Back Me Up!

[a_r_williams]

Have you ever had a computer problem, one which threatened every single file, application, or piece of data you had on your computer? Maybe it was a virus, or the computer simply failed due to age, or you erased something you later realized you needed.

Either way, the data that was saved was corrupt or no longer attainable. A good back up plan can

Comments

[jl_johnson]

Gah, this has happened to me TWICE!

First time, was way back in the mid 90's. I'd started writing again, but my wrist was getting sore easily and I found a typewriter that would save typed documents to diskettes. Perfect. I wrote my first n ovel on that thing, but when I got a computer a about a year later (second hand) the computer didn't recognize the typewriter format.

I transfered all the files to the computer, and spent the next year trying to erase all the extra characters (ugh). With each new computer I would transfer the files and keep fixing it, then January 1, 2001 my whole computer crashed. I lost everything. Stories, pictures you name it.

I've learned my lesson. I back things up on TWO flash drives, my C drive, and if I can find a cheap or free online document storage site, it'll go there too.

I am just too paranoid now.

[a_r_williams]

Yah, it's happened to me as well. The first time the computer just died and wouldn't come back on.

The second time it was because of a virus, but fortunately I was able to save the information on to a flash drive.

The computer I have now comes with backup software which does a good job.

[bogwitch64]

I back up my file/s daily. I have several flash drives. One has all manuscripts whether first draft or final. Another has all those files I'm still working in. Another is specifically for transferring things to and from the internet (like sumbissions and such.) I have my writing computer that is NEVER attached to the internet with ALL my files both in use and not in use. And I have my laptop, in which I save almost no files on because it is attached to the internet and thus, corruptible.

The house computer only just had to be completely wiped and reprogrammed due to a really bad virus someone picked up somewhere. Thankfully, I don't store photos on that computer, but rather in venues like Snapfish or Flickr.

[a_r_williams]

" I have my writing computer that is NEVER attached to the internet with ALL my files both in use and not in use."

This is what I would like to be able to do one day. It ensures the greatest protection from viruses.

[jongibbs]

Good advice. I use cds and lots of those flash drive thingies.

[a_r_williams]

I love flash drives. The only thing I hate though, is that they are so easy to forget if you use them on another computer.

That has as much anxiousness and panic attached to it as computer hard drives.

I have a handful of them and they are handy little suckers.

[tracy_d74]

I use flash drives (I have two) and my computer. My computer crashed in September. It was the longest month of my life. But I had my flash drives with all stories and important documents on them. I did go out and get CD's to store my ITunes music. It was the only thing not backed up. I have an IPod, but not all songs are on it. But all is good with the world now. Ebony (my computer) is home and safe. And flash drives never get left . . . jeez, I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

[a_r_williams]

"It was the longest month of my life."

I know the feeling. It's can be very depressing if you've lost either a lot of stuff or stuff that you'll never be able to get back.

[mongrelheart]

Awesome article! I like your file organization system. And backup is a must. I'm a slow enough writer as it is, I can't afford to lose anything hehe.

I back up my files to an external hard drive (I have it set to run automatically every night). I also back up my files remotely on Jungle Disk (in case my house catches on fire along with my external hard drive).

Flash drives can be useful but i don't like to rely on them too much because (1) they don't last forever & (2) I'm easily confuzzled by having to remember where the most current version of the file resides, the flash drive or the computer.

I have been using Dropbox for about a year & would definitely recommend it. It lets you sync your files across all the computers that you use. And its free.

[a_r_williams]

I probably need to change my settings so that it creates a backup everyday. That way I'll have every new word saved.

And Dropbox sounds pretty cool. I'll check it out. Thanks for the link!

[mongrelheart]

You're welcome :-)