Mac users

[tagmeth]

A question for my Mac readers.  What's the difference between cloud drive and icloud drive?  I want to use one for the primary manuscript and the other for automatic back-up, but maybe it doesn't work that way.  And how does my mac hard drive figure in this?  I'm terrified of losing what I write since upgrading OS screwed up all of my files..

Comments

[ext_3560298]

I don't use the Apple drives. I use Dropbox which creates a folder that is always sync'd to the cloud. I buy external hard drives off Amazon and use them for Time Machine backups (belt and suspenders, eh?). Yeah the last upgrade cost me about 20 hours of work recovering stuff. Fortunately for me, it was all still in Dropbox but I had to completely rebuild my music library

[lostandsearchin]

I'd have to see a screenshot of what "cloud drive" is. It's most likely an app specific back up similar to Microsoft One Drive.

In my opinion, you can never have too many back-ups of the really important stuff. What we do in the shop is each mac has a dedicated external hard drive running Time Machine. It's important to make sure it's large enough to store enough previous versions. I used to use a third party app that stopped the obnoxious hourly backups from filling the drive, but the latest OS has finally fixed it so you can set how often to back up.

Then, I also use network storage for a searchable long-term backup of the finished work, and we burn everything to DVD before transferring to the NAS and clearing off the computers.

Finally, I utilize a mix of iCloud, Google Drive and One Drive (microsoft) depending on what it's for and how I need to access it.

For your purposes, what program are you writing in? That will determine what I recommend for the best way to keep redundant back-ups.

-Tashina

[tagmeth]

I use Microsoft Word for Mac, Version 16.16.27. Currently, I'm making corrections on iCloud and then manually backing them up on the hard drive. Said corrections are too often to print out hard copies all the time. I also periodically use an external hard drive.

[lostandsearchin]

ok, I think I understand what your process is. Working in "the cloud" means that you are, for the most part, fairly well backed up. I can well imagine printing them every time adding up fast.

Your on fairly current word, so you should have One-Drive access. If you're saving there and backing up your local computer with iCloud you've got at least 3 redundant copies.

I'm heading up to Stevens Point next Saturday (the 9th), I have to be at the meeting early, but we should be done around 3ish. I could stop by on my way back down and take a look if you would like. I'm basically driving right past.

[tagmeth]

Sounds good. Thanks! I'm an idiot in regards to computer issues. My first corrections on GS were glued onto the original manuscript, literally cut and paste. Be prepared for a messy house, though. I'm currently doing multiple yarn modular knitting with many boxes.. 1237 Liberty St Oshkosh.

[pyoro_2]

I only got older Apple stuff, but iCloud Drive is your typical cloud service, provided by Apple. You turn it on for a folder, and it'll automatically get synchronized to an online version of said folder that that can be accessed from any device where you're logged into your Apple/iCloud account (I think on newer macs the documents folder is by default doing that