Post by: Raven on August 31, 2008, 11:01:00 PM
Little uncomfortable about having ALL my files on one Mac at my home office.
Anyone using Mozy.com?
It's only 5 bucks a month to store unlimited files.
What are the pros and cons?
Thanks all! :-)
Post by: krissel on August 31, 2008, 11:30:17 PM
http://www.techsurvivors.net/forums/index....showtopic=19542
Post by: Mayo on August 31, 2008, 11:40:46 PM
Here is another blog entry generally refuting a bad review of Mozy, but the interesting info can be found by reading the comments below the article. And Ars Technica reviewed Mozy and three other online data storage services. The reviewer placed Mozy at the top of the four services when the review was written in July 2007. Be sure to check out the reader comments by clicking the "discuss" button at the end of the article.
One problem that I have run into is that typical upload data transfer speeds are sooooo slooooow that it can literally take days to upload a significant amount of data, so you have to ask yourself how far you want to got toward that "unlimited" data amount.
For example, I uploaded a little over 30MB of data to iDrive a couple of days ago and it took around five minutes using my Charter broadband connection. Downloading the same amount took seconds to accomplish.
Features to look for are the ability to resume an upload where it left off if the data transfer is interrupted and software that allows for incremental backups once you have your initial data upload completed. That way only the files that have been changed and new files are uploaded, saving time and server space.
Post by: Raven on September 01, 2008, 12:19:18 AM
I'm thinking a small, portable external hard drive might be faster and safer?
What's out there that is reliable, relatively inexpensive, 500 gb+, and won't be abandoned technology in 3-5 years?
Post by: krissel on September 01, 2008, 02:05:41 AM
500 GB is expensive in notebook sized drives right now as they are just being produced this year. Also they will have slower rpms than desk size drives.
So for speed, size and cost you would be better off with an external 3.5 inch drive and the selection is endless. USB, FW and eSATA should be around for many years so choose your case accordingly.
There are numerous threads on TS with suggestions for just such drives.
Here's the latest:
http://www.techsurvivors.net/forums/index....=external+drive
Post by: kbeartx on September 01, 2008, 03:21:58 AM
QUOTE(Raven @ Sep 1 2008, 12:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...and won't be abandoned technology in 3-5 years?
At the rate this industry changes, I would not bet on anything. KB
Post by: MamaMoose on September 01, 2008, 04:07:38 AM
MamaMoose
Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 01, 2008, 09:09:00 AM
One drive has the latest weeks work/data and is taken to an off-site storage location (Bank lock box?) where last weeks backup was stored. Bring the old back and start using it as the daily (hourly?) incremental backup drive. You will have some inconvenience in the two-way weekly trip but that could easily be combined with other tasks, like a good steak dinner!
Two external drives will cost more than one. :duh: Keeping it off-site will give you peace of mind that the work/data is about as safe as you can expect in this world (house/office fire, floods, storms, cats, etc.).Of course, you already have a good (APC) Uninterruptible Power Supply, right?
Please let me know if you need any other ways of spending your money!
Post by: Raven on September 01, 2008, 11:07:06 AM
More for me to absorb. More decisions to make. I haven't even resolved the last issue I posted here months ago.
Just too damn busy. Could someone invent the 8th day of the week, please? I need it!
Post by: Mayo on September 01, 2008, 12:12:15 PM
QUOTE(MamaMoose @ Sep 1 2008, 02:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I agree with many others here - stay away from any Internet storage schemes, It is not sufficiently safe to entrust any important data.
That is being unduly harsh to insinuate that all online data storage services are unreliable.
Hard drives fail, businesses fail... So What Else Is New? I have a difficult time believing that Amazon's S3 will suddenly close up shop and just delete all the data one day.
I think that online data storage is a good option for relatively small amounts of important data such as financial records, etc. If a person is concerned about the possibility of a catastrophe hitting a particular service then it is easy to set up accounts at two or more places. (Amazon even keeps the data it stores at multiple sites in different parts of the U.S. Just In Case a natural disaster should wipe out one of its data centers. I think that qualifies as being concerned for the safety of its customers' data...)
Online data storage is a relatively new business and I think that it is here to stay... Just having the ability to access data from anywhere in the world (iDrive even has a Web-based download option similar to Web-based e-mail) is a significant convenience for those of us who travel.
If you ask me the real problem is getting regular folks to backup their data, period... I would hazard to guess that there are even a few TSers who still neglect devising and using a reliable backup strategy.
Post by: Paddy on September 01, 2008, 05:03:02 PM
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/98381/ST...CHNOLOGY%20INC/
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/134226/N...FS%2DBK/VANTEC/
Good combo - I assembled one for my aunt a couple of months ago. (Prices have gone down slightly since too!)
Then invest in SuperDuper (free or the slightly more feature-rich paid edition, which I'd recommend as it has the scheduled backups) and then set it up to back up automatically every night or whatever interval is most sensible for you. I have two external drives - one does nightly and the other does weekly backups. That way if anything gets messed up and copied to the nightly, I have up to a week to figure it out and recover using the weekly backup.
Post by: Mayo on September 01, 2008, 05:13:31 PM
QUOTE
I have two external drives - one does nightly and the other does weekly backups. That way if anything gets messed up and copied to the nightly, I have up to a week to figure it out and recover using the weekly backup.
That's a darn good idea; me thinks that I will start doing that!