Backup strategies

[PeterD]

Assuming that most of us have moved on from typewriter and paper, I am really amazed that there does not seem to be a thread on backup strategies.

Or did I miss it?

[SWest]

The subject of back-up usually accompanies threads in Tech about trying to recover from a computer/memory disaster. Those threads are plentiful.



I like things simple and private: multiple memory sticks kept apart from each other. With one stored in a fire-proof safe.

[PeterD]

Ha ha, exactly.


I use a combination.

I use Dropbox for my main body of work, and access everything from there. This allows me to read my work on either of my computers, my iPad or my Blackberry.

To some degree it is a backup too, since my computers keep a local copy. So if Dropbox went to the digital bit bucket in the sky, at least I have a local copy. However, if Dropbox just deleted my files and then that delete synchronized and deleted my local files, I would be pooched. If I did not have another backup mechanism, which I do.

So from my Mac, the Dropbox folder is then backed up via Time Machine.

Finally, to protect myself from my own incompetence, I keep versioned files. So I have a history of files Story1.doc, Story2.doc, Story3.doc. If I butcher something inside my document and then save that, then that synchronizes to my other devices, and then my Time Machine backup failed, then I still have a version from last week or whenever.

Off site storage - check - Dropbox.
Aged versioned files - check - Story1, Story2.
Data in multiple places - check - Dropbox, PC, Mac.
Ability to step back in time and restore - check - Time Machine.

[Williebee]

The advice I use in trainings is:

3-2-1

Keep three copies of important and critical documents.

Keep them in at least two forms (on the hard drive and a jump drive; DVD and an external drive, jump drive and in the cloud, etc.)

Keep one copy geographically separate from the other two.

If it is personal or financial data, keep it encrypted.

[mirandashell]

I also keep stuff on a seperate physical drive, just in case. And I keep that in a drawer, away from any magnetic sources.

[onesecondglance]

I create image copies of my hard drive so I can restore back to previous points or recover from a drive failure quickly and easily.

I keep file backups on two (or more) different physical drives.

Every few days I email my current MS to my Hotmail account.

[kenebaker]

I keep copies on:
1) Dropbox
2) Laptop and PC
3) Portable Hard Drive
4) Memory stick
5) My mothers computer on another continent.

That way, if Europe blows up, at least my mom's computer will be safe.

Oh, and I use Truecrypt for encrypting the copies that I store on the cloud.

Paranoid much?

[RickN]

I also follow the multiple location, multiple media strategy.

1 copy on Dropbox.
1 copy on an external drive at my house
1 copy on FTP storage at a website I own

[blacbird]

Originally Posted by PeterD

Assuming that most of us have moved on from typewriter and paper, I am really amazed that there does not seem to be a thread on backup strategies.

Or did I miss it?

You missed it. There have been dozens.

Me, I distrust on-line backups, and don't use such services. In addition to writing, I am dependent on computer files for my business. I keep things on several different flash drives, and three separate computers. I have had problems with the reliability of external hard drives, and no longer use them.

caw