Backing up your stuff can be really easy
There are several different things you can do to backup your data, and most of them are fairly easy to do. As far as price goes, they can fluctuate depending on how much data you have. In this post, I’ve gathered together a summary on how to backup your stuff.
Let us count the ways
- Use an external hard drive. An external hard drive is really just a giant USB drive {flash drive, jump drive, memory stick, “thing I put files on that is small and can be carried around”, you know}. You plug it into your computer and presto, you’ve got a nice big space to put all your junk. Pros: The drive is yours, and you can put it a fireproof safe if you like. Cons: If you’re on a low budget this option can be a little expensive, and if you have lots to store you’re going to need more than one.
- Use CD’s and DVD’s. Pop a CD/DVD in and burn it with your information. Pros: If you already know how to burn disks, this can be mindlessly easy. Cons: This can take way too many disks if you’re properly backing up the files for a business. It can turn out to be pretty expensive and labor intensive. Plus you need a safe place for all those disks and a way to organize them.
- Use Online storage. There are lots of different websites that will hold onto your files for you. Pros: Cheap and fairly easy to do if you can wrangle the internet. Reputable sites will keep your data very secure. Cons: Some sites pose a security concern if they handle their data without the proper respect. People who generally need help with setting things up on their computers my have trouble.
- Use your friends/other computers in your house. You and your friends can swap data and keep it for each other. Pros: Free! Cons: Sensitive business data is most likely something you don’t want to hand off to your buddies. If you’re saving stuff on computers on the same network {using the same internet connection}, they can all get a virus at the same time.
My suggestion
In general, I recommend using more than one of these methods. Here’s my personal breakdown:
- Backup your most sensitive data on an external hard drive. This way you can keep a close eye on it and put it somewhere you deem safest.
- Use a secure online service like Mozy to hold onto the bulk of your data. This way you can keep it all in one safe place. You can set scheduled backups so you don’t need to think about it.
- If you have tons and tons of music, movies and photos, a smaller external hard drive is a great way to hold onto them. If you’re looking for a cheaper route, CD’s and DVD’s are awesome too.
As mentioned last post, backing up your files can save you lots of stress in the long run. It’s one of those things your mom would bug you to do. For a lot of people it just never crosses their mind. Remember that spending half an hour managing your data today can save you weeks of confusion and frustration later when things go haywire.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Aislyn [dot] Laurent [at] gmail [dot] com.
