Best way to create backup on cloud for EPUB books

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Now if there was a way to allow me to access Onedrive as though it was a hard drive, I could use FreeFleSync t backup my libraries to the cloud. But I will not allow programs that only allow a two-way sync to run on my computer.

That's your choice. Me, I will never allow an active library to reside on a networked drive, as you do. To each their own.

[Quoth]

Safest is to create archive files with Export, then copy those to external HDD or so called "cloud" (someone's server on the internet). Not sync of actual library.
I do also use a one-way rsync to a local server from my desktop (all user files, not just Calibre), and then from that to a laptop. However periodically those copies need wiped as files deleted on the master user files are never deleted (by design as I might have accidentally deleted).
If I create or edit content on the laptop (usually only odt files) I copy those specifically to the desktop. The Laptop Calibre library isn't edited.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Safest is to create archive files with Export, then copy those to external HDD or so called "cloud" (someone's server on the internet). Not sync of actual library.

The problem with archive files is that they can't be updated incrementally. You need to export your whole library every time you make changes. Doable if you don't have many books and don't buy new books all that often. A real nuisance if you have a huge library and edit it often.

Keeping a mirror copy of your library folder on an external drive is just as safe, and keeping it in the cloud is only slightly less safe. It may be less private, but that's one area where convenience wins over privacy for me.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The problem with archive files is that they can't be updated incrementally. You need to export your whole library every time you make changes. Doable if you don't have many books and don't buy new books all that often. A real nuisance if you have a huge library and edit it often.

Keeping a mirror copy of your library folder on an external drive is just as safe, and keeping it in the cloud is only slightly less safe. It may be less private, but that's one area where convenience wins over privacy for me.

That's why I do the export less often. I use rsync daily to back up changed or new files, but the configuration (deliberately) doesn't delete remote files locally deleted.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

That's your choice. Me, I will never allow an active library to reside on a networked drive, as you do. To each their own.

If Overdrive was accessible as a drive letter, it would be for backing up only. It would not be for using my library on Overdrive. I would never do that.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Safest is to create archive files with Export, then copy those to external HDD or so called "cloud" (someone's server on the internet). Not sync of actual library.
I do also use a one-way rsync to a local server from my desktop (all user files, not just Calibre), and then from that to a laptop. However periodically those copies need wiped as files deleted on the master user files are never deleted (by design as I might have accidentally deleted).
If I create or edit content on the laptop (usually only odt files) I copy those specifically to the desktop. The Laptop Calibre library isn't edited.

I disagree with export as the safest way to backup the library. It's also not the easiest way to do it as you have to always doing it in full.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I disagree with export as the safest way to backup the library. It's also not the easiest way to do it as you have to always doing it in full.

I agree. Exporting is actually meant for moving your library and settings from one computer to another, not for backup. What works best for backup is creating a copy of your library folder and configuration folder (on an external drive, in the cloud, whatever you prefer) and updating both as needed.

People have had various problems with exporting their library. Some discovered later the archive was corrupt, some couldn't get their archive properly imported to another computer and so on. No such issues with just copying the relevant folders.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I agree. Exporting is actually meant for moving your library and settings from one computer to another, not for backup. What works best for backup is creating a copy of your library folder and configuration folder (on an external drive, in the cloud, whatever you prefer) and updating both as needed.

People have had various problems with exporting their library. Some discovered later the archive was corrupt, some couldn't get their archive properly imported to another computer and so on. No such issues with just copying the relevant folders.

And when switching computers, never get rid of the old computer until after your calibre libraries and settings are working as they should be on the new computer.

Too many people think they are OK with an export and find out after it's too late that they are not OK and no longer have the libraries and setting from the old computer.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Too many people think they are OK with an export and find out after it's too late that they are not OK and no longer have the libraries and setting from the old computer.

And there's no way to check your archive other than to import it to another computer. Whereas it's easy to run a library check on your backup library if it's just a simple copy.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

And there's no way to check your archive other than to import it to another computer. Whereas it's easy to run a library check on your backup library if it's just a simple copy.

It's OK to export if you want as long as you still have access to the libraries and settings. But I would never export. I prefer backing up via FreeFileSync. I do that for my libraries and settings.

[paulequilibrio]

I have been using BorgBase to backup my Calibre library. I'm using the 10GB free plan and it's working perfectly.
They have a desktop application that makes it easy to configure your backup, you can even set up a schedule to automatically update your backup and since it only works one way, you don't need to keep two copies of your library or worry about database corruption. It also creates incremental backups. I believe it is a solid option for free cloud backups.

Notice of Non-Affiliation
I am not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with BorgBase, I just like their service.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by paulequilibrio

I have been using BorgBase to backup my Calibre library. I'm using the 10GB free plan and it's working perfectly.
They have a desktop application that makes it easy to configure your backup, you can even set up a schedule to automatically update your backup and since it only works one way, you don't need to keep two copies of your library or worry about database corruption. It also creates incremental backups. I believe it is a solid option for free cloud backups.

Notice of Non-Affiliation
I am not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with BorgBase, I just like their service.

When you backup, does it sync or does it do everything for every backup?

[Sirtel]

For my library (to say nothing of all my other stuff) no free plan is enough. I've used various cloud servers, both free and paid, over the years, but Dropbox suits me best. It's one of the oldest and best known (I've had more than one cloud provider go defunct during the past 12 years), and as I actually need several TBs for all my stuff, I don't care that Dropbox has no smaller plans. It's also one of the fastest among those I've tried (some cloud servers were exceedingly slow) and I've had no issues with corruption or data loss.

[Wiggo]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

When you backup, does it sync or does it do everything for every backup?

What's not to understand about incremental backup?

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And when switching computers, never get rid of the old computer until after your calibre libraries and settings are working as they should be on the new computer.

Too many people think they are OK with an export and find out after it's too late that they are not OK and no longer have the libraries and setting from the old computer.

This applies always since computer backups existed about 70+ years ago.

A disaster recovery plan (backups are part of it) is useless unless tested. You do need a spare computer, or at least a second one (not identical, but compatible, like ARM, 32 bit Intel, 64 bit AMD etc and enough space to restore and enough RAM to run). You can get even an old 64bit desktop with enough RAM (2G Linux, 4G Windows) for free if you ask around. It will do to test restore of your Calibre, or MS Word/LO Writer docs, or spreadsheets, or accounts or whatever.

Some files on a cloud service is more suited to sharing than any serious backup / disaster recovery plan.

Order of likely disasters:

1. User accidental deletion
2. Theft at internet cafe, conference or travelling.
3. SSD or HDD fail (no advance warning on SSD, can be on HDD). Seen a PSU fail destroy all PCBs (HDD was recovered by swapping its PCB, less likely now).
4. Ransomware or similar
5. Theft at home
6. Fire / flood etc at home
7. Law enforcement seize it. They'd get cloud too, but might miss a friend or safe deposit box. You could be innocent.

Also any cloud service can be closed, hacked or whatever. It's only someone else's computer and they may not be honest about security or backups (or tell you there is no backup). Hosting is often more secure than separate "cloud storage" offerings.