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RickJ · Dec 8, 2009, 09:05 AM

I'm seeing lots of ads on TV... and see by Googling that there are many options out there.

If you use one of these online backup companies, please share:

1. Who do you use?
2. Why did you pick them?
3. How long have you been with them?
4. What do you like and/or dislike about them now that you are signed up with them?

I'll give a greenie for everyone who answers all 4 questions :)

slapshot_oi · Dec 8, 2009, 09:14 AM

1)GMail
2)Already had an account and I now have 7.5GB to work with.
3)Since 2004
4)Nothing to dislike, it's Google.

If you're doing a simple back-up this works perfectly and it's free. I only back-up work stuff which is just code, so if someone stole it I couldn't care less. All my sensitive information stays local and encrypted.

GMail Drive

RickJ · Dec 8, 2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by slapshot_oi

1)GMail
2)Already had an account and I now have 7.5GB to work with.
3)Since 2004
4)Nothing to dislike, it's Google.

If you're doing a simple back-up this works perfectly and it's free. I only back-up work stuff which is just code, so if someone stole it I could care less. All my sensitive information stays local and encrypted.

GMail Drive

?
Gmail is not an online backup system. I am speaking of companies such as barracudanetworks.com, mozy.com, etc. The type of company that is reviewed here: The Best Online Backup Services - Reviews by PC Magazine (but the review is old... which is why I'm asking here :) )

I am looking for backups of my entire computer (or at least everything in My Documents folder)

InfoJunkie4Life · Dec 9, 2009, 09:26 AM

Actually there is an add-on you can get for Firefox called G-Space, which creates a drag and drop environment so you can upload and backup to Gmail.

I agree, except I'm not fond of the bandwidth. Uploading is always too slow. Cable/DSl.

InfoJunkie4Life · Dec 9, 2009, 09:28 AM

Go to Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com and look for a program that creates a compressed disk image. You can usually part it out and separate it into pieces if it is larger than 7GB, but Google lets you create unlimited accounts, so back it all up.

NeedKarma · Dec 9, 2009, 09:28 AM

Sorry mate, I backup to DVD and take that to my office.

RickJ · Dec 9, 2009, 09:28 AM

To clarify: I'm looking for a "service" that is automatic - like barracuda, mozy, etc. I want to "set it and forget it" so that the computer (or the parts that I set) are backed up daily.

RickJ · Dec 9, 2009, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

Sorry mate, I backup to DVD and take that to my office.

You posted while I was posting. I have an external hard drive - and can certainly back up to CDs or DVDs... but I'd rather pay a service to do it on a daily basis automatically.

Yes, I know that there is software that will do it for me, but if I get a lightening strike, or some other serious problem, then I lose everything... which is why I'm looking at the online services...

NeedKarma · Dec 9, 2009, 09:31 AM

If you don't get anyone with direct experience then I can offer the second best option:
Best free Online backup sites
I love and trust that site and sometimes contribute there.

Eta: also check the comments, good stuff there too.

Alty · Dec 9, 2009, 09:41 AM

Are you guys talking french again? :confused:

No advice on this end, I'm just glad I have a computer that I can turn on and use.

Shush, no comments about the computer illiterate dummy. Be nice!

I'll leave you boys to your puter talk. Discuss. :)

NeedKarma · Dec 9, 2009, 09:42 AM

Pop by anytime with a computer question alty - that's my value to my workplace: I take techie concepts and explain them to business people.

Alty · Dec 9, 2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

Pop by anytime with a computer question alty - that's my value to my workplace: I take techie concepts and explain them to business people.

Computer people get fed up with my questions, probably because they go something like this;

"The doodad attached to the thingamajig is making a clink clink noise and now the whatsit isn't working". :o

If I ever stop coming to AMHD you know that something went terribly wrong with my computer. ;)

NeedKarma · Dec 9, 2009, 09:58 AM

I do have the benefit here (at work) of actually seeing the issue most of the time so that helps.

InfoJunkie4Life · Dec 9, 2009, 10:09 AM

Carbonite is really the only one I know of.

I was just pointing out about Google. Good Luck

RickJ · Dec 9, 2009, 10:57 AM

Carbonite is the other one that's on my list (but I failed to mention above). I must admit that I'm surprised to not find (yet) that any of you here are doing such a thing.

... that means a lot in and of iteself. Maybe it's so new that it's not caught on yet... which means that maybe I should be looking at software instead of an online service... hmmm...

slapshot_oi · Dec 9, 2009, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by RickJ

Yes, I know that there is software that will do it for me, but if I get a lightening strike, or some other serious problem, then I lose everything...which is why I'm looking at the online services...

Sending your data over the internet is far less reliable than copying data from one hard-drive to another in the same room. Lighting or a car can strike any telephone pole and you've just lost internet and power, leaving you're backup with corrupted data. And of course, it's also a lot slower.

I don't know of anyone who uses internet back-up services unless it's free, which is why I mentioned GMail.

I have used Acronis TrueImage in my last company, it's more than what your asking for (My Documents backup) but it makes for an easier disaster recovery should your OS completely fail. That program does have an option to do simple data copies, too.

NeedKarma · Dec 9, 2009, 11:42 AM

I agree with the imaging being the easier and most quick way to recover from a disaster.