Thinking About a kindle - But What Of My Existing Library

[no.guru]

Originally Posted by CommonReader

I do not really get these recommendations of storing e-books in the cloud...

Dropbox is great for a cloud backup, but it isn't all I rely on. Local backups are best and I far prefer them to the cloud, but there could be a fire or theft situation where a copy of the library in the cloud could be a lifesaver.

[AndrewH]

I view cloud backup as a redundancy in my backup plan. When there's so many cloud backup services, many offering free storage, there's no reason not to use one.

[Gardenman]

one good reason not to use the cloud is that whoever runs the cloud can snoop on whatever you put in the cloud.

[carpetmojo]

2 cards ?

Then you could have a special little cardshelf in your library - which now is bereft of book-lined walls, but still has the leather armchair, roaring fire, and bottle of decent malt.

Oh, and rug supplied by me ..........

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by CommonReader

I do not really get these recommendations of storing e-books in the cloud. I can easily put thousands of books on my reader with a SD-Card. Otherwise I backup all my e-books just like all my other files e.g. mp3s, photos etc.
I have recently bought a 2 TB harddisk that serves as an off-site backup and for this purpose it is locked securely at my office. Cloud storage solutions are so limited in size and the upload takes so much time that I don't know how this can work for most people.

Most Cloud services offer you 5 GB of storage for free (as competition heats up that is likely to increase) and 5 GB is probably more than enough for most e-book libraries. The convenience is that you can access it from anywhere at anytime, e-book files are generally small so they are fast downloads.
Just like you I keep my library on a networked TB HDD and a USB stick, but if I'm on the road I might not have access to those, but I will have access to my Cloud library.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Gardenman

one good reason not to use the cloud is that whoever runs the cloud can snoop on whatever you put in the cloud.

Who gives a damn? If anyone wants to see what books I'm reading they're very welcome to see.

Honestly, I think one can take paranoia a little too far. You have to accept, I think, that professional companies who offer cloud services will be professional when it comes to data protection.

[CommonReader]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Most Cloud services offer you 5 GB of storage for free (as competition heats up that is likely to increase) and 5 GB is probably more than enough for most e-book libraries. The convenience is that you can access it from anywhere at anytime, e-book files are generally small so they are fast downloads.
Just like you I keep my library on a networked TB HDD and a USB stick, but if I'm on the road I might not have access to those, but I will have access to my Cloud library.

True, but you can easily put 5 GB on a SD card that you can buy for less than € 10,- and you don't even have to worry about connectivity.
As for using the Cloud for general backup, most people who require such a backup have considerably more data, like mp3s, videos, photos, scanned documents - probably hundreds of GB of data. What purpose is just 5 GB supposed to serve, quite apart from the very considerable time that would be required for the upload?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by CommonReader

True, but you can easily put 5 GB on a SD card that you can buy for less than € 10,- and you don't even have to worry about connectivity.
As for using the Cloud for general backup, most people who require such a backup have considerably more data, like mp3s, videos, photos, scanned documents - probably hundreds of GB of data. What purpose is just 5 GB supposed to serve, quite apart from the very considerable time that would be required for the upload?

The benefit of cloud storage is "universal access". Sure, you can carry 5GB (or 30GB, for that matter) on an SD card or a USB stick, but that's of no benefit to you if you're unable to transfer it to the reading device. Bear in mind that many readers do not have SD card slots, and many of those that do are not good at dealing with multi-GB of data.

[GeckoFriend]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Most Cloud services offer you 5 GB of storage for free (as competition heats up that is likely to increase) ........

Can you suggest a good cloud service that offers 5 GB free?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by GeckoFriend

Can you suggest a good cloud service that offers 5 GB free?

Dropbox?

[GeckoFriend]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Dropbox?

Only if you have lots of friends who sign up, which I don't. I have 2.25 and 2.0 is used so I'm looking for a good alternative.

[HarryT]

Here's a site that looks useful:

http://www.bestfreecloudstorageproviders.com/

[ghostyjack]

Originally Posted by GeckoFriend

Can you suggest a good cloud service that offers 5 GB free?

SugarSync does 5Gb for free.

[abookreader]

Originally Posted by CommonReader

I do not really get these recommendations of storing e-books in the cloud. I can easily put thousands of books on my reader with a SD-Card. Otherwise I backup all my e-books just like all my other files e.g. mp3s, photos etc.
I have recently bought a 2 TB harddisk that serves as an off-site backup and for this purpose it is locked securely at my office. Cloud storage solutions are so limited in size and the upload takes so much time that I don't know how this can work for most people.

Well, true that anytime you put your files on somebody else's server you risk privacy violations. I don't store my tax returns files or anything of a sensitive nature via online back-up. My eBooks - I really don't care.
I'm not sure what you mean buy upload time. It takes very little time to upload or download an eBook.

The only point where I ~might~ care is if we get to the point where watermarking becomes the anti-piracy weapon of choice and the reader becomes responsible should his/her watermarked copy of an eBook make it out into the wild.

My system
1. Retailer site (not depended upon but there unless they go away)
2. My laptop computer. Every book gets disinfected and put into Calibre the moment I buy it.
3. My Kindle. Most books get loaded on when I buy them and I never really delete.
4. Dropbox. My Calibre library resides within the Dropbox folder and it happens automatically.
5. Mozy.com - periodic updates. This will change when my subscription runs out because their prices have gone way up since I purchased the initial subscription. It works well but I don't recommend them anymore due to price. I have unlimited storage on there right now and through sometime in 2013. This also backs up our movies and photos.

6. I also have a 2TB external hard drive but it is primarily used to store movies and photos. I occasionally copy my Calibre library onto it.

[GeckoFriend]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Here's a site that looks useful:

http://www.bestfreecloudstorageproviders.com/

Thans Harry; that's very helpful.