Best Online File Backup

Lost World · May 2, 2011

I'm going to start backing up my files with an online backup company. I figure many of you probably do the same, so I'm wondering which companies you've had the best experiences with and vice versa.

I'm thinking of going with idrive
http://www.idrive.com/
mostly because I only have about 3.5GB of pics and docs to back up, and they give you 5GB free. Also read some reviews and they seem quite reputable.

Who do you recommend, and why?

alleycat · May 2, 2011

I use Mozy. It works well.

Do you also plan on using an external drive to backup your files?

If you use an online backup, you can quickly go over the free allowance if you're backing up photos and/or videos.

Margarita Skies · May 2, 2011

I use Dropbox, and I only put in there manuscript files, finished and unfinished. If I want to backup pictures or music, or any other file that doesn't have anything to do with my writing, I use blank CD's or DVD's, whatever I have on hand. At the moment I don't have flash drives or external hard drive.

fourlittlebees · May 2, 2011

Some of the folks I work with did an eval of the paid services: Mozy, Carbonite, etc. I don't want to direct link since it's work, but if you do a search on The Apple Blog plus those service names, it does a great breakdown of price per service (and it's not just Apple-specific

)

shadowwalker · May 2, 2011

I use Mozy as well. I don't trust CDs or DVDs - had too many screw up when I go to use them later. Don't know why, but I prefer something more stable.

Lost World · May 2, 2011

alleycat said:
I use Mozy. It works well.

Do you also plan on using an external drive to backup your files?

If you use an online backup, you can quickly go over the free allowance if you're backing up photos and/or videos.

I do use a flashdrive. But I don't carry it around with me all the time as they're not very durable. I'm interested in online backup in case of catastrophe, mainly fire.

Hear you on the free allowance, but I do back up more word docs than pictures, and these don't take up much room. I figure I can skate for free for a little while anyway...

Are you backing up in real time or on a schedule at a specific time of day?

alleycat · May 2, 2011

I have the Mozy backup set to run at certain times, and to backup only certain files/folders. Since the files I'm backing up are relatively small (mostly Word files), the backup doesn't take that long from start to finish.

I have Dropbox as well, but I don't really use it.

maestrowork · May 2, 2011

I love and swear by DropBox. Not only does it back up, it also does it automatically (as long as your files and links are in the DropBox folder). It keeps previous versions. It syncs with all your computers so you could work on your laptop, then go to your desktop and continue working.

It works on almost every platform including iPad and iPhone and Android. It works with Pages on iPad. It syncs with all my devices.

It comes with 2GB free. You can buy more storage, but I find 2GB rather ample for my important files.

Lost World · May 2, 2011

Thanks all. Going to try Carbonite free for a couple of weeks and see how I like it. After that it's $60/year which is about ten bucks cheaper than most others. Highly rated and their system seems quite simple.

Dharma · May 2, 2011

DH is one of those IT techy people; he uses Dropbox.

maestrowork · May 2, 2011

Lost World said:
Thanks all. Going to try Carbonite free for a couple of weeks and see how I like it. After that it's $60/year which is about ten bucks cheaper than most others. Highly rated and their system seems quite simple.

Why are you paying if the other options are free?

blacbird · May 2, 2011

Lost World said:
I do use a flashdrive. But I don't carry it around with me all the time as they're not very durable.

I keep hearing this. I've used flash drives for years, have several, and have had zero of them fail. My experience is that flash drives are a hell of a lot more durable than external hard drives (I've had two of those crap out on me inside of a year, with very little usage).

Margarita Skies · May 3, 2011

blacbird said:
I keep hearing this. I've used flash drives for years, have several, and have had zero of them fail. My experience is that flash drives are a hell of a lot more durable than external hard drives (I've had two of those crap out on me inside of a year, with very little usage).

Now I am considering buying my first flashdrive!! Thanks!! I will only use it for my manuscripts so it won't be that big.

Maryn · May 3, 2011

blacbird said:
I keep hearing this. I've used flash drives for years, have several, and have had zero of them fail. My experience is that flash drives are a hell of a lot more durable than external hard drives (I've had two of those crap out on me inside of a year, with very little usage).

My experience matches blacbird's. I have never had a flash drive fail, including the crazy-cheap and even the one that went through the washer and dryer before Mr. Maryn realized it was missing. (Long cycle, too, which is what you get for leaving it in your jeans on Casual Friday.)

I have, however, had to replace every external hard drive I've ever owned within three months of the expiration of its one-year warranty. I'm sitting on a dead Seagate as we speak. It still holds everything up to its failure, accessible, so for the short term I'm backing up online.

So, can those of you in the know tell me more about DropBox and Mozy, specifically whether someone who's not at all techie (which would be me) could navigate their use without difficulty?

Maryn, who hates to call on The Kid for every little computer thing

alleycat · May 3, 2011

Maryn said:
So, can those of you in the know tell me more about DropBox and Mozy, specifically whether someone who's not at all techie (which would be me) could navigate their use without difficulty?

Maryn, who hates to call on The Kid for every little computer thing

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have both DropBox and Mozy, but I primarily use Mozy.

As I recall, it was fairly easy to sign up for, and set up Mozy. Then you can change the options for what types of files to back up, and at what time it does an automatic backup, etc. Then it runs in the background.

I use the free version of Mozy, so I specifically set it up so it didn't back up any photos or videos. I think the free allotment is 5 GB, which is a awfully lot of document files.

Best Online File Backup

Lost World

He'll NEVER fit in!

alleycat

Still around

Margarita Skies

fourlittlebees

chief sitter on people

shadowwalker

empty-nester!

Lost World

He'll NEVER fit in!

alleycat

Still around

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Lost World

He'll NEVER fit in!

Dharma

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

blacbird

Margarita Skies

Maryn

I Tried

alleycat

Still around