Archive for the ‘Windows’ Category:
Online Backups
Lets face it, backing up your files can feel tedious. Some of us, especially those whose livelihoods depend on it—artists working in digital media, web workers, pro bloggers, small business people—are paragons when it comes to protecting their data. And the threats are myriad: from failed hardware, crappy software, accidental erasure, spilled drinks, viruses and other forms of malware… not to mention fire, floods, lightning, and the unlikely but not impossible meteor strike. We all know we should do it, but most of us either don’t, or we get lazy.
There are many backup methods available: you can physically drag files to a backup hard drive or partition on your computer, or to an external hard drive or thumb drive; you can use Windows’ built-in backup software or third party software to automate the backup process (I use the free version of SyncBack by 2BrightSparks); or you can make a drive image of your hard drive or partition where you keep your files (DriveImage XML by Runtime is an excellent choice, and free).
But online backup has come into its own and there are many fine choices available. Lifehacker recently conducted a reader survey of the best online backup services and provides a side-by-side comparison chart. All offer a substantial amount of free storage as well as premium services, which can include automatic syncing of files between the online storage site and your computer, encryption, file-sharing, even more storage space, and other options. There are other good sites such as ADrive, which is not on the chart.
Bottom line: Online backup has arrived and is a very good option for protecting for your data files, media files, digital photos and anything else you have digitaized.
Tags: Backup