Online Backup - Advanced Method to Save Data

March 27, 2006

Most of computer users understand it’s necessary to make reserve copies of important documents and files. But only 10% of users actually backup their files. Others don’t backup files or perform backups at long intervals. As a result, significant data, time, energy, and in the end, money could be lost.

Backup programs simplify modern human life. They allow users to forget about routine backups and keep all documents secure. Currently, there are various backup applications that provide users with choice in price and features for storage.

Storage Choices

Let’s consider problem with choice of storage that will hold reserve copies of data. You decide what way to save and get access to backed-up files, which is more convenient for you. It could be CD-R/CD-RW/DVD media; Local network drives; ZIP, JAZ, MO; Flash drives; HDD and floppy disks; Remote FTP servers or Online backup service.

Online Backup

Online backup seems the most reliable data storing method. Moreover, this method is safer than, for example, backup to USB-flash, DVD or CD. Usually these devices are located near a computer or a laptop and if an emergency happens: fire, flood, earthquake etc; or if a laptop with its case, where you have all these devices is stolen, you will lose your precious data forever.

Using Email for Backups

There are other means of online backup. Some people use huge space e-mail like www.gmail.com to store necessary information. Even if we forget about such web-resources were not created for these purposes, still email backups this won’t be enough. After all you save some files that you think are the most important at this time and you forget about other files that could be needed for in the future. In addition, backup process will not be easy. You have to make reserve copies of data manually. Forget to save – lose data!

Backing up Websites

And one more way to backup your files is saving to your personal website(s). But you can have some troubles with this method of document keeping. Usually, a website is designed for others to visit and read pages. Of course, you can limit access to your information by registration, but nevertheless other people can see your files. Therefore, documents could be accessible for some Internet-users. This does not suit you if you want to hold work and business files on a website.

What to Choose?

So the best way to backup your files is to choose an online backup service.

Some services offer just a space for your documents; some of them offer convenient file tree, which helps you to find required documents as fast as you want. On some of them you can store mp3 and video format files. But let’s consider the best suggestion of free online backup for today that gives all above features. It puts 2 GB free space at your disposal. But there is a restriction. You can download to server just 100 files or 100 MB a month; moreover, you can’t download files more than 10 MB in size. This way is rather admissible if you don’t have busy flow of documents.

All in all, reserve copies to free backup service doesn’t suit to a user who has constant turnover of various documents; and, of course, it doesn’t meet big company and firm views.

Surely, we have alternative mode to solve problem with large amount of data. Paid online backup services offer any size of space. You have an opportunity to buy from 2 GB to 500 GB and full up it at such speed that work process needs. You won’t depend on server conditions. And if you need to save 103 files a month and if you pay for server monthly, you get exactly that quantity you need.

Also a huge benefit of these services is function not only to keep documents but also it can restore lost data on your computer. For example, you have deleted a file accidentally, and you need it at this moment. Restore function helps you return a file to your computer. You can use deleted earlier information but for all that you don’t have to remember strenuously what data were kept in this file - you can just click on “restore”.

Besides, paid services give a lot more convenient program features. It turns backup operation to invisible process for users and makes one’s life easy and pleasant. Effective backup schedule (date/time/frequency), synchronize files and folders, e-mail notification about operation results and other usable features – these are preferences of paid backup services.

So if your company perceives necessity to backup significant business data or if you must have reserve copies of all your documentation personally that is better to use paid online backup services like http://www.handybackup.net/online-backup.shtml.

This article was  written and submitted by 
Anastasia Silkovitch,
Publicist