Comments | the_new_perfect: Mac users... help!

the_new_perfect

Mac users... help!

Feb 16, 2009 10:06

So here I am, being a responsible home office type and realizing that my random and infrequent stabs at backup are inefficient at best, and a prescription for heartache at worst. My dream would be to backup my files offsite, and the types of files most critical to backup are my photos (can't find the gigs, but 8137 pix), my music (over 63 gigs), ( Read more... )

Comments 13

chillyrodent February 16 2009, 15:37:47 UTC

This is interesting, because before this week, I hadn't considered backing up stuff online. We just use an external hard drive, but that's only good in case of computer crash, not roof crash.

I do use Eye-Fi, which I tell you to tell you this: Most of my pictures are automatically uploaded to both iPhoto and PhotoBucket. PB resizes them, so you do lose a little going that route.

I'm going to look into this Crash thing, though.

the_new_perfect February 16 2009, 16:53:08 UTC

Good to know, about the photos. Check out the comment below about the probable lack of need for offsite storage. I'm more concerned with my computer being stolen, as opposed to hurricane damage, so he's probably right.

puppie February 16 2009, 15:45:59 UTC

I use a Dell and I use their backup service, so I'm no help. Sorry...

the_new_perfect February 16 2009, 16:50:29 UTC

Good thing you're cute!

ironman1231 February 16 2009, 16:09:22 UTC

Storing your files offsite is probably an unnecessary step Unless the files are unbelievably critical, and if you have those, they're probably small enough that you could burn a DVD and just keep it in your car or something.

All you need is Time Machine on an external Hard drive. With Time Machine, you can have it backup automatically.
http://www.apple.com/support/leopard/timemachine/

Here are two options for the external HD:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB277LL/A
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Essential-External-WDH1U10000N/dp/B000VZCEUI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234800528&sr=1-1

Enjoy.

the_new_perfect February 16 2009, 16:51:49 UTC

Thanks, Mr. info rockstar!

lizsybarite February 17 2009, 02:22:20 UTC

Seconding the external drive - and now I think I need to take a look at this Time Machine!

rexlezard February 17 2009, 01:31:50 UTC

Mozy - hmm, I don't know if it's for Mac. But check it out, mozy.com I think. There's a limit to how much is free, but it's easy to set up and it babysits itself.

I also e-mail files to a gmail address I keep for just that purpose, it's the only thing I use it for, and while it would be cumbersome to back up my entire life from it, it has all the essential, life critical documents, and it's accessible from anywhere, any time. I don't e-mail photos or music, but it works for documents.

the_new_perfect February 17 2009, 13:38:42 UTC

I saw mozy, but I think it's PCish. And I'm all about emailing myself documents. How did we live before we could do that? Oh wait, I remember, and I have the folders of hard copies of newspaper clippings to prove it.

Time Capsule anonymous February 17 2009, 16:17:20 UTC

I'd recommend a Time Capsule as well. It won't help you if your house burns down, but the level of effort required is about 3 clicks once you get it, and nothing after that.

It's a low enough barrier to entry that finally got me started on backing up our data. :)

-Andy

Re: Time Capsule the_new_perfect February 18 2009, 13:37:41 UTC

Awesome. No hose fires!