Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Best way to backup? DVDs, CDs or USB flash drivers?
Hi guys...
I need to make backups, so far I backup things to an external drive.
But, I know that hard disk, drivers they can crash...
What would be the best form of backup nowadays?
I was reading that CDs and DVDs will last a few years, hard disks you can't trust that much because they crash...and that the best option would be USB flash because it doesn't have moving parts etc..I don't know anything about flash drivers.
I like carbonite too. I also put things on DVDs. I don't like flash drives because they fail quite often. I lost 4gigs of digi stamps on one and another one with a bunch of other stuff.
My husband recently recommended that I try Dropbox. It works kind of like a safety deposit box, in that your pictures are kept off site (off of your computer, DVD's or flash drivers), they're locked up safely, and you can access them whenever you like with your password.
It's the whole idea behind the "cloud". It simply means that instead of saving your pictures on something you own, you save them on someone else's server. Since you're looking at using this service only as a back-up, it might be worth a look.
The other thing I like is that I can put pictures in my Dropbox from my computer or my smartphone.
I use Carbonite and it makes me feel secure. I wonder, though, if I should be doing some other form of backup just to maybe be able to access some things faster if necessary.
I think you get a certain amount of space free on Dropbox and then you pay if you want more. I haven't quite figured out Dropbox yet!
An answer to your question online backup is the new form of backups nowadays.
To mention a few of it's pros you may be able to get to your files via the internet which can be very handy. Plus you are protected if your offline backup is lost, stolen, or destroyed (fire/flood/malfunction/etc).
However, you wouldn't have direct control over your data and if your provider goes out of business, what happens to your data?
As for my backup plan i use both to be honest i use backblaze to backup my pics and files to the cloud. And Genie timeline as a local backup software with a disaster recovery plan to make sure all my programs would be restored in case of hard drive failure.
finally i wouldn't recommend a flash drive to use.
"PDR reports a 300 percent year-on-year increase in cases of USB drives that have "suddenly stopped working," as a result of "faults, misuse and an increasing number of poorly manufactured devices on the market."
-According to a report issued by data recovery specialist Payam Data Recovery (PDR), cases of faulty USB flash drives are on the rise, growing at an even faster rate than unit sales themselves.
Are these online backups hacker safe? Are they secure that way?
You don't have to worry about security most of the services uses modern encryption methods. Encryption techniques may vary depending on the online backup service you choose to use, but all of the reliable services will use one of the accepted security measures to keep your data safe and secure. Preferably if the service offers encryption before leaving your machine.
I'm confused what this means? Aren't all digital images, regardless of company, in the library the customer uses? whether online backup, flash drive, cd or whatever?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Markey
Remember, all the items you purchase from Stampin' Up is in your library. You can always access the again!
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
Carolyn, she means when you purchase downloads from Stampin' Up! there is a library created that you access at the SU! website under your account, so anything you've previously purchased can be downloaded again later if you have a problem.
thanks for clarifying. To bad we have to purchase a special program, with SU.
I use the paint program, already on my computer with other companies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinyAcorns
Carolyn, she means when you purchase downloads from Stampin' Up! there is a library created that you access at the SU! website under your account, so anything you've previously purchased can be downloaded again later if you have a problem.
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
I didn't have any luck downloaded it with the paint program. Don't want to waste my money trying it again. Someone sure can show me otherwise; if it works for them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinyAcorns
hm, I thought SU! downloads were compatible with other software, but I haven't tried it, since I have MDS.
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
I just recently started using flashdrives. I have decided to put them on flash drive and also burn them to cds. I am glad I started using a second method of back-up though, because I was copying some cds to flash drive and the info I had burned onto one of the cds was gone; there was nothing showing up on the cd. Fortunately, those same images had been saved to another set on another cd. Whew! I had another cd to do the same thing, but I had copied those images to two cds, so the second one worked. Although, it sounds like I had better start copying images from the flash drive to cd, even before I get the flash drive full to make sure I don't lose them. Maybe I should triple back them up! lol... I adore all the images though; I'd hate to lose them.
Thanks for the info!
I use 2 external drives. That way if one crashes I have the other. I had Carbonite for a year but canceled. Recovery is too slow.
Note: SU downloads are compatible with other software. I use Digital Image Pro (MS software that is no longer available) and PSE and they work with both programs
You can also get a Mozy free account for 2 GB of storage. They are backed up online so even if your computer and all your backups are destroyed you can still get your digis back. Over 2 GB's of storage then they want you to pay.
~Abb
yes, I am aware that SU is compatible with other softwares; I choose not to have to purchase one of these programs for the added expense. Trials, usually lead into cost also. My computer does not have word, but, does have the paint program furnished and I can use that free of cost.
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
If the paint program you have is what comes free as an accessory to your computer, it is very limited. SU will not work with paint because paint is a bitmap program and will not work with quality vector graphics.
There are several better free programs (no trial then cost) that will work with other graphic formats.
I am all for free also. I have been using Open Office, which is a free office suite, for several years.
Best way to backup? DVDs, CDs or USB flash drivers?
