Now that I have lots of PDF files of articles, it seems like a good idea to do regular backups. So I mirror all the key directories onto an external drive.
Last night I did the same — and the external disk started clicking. And clicking. Yes, it’s the “click of death” — a hard disk on its way out.
I hastily ordered two more external hard disks off the web!
It’s been suggested to me that I should get a NAS box with a couple of drives mirroring each other and run it in the loft, backing up wirelessly.
Carbonite. I keep tellin’ ya.
For 500+Gb?
I use external drives like others use tissue. I go through a box (20 drives) in a month easily.
For my personal backup I do use external drives, like you.
But, I also zip up (actually 7zip or 7z because of better compression) of critical files and upload it to my Google documents. Passwords, bookmarks, critical documents and such.
Right now a Google account gives 7.5GB free space.
1TB is 256USD/year. 400GB is 100USD/year. At 100USD, the price is comparable to an external HDD.
There are also free tools to make a Google account look like a drive letter… drag and drop. So, 7z, drag and drop. 😀
I’ve found Dropbox helpful, just using the free account with 2Gb.
I am just listening to Leo Laporte on his Internet podcast “This Week In Google” and he says he knows a fellow who is backing up 2 TB on Carbonite. So, you probably ought to call them or e-mail them and find out.
I have been using Backblaze (similar to Carbonite) for the last year or so. I currently have > 400gb backed up there and quite like it.