Last week we talked about online backups
. I’d like to continue that discussion this week with on-site backups.
Type the phrase “how to backup your computer” in Google and you will receive “about 235,000,000” results. I’m going to assume that you don’t want to go and read them all. I listed a few of the more interesting ones in the “Related Articles” section.
Backups are like exercise. There are many articles about how to exercise and when to exercise and why to exercise, but the best exercise for you is the one that you’ll do. It’s the same with backups. We all should be doing them, we all need to be doing them, but unless you find something that you’re going to keep up with, it’s rather useless.
On my current computer I use the Carbonite Mirror Image to backup to a hard drive. This is kept safely off-site (bank safe deposit box). On my former computer (Windows XP), I used a program called Rapid Backup. When I was looking for a backup program for my Windows XP machine, I did my usual method for finding software. I went to Tucows Downloads, typed the appropriate search term in the box, and found a program that was shareware with a high popularity and a high “cow” rating. I love free software, but I also like to know if it’s tested virus and spyware free (as it is on Tucows — but be wary of the ads).
In addition to that, just to make sure I always have (almost) instant access to customer files, I have my “Documents” directory and my “Downloads” directory copied to a thumb drive, which is also held in my bank safe deposit box. (Luckily my bank is 1/4 mile away, and an easy walk or drive).
One thing every person needs to assess is what their most important files are, and make sure that those files are accessible in an emergency.
Related Articles
- The Beginner’s Guide to PC Backup (PC Magazine)
(for those that know that they SHOULD be doing backups, but need a basic walk through) - How to Backup Your PC and Laptop (PC Advisor)
(very detailed backup guide) - How to Backup Your Files (dummies.com)
(a very simple video) - For Seniors, How to Backup Computer Files (dummies.com)
(note, I’m very amused that “dummies” needed to have a separate article for seniors)
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
(Oh, and if you think all that I do seems to be too much, I’m sure some of my IT friends would be telling me some steps that even I am missing).
