couple of companies that offer this - Carbonite is another. I can't remember exactly what it costs me but somewhere around $65 a year I think for unlimited back-up.

I also have an external hard drive that runs a back-up nightly.

adding on edit: Just to put it in perspective I think I have about 2GB of stuff out on Dropbox right now. On my Mozy.com account I have about 85GB of data, iTunes Movies, books, data files etc etc .

David Munch · 01-09-2011, 05:59 AM

If you are on a Mac (With all those Apple things, I assume so!), you might want to take a look at the application Papers.

I use it a lot, and even though it has been created for scientific journals, it should work just fine for you, as it is essentially a database for PDF's. You can see it as iTunes for PDF's, with collections, metadata, and so on..

It even has a iPod/iPhone/iPad application, which can sync with the Mac application, so again like iTunes..

stephfrance · 01-31-2011, 06:44 PM

Many people who use this new tool for backup and online storage developed by www.maged.fr.
Simple, powerful, with perfect timing, no need to connect to the site www.maged.fr once downloaded software on your desktop, sync is easy. This is the new professional toy of French companies! an English version soon (it's very simple, even if you do not speak French!) Storage incremental collaborative working, everything to store and use your data

01-08-2011, 12:33 AM	#1
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Best way to backup and organize PDFs? I have had a very simple backup solution so far: set my Calibre library in Dropbox, run Time Machine once a week or so, and so there But I also have my iTunes library in Dropbox because I keep my music and movies for work in there, and even with paying for an account upgrade, I am hitting the 50% mark at my Dropbox usage. So I was thinking of moving my growing iPad stash out of Dropbox, and hence, out of Calibre. But obviously I want to make sure it gets backed up too. For example, I have scans of old magazines I have converted, I am working on converting my Zinio mags, and I just got a dvd collection of MAD magazine that I am looking forward to. It's starting to add up to a huge (size-wise) collection. So what is the best way to organize such a collection and to make sure it gets backed up, if I am not using Dropbox for that? I was thinking of making a second Calibre library not located in Dropbox, and then at least I could import everything in there, and tag the ones I've read and not read, and be able to stay organized that way. But then, is a time machine backup to an external hard drive sufficient for preserving my files? I had a hard drive crash last year and was so thankful I had good backups. I want to make sure my data is protected. I love the combo of Calibre and Dropbox; the file size of these magazines is the only issue. I will max out my Dropbox capacity and I need that to preserve my regular ebooks and my work files, which are more important. So...ideas? Suggestions? Is having a second Calibre library a huge pain, or will this simply be a matter of setting it up and stashing it on a hard drive?

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01-08-2011, 09:36 PM	#2
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	Well - I use Calibre/Dropbox too but my primary use of Dropbox is for files I want to pass onto DH or files that I want to store out in "the cloud" in case I want to grab them while I'm travelling. My primary computer back-up is done via a service that runs on my PC every night - checks for new files and then uploads them to the online storage. I use Mozy.com but I think there are a couple of companies that offer this - Carbonite is another. I can't remember exactly what it costs me but somewhere around $65 a year I think for unlimited back-up. I also have an external hard drive that runs a back-up nightly. adding on edit: Just to put it in perspective I think I have about 2GB of stuff out on Dropbox right now. On my Mozy.com account I have about 85GB of data, iTunes Movies, books, data files etc etc .

01-09-2011, 05:59 AM	#3
David Munch Scholar Posts: 1,009 Karma: 3999312 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo Libra H2O + iPad Air 4	If you are on a Mac (With all those Apple things, I assume so!), you might want to take a look at the application Papers. I use it a lot, and even though it has been created for scientific journals, it should work just fine for you, as it is essentially a database for PDF's. You can see it as iTunes for PDF's, with collections, metadata, and so on.. It even has a iPod/iPhone/iPad application, which can sync with the Mac application, so again like iTunes..

01-31-2011, 06:44 PM	#4
stephfrance Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: www.maged.fr	Many people who use this new tool for backup and online storage developed by www.maged.fr. Simple, powerful, with perfect timing, no need to connect to the site www.maged.fr once downloaded software on your desktop, sync is easy. This is the new professional toy of French companies! an English version soon (it's very simple, even if you do not speak French!) Storage incremental collaborative working, everything to store and use your data