Online Backup Search

SugarSync vs SpiderOak

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:11:00 -0500

this is the sugarsync vs spideroak comparison.

MyPC Backup Review: upgrade again?

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:07:00 -0500

Also, most of the review sites have links and are funded through the backup companies so please review carefully.

SpiderOak Review: Great Data Backup Manager

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:28:00 -0500

As a backup software nerd, SpiderOak excites me with all of it's backup, syncing and share features. The only downside is that it takes some getting used to, and most customers won't want to spend the time figuring out how to use the software. Signup, install and setup were pretty straightforward. The syndication step threw me off, but after it was finished the rest of the setup was easy. To start backing up you have to manually start the software allowing you to go through all of your data first. I'm used to backup programs like SpiderOak, so setting up the files and folders for backup wasn't hard for me at all. I actually prefer using the advanced settings to see exactly which files I'm backing up. On the other hand, someone less proficient may be happier when the software starts backing up all the important data right away, automatically. I was able to restore files in the "View" tab of the SpiderOak software. This was easy and required minimal effort on my part to locate and download the file. Using their website was very easy. It's a minimally designed website dashboard which I'm usually a fan of, but you can't set up any devices, manage files, share files, or set up any share rooms. Everything has to be setup through the software. The iPhone app is a great utility. I did not have any trouble using it or figuring out how to navigate it. I really enjoyed some of it's sharing features like sending a file via SMS. One problem I had with it is you can't back up any of your phone's pictures. This is one of the features I always look for in phone backup apps. Overall, SpiderOak does a great job at giving customers plenty of options and keeping files very secure. The software design is outdated and the website needs more options, but overall they have made quite an impressive backup and data management utility. Read on for the details of my SpiderOak experience Sign up and Installation Signing up was very easy. I made my way to the website and downloaded the software. After a very brief installation, I logged in and was confronted with an odd "syndication" screen. This screen shows that SpiderOak it was searching for files and folders on the account to sync and if there is any data out there it will sync it to my latest install. This felt unnecessary for me to see (the new user) because it added technical jargon and complexity. Personally, I think would be better off syndicating in the background. After the syndication screen, the software launched and I started using it without any another interruptions. Backing up After installation is complete, the software takes you straight into it's main screen which is called "Status". It gives you a little bit too much information all at once. For example, It shows you three of it's main processes, "Back Up", "Sync", and "Share" along with some icons and text that updates the progress of each. This was a bit overwhelming at first, because I had not even selected my files yet, so I was not sure if it was backing up yet or not. I figured out that I still needed to configure the backup, but had trouble figuring out how to do that from the Status tab. I made my way to the Backup tab where you can select your files and folders. In basic backup select mode you are given the option to backup using categories like "Desktop", "Documents", "Pictures", etc... I switched to "Advanced" mode which allows you to select files and folders using the native folder structure and check boxes next to the folders you want to backup. I prefer this method because it gives me more precise control over which files I want to backup. It took me about an hour to back up 1.26GBs on a 7Mbps upload. I have a pretty fast connection so I would imagine that it will take most people longer to backup. Preferences I like the preferences on SpiderOak. There is a section for how the software operates called Interface, a section called Backup which gives you file size, date and extension limits, a section called Schedule which gives you options for your backups, sync folders, share folders, a section called Copy which saves a local copy at the location you choose incase you need to retrieve it quickly, a section called Network lets you connect to proxy and limit bandwidth, and a General section gives you some, SpiderOak options. File Restore Once you get used to the software, restoring files is pretty simple. You can view your files from either the software or the website. In the software under the "View" tab, navigate to the folder and restore it by clicking Download. On the website you can click download next to any file or folder. Sharing Sharing is one of my favorite parts of SpiderOak. It gives you control over the name of your sharing ID, what they call the "Room key" which is just a name attached to the URL, and they let you password protect it if you want. This whole process is great. You can create share rooms for anything at any time and add passwords to protect them. I could see this being very useful for sharing files with friends or clients for example. The room is shared by sending the generated URL and the visitors will come to the SpiderOak website to see the folder. Conclusion SpiderOak is great for control and data management. You get lots of control over how your files and backed up, synced and shared. The options are really great but take some getting used to. The design of the software could be better compared to newer, cleaner apps out there. The whole backup, syncing and sharing process was pretty good for me. I liked the advanced file structure for choosing files, but the actual backup transfer took awhile. The restore process was straightforward and easy enough for me to get my files without trouble. SpiderOak has some great functionality and the architecture that it's built on is very sturdy. However, it's just not up to par with easier to use syncing and backup software. I would definitely use a backup management system like this if it were a little cleaner and easy to use.

MyPC Backup Vs Backblaze

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:24:00 -0500

Detailed Comparison

Backblaze and MyPC Backup are two great companies lets go through them and see what the differences are.

1. Plans & Price

Both myPC Backup and Backblaze offer unlimited space but myPC Backup offers more features than BackBlaze. The biggest difference is myPC Backup offers file sharing and syncing between your computers and other people.

myPC Backup

Plans & Pricing can be a bit of a maze for myPC Backup but if you know how to navigate it you can get great features at a great price. They offer 3 Plans: Home 75GB of storage, Premium 250GB of Storage, and Unlimited with unlimited storage. With all plans, the more months you pay for upfront, the lower the cost.

We found a hidden link on the site that will save 35% on all prices.

Home Plan Prices	Standard Rates	35% with Secret Link
(75GB Storage) Pay for 2 years Pay for 1 year Pay for 6 months Pay by the month	Monthly Price $5.95 $6.95 $7.95 $8.95	Monthly Price $3.59 $3.96 $4.76 $5.56
Premium Plan Prices	Standard Rates	35% with Secret Link
(250GB Storage) Pay for 2 years Pay for 1 year Pay for 6 months Pay by the month	Monthly Price $6.95 $7.95 $8.95 $9.95	Monthly Price $3.96 $4.76 $5.56 $6.36
Unlimited Plan Prices	Standard Rates	35% with Secret Link
(Unlimited Storage) Pay for 2 years Pay for 1 year Pay for 6 months Pay by the month	Monthly Price $8.95 $9.95 $11.95 $12.95	Monthly Price $5.56 $6.36 $7.16 $7.96

Backblaze

Plans & Pricing are very straight forward, all features are included and no upgrade charges.

Additional computers are billed at the same rate.

Prices:

$5.00/month or $60/year -- Pay by the month
$4.17/month or $50/year -- Pay for 1 year
$3.96/month or $47.50/year -- Pay for 2 years

2. File Backups

Both comapanies have a small app that installs on your computer. Once it is installed you can then select which files should be backed up, how often the jobs should run and set the times of day when jobs start and stop. Both are very easy to use and configure.

myPC Backup

myPC backup is the more flexible of the two.

Scheduling. Set advanced schedules, including specific days of the week and the month. You als seclect the time of day for the job to start as well as the times the job should pause. For our work computers we start the Job at 2AM and then have the job paus between 8AM and 6PM as not to interfere with the work day. For an additional charge you can upgrade to hourly backup, if needed.

File Selection. You are give two options. Backup your documents folder or Manual Selection. Both work well just depends on your needs. When it comes to file type exclusion, myPC Backup has a more restrictive default list of file exclusions

Filetype exclusion list:

Backblaze

Backblaze has all of the standard features needed.

Scheduling. You have three options, backup continuously, backup once per day, backup when you start the job yourself. While I like that backblaze will backup your computer continously with the standard plan, I opt for the once per day option. I want to be 100% sure file transfer does not slow my computer or internet connection. Backblaze does not have advanced scheduling options.

File Selection. By default Backblaze backs up your entire computer. You have the option to manually select files if you prefer. Another nice feature is that they will backup external hard drives for no addtional cost.

File type Exclusion list: wab~, vmc, vhd, vo1, vo2, vsv, vud, vmdk, vmsn, vmsd, hdd, vdi, vmwarevm, nvram, vmx, vmem, iso, dmg, sparseimage, sys, cab, exe, msi, dll, dl_, wim, ost, o, qtch, log, ithmb.

3. File Restores

Restoring files with both is a pretty easy process and each company has their own method of file restoration. MyPC Backup file restores are instantaneous while Backblaze queues the file which can take a while to complete.

myPC Backup

Restore Options. myPC backup allows you to restore your files easily and immediately

File restores are done through the software, you browse to the files and folders to be restored, make your selection and then click restore files. You are then prompted to select where you want the file restored and the file is instantly restored. The restored files are placed in a directory labeled MyPCBackup_Restore_THEDATE and will have all the same containing folders as the original one did.

Backblaze

Web downloads and physical media restores are available.

Web Restores. To restore a file, the Backblaze software directs you to their website. There you select the files and folder to be restored the click 'Continue with Restore' The restore job is then put into a queue and you are sent an email when the files are ready. The notification email contains a link that takes you to the 'My Restores' section of the Backblaze website. You then download the zipped files to your computer. Unzip them and you have your files back.

Physcial Restores. This is a pretty cool option that not all backup companies have. If you have hundreds of gigs of data to restore you can opt to have Backblaze restore your data and ship it to you via fed ex. Why would you want this option? Because it can take days or weeks to download that much data across the internet depending on your internet connection speed. When you have a major disaster you want your data back right away and can not afford to wait. Price range for a physical restore start at $99 and include the device and shipping.

4. Support

Both companies offer email only support and no phone support. Both companies have helpful timely technical support. myPC backup has the option to pay for priority support at $10/year.

myPC Backup

I submitted serveral support tickets and had fast responses. As soon as you submit a support ticket you are immediately sent a confirmation email. They claim 95% of all tickets are answered in 2 hours. I checked the two most recent support requests, one was answered in 8 minutes, the second took ???

You have the option to upgrade to 1hr support for around $10/year. Not sure if this is needed, I suppose if you have a large data loss it will be helpful and $10 is a small price to pay for priority support.

Backblaze

Again email only support and when you submit a support request you are sent an email confirmation. Backblaze state that most support requests are answered the same day. When I submitted a request it took about 1 hour for a response and resolve the issue. Pretty good if you ask me.

Conclusion

Both are great companies. myPC Backup is the way to go if you need file sharing and syncing an a more flexible solution.

Backblaze is a great option if you are looking for a lower cost backup only solution.

IBackup Review: IBackup is better for businesses

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:04:00 -0500

I started with IBackup for my business computer. I had a budget for it and everything but after a couple weeks I figured out I didn't need all of their features. I talked to a rep, and they said IDrive may be a better fit for me and that IBackup is meant for larger businesses with some more complex, technical needs. They were right lol. Anyway, If you're a large business try IBackup out because they do have a lot of features. I just didn't know how to use them.

Carbonite Review: Simple backup solution

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:52:00 -0500

i agree a lot with the editor about features here. Carbonite does not have a lot of the features some one like me needs. An advanced scheduler would be great because I do not want to tie up my internet while I'm working or using it. I can also see where other features would be beneficial. After trying it i just need a little more control over my backups. That's all. but if you just want a straightforward backup tool, than this may work for ya

Google Drive Review: A Good Step For Google

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:38:00 -0500

It's been great to have Google Drive. As a Google docs user, It was an easy transition for me. It just so happened that I had a lot of my docs already organized and there was very little confusion when I set up the desktop sync folder. I does get a little weird with the new file type support. Files that are not recognized by Google aren't as flexible in the web app. This isn't a problem, but more of an aesthetic choice. Like most Google products, you aren't going to get much technical support. You may find a FAQ about how to troubleshoot a problem, but you will never speak to a representative. That being said, most of the time you can count on Drive to work and the price is right. So for me it works pretty well. I would just hate if someone started using it and got stuck and had to cancel because the technical support was poor.

Google Drive Review: Reliable Google

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:21:00 -0500

I really like Google Drive, and prefer it over any other backup. I like it for the sharing capabilities, and the integration with GMail, Picasa, and Google Docs to say the least. It works great with my clients and I am one very happy Customer.

Dropbox Review: Dropbox

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:14:00 -0500

I just like the dropbox has always been reliable, it's easy to use and it's familiar.

Backblaze Review: Getting Better

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:15:00 -0500

I have been with Backblaze for over a couple of years now and have to say the service does get better with time. I pay a very small amount per month and get unlimited backup. When I have needed to access my files it has never been a problem. I have never needed their support so I cannot really rate that. I will continue to stay with them, and look forward to the continuous improvements they seem to publish every so often.

Online Backup Service Buying Guide

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:28:00 -0500

It's time to pick out online backup. How do you choose the best backup plan for your situation?

There are five key factors that will simplify the process and make your decision a piece of cake. We will determine which plan is best for you based on amount of space, level of service, types of features, comparing with other services, and test out the service.

1. Amount Of Space

Figuring out how much space you will be backing up is one of the most crucial steps in finding the best plan for you. This is because a lot of companies price their plans according to how much space is used.

To see how much space you will need organize your files and add up the total amount of bytes they take up (Megabytes, Gigabytes, Terabytes, etc…). Learn how to find large files on your computer to easily sort out those you want to backup from those you do not.

Tip: on a Mac right-click on a folder or file and select "Get Info" to see the size of an items contents. On a Windows right click on a file or folder and select "Properties" to see the same information.

2. Level Of Service

You may already know the answer to this question. There is a difference between personal and business backup. Personal plan prices start a little lower but you get less space and features. Business plan prices are higher, have more tools, better technical support and more space (sometimes, The total space is shared among several users).

An example of this is SugarSync's two plans, personal and business.

SugarSync's personal plan comes with 60GB's for $7.49/month for 1 user. You can use that 60GB's for anything you want to sync across your personal devices. You do not get features like admin dashboard, user management, collaboration or email integration.
SugarSync's business plan comes with 1TB of space and three user accounts for $55/Month. That's around 333GB's and $18/month per user. You get features like admin dashboard, user management, collaboration and email integration.

Not all personal and business plans are this simple. Others may incorporate other unique tools and more space. It varies based on the company.

The deciding factors comes down to space, users and features.

3. Types Of Features

Different companies will offer different features in order to stand out from the crowd, but these companies all share some of the same, more common features. Here are the most common features and when they are useful.

Syncing - Useful for a person or company who needs data automatically delivered to multiple devices using the internet. Syncing is commonly done with a special folder that you put files into. All files inside this folder are copied to all other devices which also have this folder.
User Management - Only applicable to multiple user plans, this feature gives administrators control over the users through permission settings. businesses like this type of control so they can specify roles for employees and give them a set amount of backup space.
Collaboration - This takes advantage of syncing technology by keeping all documents up to date real time across multiple computers. Businesses like this feature a lot because it allows for everyone to work on a document together and make changes quickly. This feature usually has the document history saved so that each time someone updates the document you can still retrieve older versions.
Scheduling - A must have feature for both personal and business users. Scheduling allows you to plan backups for when the computer will be the least busy so it does not tie up resources. Two examples are businesses which schedule backups for everyday after work and personal users who schedule backups for nights and weekends.

For a full list of common terms used by backup companies and what they mean check out our list of definitions.

4. Compare The Services

For this you need a piece of paper and an hour or so. Select a few companies (use our top picks list). Once you have found some companies, make a table like the one below. This is an simple example of how we break down backup companies.

Company	Price	Space	Users	Syncing	Visit
MyPC Backup	$4.95/Month	Unlimited	1 User	1GB Sync Folder	Go
SugarSync	$7.49/Month	60GB	1 User	Fully Syncable	Go
IBackup	$9.95/Month	100GB	1 User	No Syncing	Go
Box	$9.95/Month	25GB	1 User	Fully Syncable	Go

You can expand this comparison table to include features like we listed in step 3 should you find them an integral part of your online backup search. If you want to learn more about each company, simply click on their name to view our review of them.

5. Test Out The Service

Don't hesitate to try out a company. Most will let you use a free trial or offer a money back guarantee. Worst case scenario is you pay for just one month of service up front and cancel if you do not like them.

If you have followed our comprehensive backup guide, you will be prepared for testing each company with the process that's best for you.

Here are some things you can test.

First start by testing the backup software installation. Was it easy? Did you have any issues right off the bat? Or did it simply just work?
Second, test the how easy it is to configure your first backup. How long did it take you to figure out how to select files and folders? Was the interface easy to navigate?
Third, monitor the speed. How fast were you able to backup your initial backup (these normally take a couple of days depending on files size)?
Fourth, test how easy it is to retrieve files. How easy was it to restore files from the web? How about using the software? Can you get the functionality out of syncing across multiple devices that you want?
Fifth, ensure features live up to expectations. Does scheduling work well? How about collaboration? Can you share files with the people you want to?
Sixth, conclude results. If you were dead set on one company before you started but they have performed badly, don't waste your time and money giving them the benefit of the doubt. Testing companies is the sure-fire way to know what you need and cutout the riffraff.

Conclusion

Essentially what we have taught you in this guide are the most effective ways to pick a backup company. Since we have used backup companies for years, our guides are written from experience.

How To Create A Comprehensive Backup Solution

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:11:00 -0500

There are a lot of different backup solutions out there, how do you make them work together for the best workflow? The good news is there are these different options, the bad news is they can be very confusing. When you have local files, external hard drives and online backup to deal with, it becomes overwhelming.

We have written this guide to help you take advantage of these different options. For each type of online backup in this guide there are several choices depending on your situation. We'll focus on the choices for individuals (single computer) and home (multiple computers) users to cover most common backup scenarios. Our comprehensive guide walks through organizing your data, selecting backup, and backing up online.

1. Organize Your Data

Keep data in an organized file structure. Store your files by type. For instance, keep video files together. Then, in subfolders you can break it down by event, date, or whatever you feel is relevant. Both individuals and home users will benefit from keeping files organized.

Having all of these files stored in an organized system helps select which of them need to be backed up. Knowing exactly which files you are going to backup simplifies the process and ensures all of your data is safe.

Sort our extraneous files. Once you have your files organized, choosing which of them stays or goes will be much easier. To keep the example of videos going, lets say you have videos that you know you don't need. Divide these files up into backed up and non-backed up folders.

You'll be shocked, when it comes time to import your new video files, your organized file structure will make backing up so much easier.

2. Backing Up To External Drive

Pick an external drive that is right for you. For individuals an external drive that is exactly as big as your computer hard drive is perfect (For instance a 500GB external drive for a 500GB hard drive on your computer). You can simply back up everything using software like Apple's Time Machine. This program allows you to restore individual files as well as restore entire systems with user preferences.

If you have more than one user, which means lots of data to backup, having your file organization in place will save you tons of space. Say overall you have around 3TB's of data and 1TB hard drive to use as backup. It's going to be crucial that you have a system in place like we talked about in the previous step.

Use good software. Backups are much easier to keep up with when you have an automated software solution. Like previously mentioned, Apple's Time Machine is a go-to solution for individuals because it backs up everything automatically. If you have a structured backup plan, software will allow you to select the files you have set aside as important to backup.

A less common alternative for home users is using a consumer version NAS (network attached storage). A solution like WD My Book Live Server. It comes with one hard drive on a network that can backup 3TB's of data. It comes with software that will help you schedule your backups for all of your computers.

3. Backing Up To The Cloud

Once again, your organized file structure from step one will make online backup easy. How you store your data locally will be reflected in what you backup online. Good organization cuts down clutter and saves server space. When you start your initial backup, it will go much quicker.

Individuals can get backup for one computer starting around $4.95/Month using a company like MyPC Backup. Their plan comes unlimited backup space, automatic and scheduled backup.

Home and families users can addon services to MyPC Backup to include a sync folder or add more computers to a plan. This way an entire household can backup important documents and files.

Automate your online backup. Backing up data regularly protects you from losing important files. These next few tips will highlight which features will help you automate your backup.

Individuals with a computer full of important data can rely on one tool in particular. This is the automatic backup feature. After the initial backup runs you want to run the backup in as short of intervals as possible. If the software has a way to schedule the backups, you can run them weekly, daily or even hourly. This reduces the time it will take to transfer data because you will be backing up less data more often.

Home users will find it more important than individuals to keep backup's small. There are two ways you can do this.

The first is by using a tool that excludes files types. If your family has a lot of digital movies downloaded you can redownload in a crunch (from iTunes for example), why back them up? Instead, exclude their file type (.mp4 for example).
The second way is to use a tool that imposes a file size limit on backups. This only allows files under a certain size to be backed up. Many documents including Microsoft Office documents are less than 30MB's. So you could set up file size limits to reduce transfer time. Both of these methods reduce the load per backup.

Conclusion

If you follow this guide, your backup experience will be much better. Below you will find more resources you can use to even further your.

Backup Solutions Explained

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 02:47:00 -0500

With so much of our lives stored on our computers, data back up has become increasingly important. There are several common used methods to protect and back up your data. They are External Drives, Flash Drives, Online Backup, Network Drives, and other backup devices.

External Drives

External drives plug directly into your computer through USB. The direct connection makes setup easy and file transfers quick. External drives can have large storage space 500GB to 2TB and quick USB connection makes them perfect for backing up entire computers.

Prices range between $80 for 1TB and $120 for 2TB's. In addition to the hardware, companies provide backup software to help you schedule and automate the process.

One important factor to consider is if the external drive requires a power supply. Some can run off USB power while others need an AC adapter. A drive with out an AC adapter is nice because it is more portable but it may not run as fast or require two USB ports.

In general, external drives complete backup jobs faster than online storage and slower than flash drives.

Pros:

Relatively inexpensive(16.7GB's per dollar based on the 2TB hard drive)
Easy Setup
Large amount of storage
Fast file Backup and file restore.

Cons:

No off-site protection
Not ultra portable like flash drives or DVD's
Can be lost or stolen.

Flash Drives

Flash or Thumb drives are small devices that use solid state memory for storage. They plug directly into your computer's USB port. Sizes and prices range between 2GB for $5 and 32GB's cost around $30.

Flash drives are one of the most convenient forms of backup because they are small, fast, and do not require a power supply. The downside is they are not very large compared to hard drives.

The strength of flash drives is that they are small, convenient, quick, not very expensive and can easily be given to customers or friends. They are often used as a quick transport of files from one computer to another.

Pros:

Easy to use
Very portable
Quick file transfer
No power supply required.
Inexpensive $5 to $45

Cons:

Expensive price per GB (1.06GB's per dollar based on the 32GB flash drive),
Easy to lose
Not automated
Not as much space as hard drive.

Online Backup

Backup companies use cloud or redundant servers to securely store your data. This means if one server fails another server is ready to take over. Plans range in cost from $4.95 to $50 per month, depending on the amount of storage used.

Online backup is perfect for storing data offsite. If there is a natural disaster robbery, or fire then your data is safe because is physically located in another part of the world.

Online backup companies provide downloadable software that installs on your computer and then backs up your data automatically and on a schedule. It can truly be a set it and forget it setup.

The downside to online backup is that it is slower than external drive or flash drive backup. This is due to the fact that your data has to be transferred across the internet, which is a slow process. It should be noted that after the initial backup the subsequent backups are much faster.

Many of these companies have incorporated file syncing so you can share files with others. This is accomplished by social sharing features in Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites.

Pros:

Data is stored safely offsite
No limit to the amount of data that can be backed up
Sync files to other people computers
No hardware to fail your you to maintain

Cons:

Slows initial backup
A third party is storying your data
Monthly cost.

Network Drives

Network Drives or Network Attached Storage (NAS) are external drives, but instead of connecting to your computer via USB they are connected to your network via network cable. Data on these drives accessible to the entire network. Prices start around $400 for 4TB configuration and can go into the thousands of dollars.

One of the biggest strengths of NAS is that they turn several drives into one big drive using a RAID configuration. RAIDs provide failsafe protection so that if one hard drive fails the data is safe because the information is stored across all drives. The other drive can recreated the data on the broken drive.

Network attached drives make it easy for multiple computers to share data when on the same network. Common uses for network drives are shared file systems, home theater setups that stream movie and audio files and gaming centers. Network drives typically have software to automate backups and file sharing.

Pros:

Perfect for backing up networked computers
Secure RAID disk configuration
Reasonable price per GB (around 10GB per dollar based on the 4TB NAS)

Cons:

Setup and maintenance requires technical expertise
Expensive price at $400
No off-site protection.

Other Backup Methods

You can also use devices like CD/DVD burns for backup. They are great for making copies and sending to others ad a very low cost. Prices start at a few cents per DVD.

The downside is they don't hold very much data and they can be broken easily. CD/DVD are not considered an long term storage solution and have high failure rates.

Pros:

Easy to use
Portable
Low cost

Cons:

Easily lost or stolen
Easily damaged

IDrive Review: Very Happy with iDrive

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:00:00 -0500

I have been with iDrive for about a year and have enjoyed being a customer. The software was easy to install and set up my first backup job. After that it has been smooth sailing. I have needed to restore a couple of files and all worked well. The price might be a little higher than other companies but the customer support and assurance that my files are safe make it money well spent. Hope this helps!

11 Questions with IDrive

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:00:00 -0500

Today we are talking with Shane Bingham about IDrive. Shane is a Business Development Associate with IDrive in their office in Calabasas, California.

We asked him some questions to learn a little bit more about IDrive.

Q: Can you tell us about the history of IDrive? It has been around a long time, what was the vision for IDrive when it was started?

Bingham: IDrive was launched in 2007 as a separate service - our earlier service, IBackup, was launched way back in 1999. When we first released the product, our goal was to demystify the act of backing up critical data, and make it easy for everyone to secure their most precious files.

What’s a typical day like at IDrive? What’s the corporate culture like there?

Bingham: It’s a very fun place to work, in my opinion. We work hard every day to deliver the best possible service for our users, but still make time to enjoy ourselves. Occasionally you’ll hear a nerf battle raging in the support department, or see the development team coming back into the office after playing cricket.

About how many people work at IDrive?

Bingham: Our headquarters in sunny Calabasas boasts a little over 40 employees, with about 100 more in our sister office in India.

How has the industry changed since IDrive started? How has IDrive embraced the evolution of online backup?

Bingham: The biggest change has been the explosion of smartphones. Back when IDrive launched, the first iPhone was still cooking in Cupertino, and Blackberries were something only businesspeople were interested in. Now, everyone and their grandmother has a phone that can take pictures, shoot video, and much much more. So it’s become important to us to be a truly universal service. We let users back up their data from any device to a single account, so they can easily access it from anywhere. It’s turning into a post-platform world, and users expect their data to be with them at all times. IDrive does that for them.

What makes IDrive stand out from other online backup companies?

Bingham: Many other online services off “unlimited” pricing plans. I use the finger quotes there because they either restrict the number of devices you can connect (often to only one) or they throttle your bandwidth if you’re uploading more data than they’d like you to.

With IDrive, you choose a plan based on how much space you need, and then you can connect all of your devices to that one account. Our tests have shown us to have about a 30% advantage in performance with the competition, being able to both upload and restore files faster than other services. We also offer some unique features, such as the ability to remotely manage your backup set and schedule, by using our robust web interface.

What are some of the features IDrive offers? What sort of features does it come with?

Bingham: IDrive offers users the opportunity to back up data from an unlimited number of devices, across multiple platforms. Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices can all be connected to the same IDrive account, and made accessible from anywhere.

People are trusting IDrive with their data. What security measures are in place to protect their data?

Bingham: Users data is encrypted with 256-bit AES encryption, widely considered one of the best methods of encryption available. It’s even been approved by the Pentagon for the encryption of “TOP SECRET” data. Users have the option when creating their account to choose a private encryption key, that’s known only to them. That means even we won’t have access to a user’s data.

About how many customers do you have? How much total space is used every month in online backups?

Bingham: Across the IDrive brand, we have over 2 million users, and store 30 Petabytes of data, stored across four world-class data centers. More servers are being added almost every day!

Any new plans or features you can share with us?

Bingham: We just launched a full redesign of the IDrive service, including web, desktop and mobile apps. The redesigns include better UI based on html5, better integrated desktop experience, and better mobile experience. We are about to add a lot more to the Apps gallery that use the publicly available APIs to access the storage.

What is something interesting most people do not know about IDrive?

Bingham: IDrive is one of the few services that offers APIs to access their encrypted data. We use these APIs ourselves to build the desktop and mobile products. We are opening them more to the public, to see what kind of applications the developer community can come up with.

Anything else you would like to add?

Bingham: There are a lot of cloud backup providers out there, and we understand choosing one can be daunting - that’s why our goal is to make finding the right plan as easy as possible - tell us how much space you need, and we’ll match you with the plan for you. All of our features are available to every user, no matter what plan they have.

Thanks Shane for your time. We look forward to hearing more about IDrive in the future.

2013 Trends In Online Backup

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:59:00 -0500

Backing up your files is a popular concept that is only going to continue to grow. It intermingles the convenience of retrieving data on any device, anywhere in the world with the security of cloud storage.

With the growth of mobility with our devices, the importance and role of cloud backup is accelerating at an astounding pace. Some of these trends have brought us ways to keep your photos and videos safe at no cost, ways for you to collaborate documents over the cloud, and there are new ways of mastering the redundant deduplication environment.

Here is our list of the most important trends in 2013

1. The Move To Cloud Storage

Overall in 2013 the biggest trend we are seeing is the embracing of 'Cloud' technology. Companies like SugarSync, has redesigned their application to take on the growth of cloud backup.

Everything is stored in this imaginary cloud, but what is it really? The Cloud is simply the name for a network of connected computers, or, in this case, servers. These servers house our precious memories, important documents, and favorite music.

That's just at the consumer level. When it comes to businesses there are many new, innovative features to look out for like collaborative work spaces and increased security.

If there was any debate whether or not cloud storage was going to stay or go, we are predicting it's here to stay.

2. Media Storage On The Fly

Is 2013 the end of storing media on your own computer? These are pictures I took with my iPhone camera, the next thing I knew, they were uploaded to Google+ Instant Upload. It's almost to the point where you can store ALL of your images using social networks, but should you store them there?

Pros:

You can retrieve the full resolution image
No thinking, just do what you do
Edit images (very basic editing)

Cons:

Privacy issues (according to this post)
Would not trust it 100% as a backup for important photos

There are several social networks that will gladly take your photos for free. Facebook and Google+ are the big two.

A good alternative to storing media on social networks are companies like MyPC Backup, JustCloud, SugarSync, Dropbox, etc... In the future these companies will make sharing photos to social networks seamless and without the fear of privacy breaches or unwanted access to your private photos. Smartphone online backup guide.

In 2013, storing media on social networks and apps will be so integrated with our devices, it will become less necessary to include large image, video or music files when you are looking to back up your personal computer. If you choose to let social networks backup your media, you will only have to worry about backing up your other essential files. Files like word documents, excel sheets, private media, etc... take up less space and will cost less to store.

3. Out-Of-The-Box Personal Cloud

Transporter is probably the coolest device I've heard about for cloud storage in the past year or so. It was funded by a Kickstarter project which gained traction and ended up making almost TRIPLE it's projected budget.

So what's so cool about this little guy? The transporter is a personal cloud you set up and control. You buy one for your home, office or wherever, and you're all connected to the same cloud. When a file is stored on Transporter, it automatically syncs to the other connected devices.

You can expand your cloud network at your own pace. Simply invite others to join in your cloud and all your data is shared inside this private network.

Pros

Files are kept local for quick retrieval
Secure network that you own and control
Easy to share with new users

Cons

No RAID configuration or built in redundancy
You can only rely on yourself to ensure the data is safe

This new idea about managing your cloud is cool, but will it stand the test of time? In 2013 and beyond, we will find out. Some people will find it very useful to have a drive that is local and part of a cloud. Others will find it just as easy to use an external harddrive along side of a backup company like IDrive.

4. Cloud Collaboration Continues To Improve

Box is a collaborative cloud interface that allows you to work on documents with an internal user base. It is meant for businesses who work on data in groups. It keeps all of the versions of your files and gives you tools to share, comment and edit within your work group. Cloud collaboration guide.

Google Docs (Now called Google Drive) has been around for a long time now. It's interface improves with age, features become better and security is more reliable. It does not have same functionality or features of Microsoft Office, but it's got more than enough to satisfy the casual user.

In 2013, more and more people will be using these systems for working on projects. Even Evernote, which is known for it's personal note taking abilities, has opened the door to collaboration in their business version.

5. Employees Can Work From Anywhere

With so many WIFI spots now, it's always possible to get a connection to your work. Whether you're at the airport, a coffee shop or in bed, you can always connect to your work documents.

In 2013, expect to see an increase in employers buying their employees laptops for traveling and telecommuting. This is because working within the cloud will be much easier and small businesses will start to budget for collaborative cloud work space.

Encryption of data is expected to get better and better. Like IDrive's announcement that they have made an "Unbreakable" private key encryption with cloud storage and sync. This makes it much safer for employees who travel and use unknown WIFI for backing up.

Laptops like Chromebooks, utilize the cloud for all of it's operations. Everything you use on the computer is stored in your "Drive". I would not be surprised if we saw cloud-only laptop implementation like this more in 2013 (or later) from competitors like Apple.

6. New Technology

There are many improvements in cloud computing that have been implemented slowly in the past few years that will continue to grow in 2013. This means the old methods of backing up data will be less and less relevant.

The biggest fight is between disk drives and tape storage. For long term backups, tapes have been used because they offer more surface volume per inch than current disk drives, however they are slow and inefficient. In the next couple years we will see drives from Seagate around 5Tbits per square inch in 2015-2016. In 2013 we will probably not see a change of methodology in long term storage, but an increase in redundant servers. Redundant servers are part of an array of servers that are used to safeguard against drive failures. Need more info?

Deduplication is a popular, growing type of software that searches for duplicated files and automatically only stores one copy. This removes unnecessary duplications which saves space.

Lastly, Solid State Drives will replace disk drive when they become efficient enough to use. Right now, they do not hold enough space for their cost, but their speed is much faster than disk drives. I'm sure some backup companies will offer Solid State Drives as a premium option, but it will not be standard for a while.

Online Backup Search Announces Redesigned Responsive Website

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:08:00 -0600

Atlanta, Ga - February 28, 2013

Online Backup Search is pleased to announce the next step in its evolution: the redesign of http://onlinebackupsearch.com. This redesign optimizes the website for browsing on tablets and smartphones. As part of the redesign, Online Backup Search improved the functionality of the homepage, restructured the main menu system, and added a tabbed content area to the listing pages.

Online Backup Search improved the look and feel of the homepage by changing the template and adapting a responsive layout. The website now keeps its aesthetic while being viewed on screens of all sizes. In addition, it is now more structured and simple to navigate. Online Backup Search includes a listing of the best backup companies, a note from the editor, an overview of the types of backup, and links to the best backup deals.

Navigating the new menu system is simplified. It was restructured to read better at all screen sizes with adaptable font sizes and easy to see colors. The new dropline menu gives the viewer a row of subcategories to choose from while within one of the prime categories.

Tabbed viewing is one of the newest elements. Viewers can scan characteristics of a backup company through the tabs. Page clutter and scrolling is reduced. The tabs include Reviews, Features, Company Details, Images, and Coupons.

Steven Johnson, site redesign coordinator, explained, “Our updates to Online Backup Search have made the site easier to use than ever before. We implemented the responsive Gantry Framework which includes HTML5 and Twitter Bootstrap. Responsive means the website dynamically reacts to your screen size. Using Twitter’s Bootstrap allows us to standardize more of the code to work seamlessly across all pages. We are very excited about the redesign and can’t wait for everyone to try it.”

A couple weeks ago Intown Web Design announced their site JoomlaHosting.com was redesigned. They have been working to update all of their websites to responsive layouts.

About Online Backup Search -- Online Backup Search, established in 2010, is owned and managed by Intown Web Design of Atlanta, GA. The site was created as a place for online backup users to post reviews and learn about the best online backup companies. It is a website that helps to the online backup community.

About Intown Web Design -- Intown Web Design, located in Atlanta, Ga, is a web design and development firm with a focus on creating functional websites for business. Clients range from startups to corporations traded on the NYSE. Founded in 2007, with a specialty in open source technologies including PHP, WordPress and WordPress. They have continued to expand their expertise into improving site performance, usability and search engine rankings.

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New ZipCloud Mobile App Overview Released By Online Backup Search

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:42:00 -0600

Atlanta, Ga - November 27, 2012

Online Backup Search (http://onlinebackupsearch.com) is proud to release their latest guide that goes over the new ZipCloud mobile app. The new mobile app was released by ZipCloud earlier this fall. The overview by Online Backup Search covers the app's device viewer, sync folder, upload options, media files and the app's settings.

First the guide goes into the home screen and what people see when they first open the ZipCloud app. On this screen, people can see files on each of their ZipCloud connected devices. Under the phone overview, people can enable automatic photo backup.

Next, in the Sync Folder screen, people can see files that are shared among all ZipCloud computers via the Sync Folder.

The upload options covered by the guide helps users Create a text file, draw using doodle software, record voice memos, upload existing media, and take a picture from within the app.

In the media section the mobile app has 3 folders: My Photos, My Videos, and My Music. Each is a shortcut to all files of that type.

Lastly, the ZipCloud settings screen has a couple of settings that the online backup search guide goes over.

David Blane, site administrator, said, "ZipCloud has been on our radar for a while now. This is their first mobile app release and we think it works great. It's clean and easy to use. The biggest feature for me is the automatic picture backup."

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ZipCloud Mobile App Overview

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:31:00 -0600

ZipCloud is one of the fastest growing online backup providers. They provide excellent personal and business plans.

Up until recently ZipCloud has been lacking a proper mobile app for your smart phone. You could user their website on your phone, but it lacked the functionality of other cloud backup apps. Now they have an app that will run on your iOS, Android and Blackberry devices.

For this article we'll be using the iPhone 4s.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Automatic photo backup to ZipCloud from phone
Start remote computer backups from your phone
Clean and easy to use interface
Take picture directly in the app
Doodle app included

Cons

Only 1GB of sync folder space

Home Screen

This is the main screen that you see when the ZipCloud app is launched. From here you can manage each of your devices connected to your ZipCloud account and navigate through the backed up items. Simply select one of the devices to look at the backed up files.

If you select the iPhone you have the options to enable Photo backup and whether you want ZipCloud to backup over just Wifi or both Wifi and Data. On your computer's overview you will see backup details, recently added files, and you have the ability to start a remote backup from your phone.

Sync Folder

Using the sync folder is a folder that syncs files over multiple devices synonymously. This is different than your backups because this particular folder will have exactly the same files on each of your devices. It's commonly used to sync highly used files across computers in different locations.

Uploading Files

With ZipCloud you have the option to upload files directly from your iPhone. Each features uploads files into the sync folder. You can then retrieve the file from ZipCloud's software or website.

Upload Options:

Create a text file
Draw a doodle
Record a voice memo
Upload existing media
Take a picture

Doodler

Doodler is new to any online backup software that we have ever heard of. ZipCloud included it as part of the 'Upload' options. It's uses are purely for enjoyment of drawing with your fingers. It's very reminiscent of games like 'Draw Something' for iPhone.

Media

On the Media tab you can easily find photos, videos, or music on your ZipCloud account. After photos are backed up, for example, you can browse through them here. Like the subtext says above, it's a "Shortcut to all photos".

It is cool that if you have a CD or TV episode to watch, you can easily browse to it and start watching right from the phone.

Settings

Get all of your ZipCloud account stats here. You can see how much space is used. The settings area helps users manage the tools that ZipCloud comes with.

Settings Options:

Upload Quality (photo and video)
Passlock
Clear Cache
Facebook Connect
Support
Send FeedBackup
Submit Diagnostic Data

Conclusion

After reviewing lots of different apps for the iPhone. It's easy to say that ZipCloud has one of the best. The interface is beautiful and it's very easy to use. It has all of the right options (automatic photo backup, accessing other device backups, syncing files uploaded from the device, and taking photos from within the app). We are excited to use this app a lot in the future. It seems like ZipCloud has come a long way and will continue to grow.

MyPC Backup Review: MyPCBackup, you can get it through me :)

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 02:54:00 -0600

Please click this link above to get started today! It is a great way of keeping your computer safe. Thanks to all of you who do click the link above! I promise it's worth it! To prove it try it today and find out then upgrade, you won't be sorry!!

Online Backup Search Announces New Guide Entitled, "5 Cloud Backup Optimization ...

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:02:00 -0600

Atlanta, Ga - November 13th, 2012

Online Backup Search (http://onlinebackupsearch.com) released their new article outlining five tips that help people optimize their cloud backups. The editors of Online Backup Search tips are to improve the upload speed and reduce backup times. The tips covered are: prioritize your backup, upload by type and size, schedule backups, folder selection, and backup regularly.

The guide first covers backup priority. It explains that it's important for people to plan out their backups according to which files are most important. Uploading important data first will make it safe sooner. Then move onto less important files for backup.

The next tip is to upload by type and size. According to the guide, media files like movies, photos and music can take a long time to upload. It explains that some backup software has the ability to filter out file types or size. If set up to filter out large file types for the first few backups, the backups will go much quicker.

Scheduling backups is the next tip. The editors point out in this tip that you can upload much quicker on nights and weekends then during the day because less people are using the internet.

The guide then recommends that people double check their folder selection to make sure none of the wrong files get added to the backup queue by mistake. The guide says, "...what if you have 30 GB's of TV shows or movies in there? That will take forever."

The last tip is to backup regularly. The guide points out the more frequently people backup, the less time new files or changes will have to build up the total size of the backup. The smaller the total backup's size is, the quicker it will upload.

Steven Johnson, Senior Editor, said, "The first backup always takes a while. People should plan to back up important files first. This reduces the load of the first backup and gets your files safe, quickly. Hopefully with these simple tips, people will be able to save more files in the long run by backup up faster." (Online Backup Search releases 5 awesome backup tips)

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5 Cloud Backup Optimization Tips

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:22:00 -0600

Since you are looking at this article, it's safe to assume that you know backing up files to the cloud can take a while. In some cases, weeks! This is probably not exactly what you had in mind when you signed up with an online backup company. This guide will help.

The Problem

The good and bad news is that it always takes a while to back up. Especially the first time. This is true on most internet providers because upload speeds are significantly less fast than download speeds.

The Solution

That being said, here are a few tips to improve the speed you can upload your files and still feel protected.

1. Prioritize Your Backup

Think about which files which are most important. Which of them are crucial to you? They could be anything from family photos, tax documents, to other types of sensitive documents. Make a plan that gets your important files safe first. Then get the rest of your files uploaded in groups. Some times it takes 3-4 backups before you get everything.

2. Upload By Type / File Size

If you can, upload videos and music last. HD videos are especially large files that take a lot longer to upload than a text document, for example. Pictures can even be rather large. Photographers and filmmakers will consistently have to wait long periods of time to backup using online services because of their media's large file size. Some companies like JustCloud have a file size limit option. This filters out the large files until you are ready to upload them and can help tremendously speed up the first backup.

3. Schedule Backups

Many of the online backups services will come with a way to schedule backups. This way you can schedule the backup for when no one is using the computer or internet. A weekend or middle of the night is a perfect time to get the first set of files backed up.

4. Folder Selection

Pay attention to what you are backing up. It may not all be necessary. For instance, many backup companies will select the Documents folder by default. This is nice, but what if you have 30 GB's of TV shows or movies in there? That will take forever. Go through each folder and make sure it matches your plan and includes only the smallest, most important files first.

5. Backup Regularly

If you can schedule backups regularly you will keep your queued files from getting, well, backed up. Excuse the pun. After your first few prioritized backups, backing up regularly helps keep them quick. The more frequently people backup, the less time new files or changes will have to build up in size. The smaller in size the backup is, the quicker it will be to backup.

Recommendation

One company we have used that has scheduling and a file type limiter built in is JustCloud. They make a well rounded online backup solution. It works pretty well and you can read our review here.

Conclusion

Like previously mentioned, most first uploads take a while. That being said, if you follow tips you will see an improvement in speed and save yourself any headaches lost data would have caused. If you have any other tips or want to share your thoughts about this guide let us know what you think on twitter @backupsearch.

Other Cloud Backup Resources

Online Backup Search Announces Their Best Smartphone Backup Guide

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:01:00 -0500

Atlanta, Ga - November 6th 2012

Online Backup Search (http://onlinebackupsearch.com) has released their latest guide entitled "Best Smartphone Online Backup". Online Backup Search writes guides and provides knowledge about the online backup industry to help people. This newest guide helps people find the best smartphone app for backing up files.

The guide first mentions that a majority of the cell phone users in the world are using smartphones. It talks about the importance smartphones play in our everyday lives. After explaining the significance of the smartphones in the world today, the guide asks the question, “What happens when it (the phone) breaks or gets lost?”

The next section talks about several options in online backup for smartphones. It talks about the common items used on a smartphone that would be lost. The items listed were contacts, documents, photos, music and other data.

Some of the apps that were mentioned were IDrive, SugarSync, Dropbox and iCloud. The editors at Online Backup Search kept the choices simple, picking the best choices for people.

Editor David Blane said, “I am constantly looking for a better and more efficient iPhone app to keep my files safe. iCloud does a good job, but I don’t want my photo stream to hog all of my storage space. I have been using IDrive and SugarSync to backup photos, but Dropbox may a good way to go because of the auto-sync function it has with photo stream.”

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Best Smartphone Online Backup

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:23:00 -0500

Everyone uses smart phones. It's they have been around for only several years, but they are one of the fastest growing tech industries. In September 2012 it was reported that for the first time ever, over 1 billion people now use smart phones*. That's crazy!

This means more and more people are using smart phones and the number will continue to grow. Smart phones like the iPhone are where a lot of people store their pictures, movies, videos, contacts, emails and other important information. What happens when it breaks or gets lost? If you forgot to sync it with your computer or don't regularly backup, you, my friend are SOL.

Best Mobile Backup

We have created a list of companies that provide online backup for smart phones. Most likely you are looking to backup contacts, documents, music, photos and videos. These services will get most or all of those items backed up.

IDrive Lite

You can install the IDrive Lite app from any of the supported app stores. It supports iPhone, Android and Blackberry. It backs up your contacts and allows you to restore them at any time. You can also download the IDrive Photo app from the app store to backup your Photos. Both are accounts are manageable through the IDrivelite mobile website.

IDrive Lite | Review

iCloud

iCloud is probably the easiest way to back up your iPhone since it's built in to it. You get 5GB's for free, so you probably won't be able to store all of your images and videos there without upgrading. It is very convenient being able to sync Notes, Safari data, Reminders, Calenders, Contacts, Passbook info, photo streams, Documents & Data, and use the Find My iPhone app.

Using iCloud requires a enabled Apple product.

SugarSync

Keep your data by syncing it to the cloud. You can upload photos and create text documents using SugarSync. It does not handle documents like PDF's that exist on the iPhone but it can read documents and allow you to transfer them to the iPhone. But, say you get a PDF in an email you cannot upload it to SugarSync. That being said, SugarSync has a great photo feature that allows you to take photos right from within the program and uploads directly to the cloud.

Visit SugarSync | Review

Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud storage solution that doubles as online backup. You can sync all of your files between multiple devices using the Dropbox. With Dropbox you can Sync your iPhone photos with it, upload documents from emails, and download any existing files in your Dropbox folder.

Visit Dropbox | Review

Phone Backup Resources

Sources
*http://thenextweb.com/mobile/2012/10/17/global-smartphone-users-pass-1-billion-for-the-first-time-report/

Reasons To Backup To The Cloud

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:04:00 -0500

You probably keep hearing about this 'Cloud'. What is it?

Cloud computing is a term that refers to data begin stored online so that it can be accessed from any device that is connected. This may answer your questions enough to understand why people like using it. Otherwise read along to see our reasons.

1. Security

You can easily make sure a file is safe by copying it to the cloud. Since it's stored off location, it isn't connected to any problems your computer might have.

2. Accessibility

It's really easy to get data that is on the cloud. That's because many services have ways for you to get files from any connected devices. Also they provide website access to your files.

3. Easy to share

Not only can you connect multiple devices but it's usually very easy to share with other people. Most cloud syncing providers make it easy to set up an account and share with your friends via email or public link.

4. Version history

Most, if not all, cloud storage companies have a way to view previous versions of files that you save to the cloud. That means while you have 10+ iterations of a work document, you can find the one with the correct information in it from an older version.

5. Scheduled backup

Backing up manually takes a while. Most cloud backup can be done automatically or with a scheduled option. This makes backing up much easier for everyone.

Other reasons

If you were wondering if you should use a backup storage company, you should. It makes sense. Right now there is a ton of competition in the industry and they come out with new features all the time. We definitely recommend finding a company. Before you do, make sure to read our reviews.

External Drive Or Online Backup?

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:44:00 -0500

When each is better and why…

First lets talk about why you need to backup your files in general. We can all agree that being safe is better than being sorry later. Backing up files is a prevention method that reduces the stress and inconvenience of losing important data.

External Hard Drives

Often when you buy a new computer or get one repaired, the technician will recommend you buy an external drive to backup all of your data. Seems like the sales guy may be pushing something that you don't need.

The truth is external drives that are set to backup your computers hard drives can save you a lot of time. I can think back to when the hard drive failed on my iMac and if I had not had the external backup, I would have lost 300GB's of personal settings, important documents and pictures.

It can not be expressed enough, that while most people feel safe and secure, you never know when you will need to completely restore your computer.

Situations where external hard drives are better

Computer main hard drive failure
Accidental folder deleting
Restoring user settings
Quick backup without internet

Online Backup

The most popular reason to back up online (and why it makes the most sense) is because files are stored in a different location from your computer altogether.

Online storage takes the likelihood of data loss and pushes it close to 0%. Why?

Files are stored in highly secured datacenters
Sometimes in multiple datacenters (Geo-redundancy)
Encryption keeps out hackers which eliminates identity theft
Not even the online backup companies have access to your access files (you create the password and it stays out of their reach)

Situations where online backup works better:

Electrical shorts - Power surges
Break-ins (take both computer and hard drive)
Fires
Damage from moving components
Over time all hard drives fail, servers constantly change out hard drives

So, Which Is Better?

Well, in truth, you should do both.

While online backup can save all of your precious pictures, important documents, and financial spreadsheets, not all companies offer to store your user preferences or desktop settings.

External hard drive software usually has a way to mirror the exact file structure of your computer and should the computer go down, you can restore the computer to it's exact state.

Also, while you can get your files any time with online backup, it takes an internet connection and slower transfer speeds than external drives.

These are just a couple reasons. Our recommendation is to use both. You will be glad you have your files safe and backed up. It never hurts to be prepared.

5 Tips For Protecting Digital Photos

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:38:00 -0500

In the past few years all most ALL photographs that we take are with a smart phone or a digital camera. So, how do you keep these pictures safe?

1. Have A Process

Lets say you just took 100 pictures at a high school graduation. What's your plan to keep those pictures protected? Develop a process to keep track of your images as soon as they are taken, when they are transferred to a computer, and when they're backed up. For me, I sync my iPhone every couple of days, the Time Machine backs up my pictures externally then I upload all of my pictures to either SugarSync or ZipCloud.

2. Copy Images Off Your Camera/Cards

Some people lose pictures by forgetting where they are stored. Once you shoot for a day (or whatever interval fits your lifestyle) copy the images to your computer. Delete images on the card and let the computer and online backup software keep the files safe. By taking the time to transferring then deleting images off of your card you to reuse without worry of overwriting old pictures.

3. Set Smart Phone To Copy Images To Computer Or Cloud

How does your smart phone protects your images? For iPhone you can sync with iCloud/iTunes and with Android you can use Google Drive. Both of these apps sync the photos with any device connected to the cloud. Phone apps like SugarSync and IDriveSync let you upload photos from within the app itself, making an instant backup.

4. Keep Images Organized

Keep all of your photos in one folder. Organize this folder by subject, date, location, event, etc… Whatever method works best for you. Now when you backup your images, you only have to select one folder to protect all of your images. Plus, you will know exactly where all of the images are.

5. Backup Images To The Cloud

Like previously mentioned. You will want to keep files with a cloud syncing or online backup service. Cloud syncing makes it easy to access files from anywhere using any device (SugarSync for example). Online backup takes all of your stored data and backs it up securely (Better for large amounts of pictures. IDrive for example).

6. Keep A Second Copy

External hard drives are great for this. Make sure you have a program that will automatically back up your photos to an external hard drive. This allows for easy retrieval should you need them. By adding an external hard drive you now have 2 copies, 1 copy on your personal computer and one copy on the external hard drive.

Conclusion

With your photos backed up in 3 places (Your main computer, the external hard drive, and the cloud) you can rest assured that you will never loose your pictures.

Online Backup Search Releases 5 Awesome Tips For Online Backup

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:01:00 -0500

Atlanta, Ga August 30th, 2012

Online Backup Search (http://onlinebackupsearch.com) has released their latest article entitled "5 Awesome Tips For Online Backup". Online Backup Search helps consumers find the best company for online backup by reviewing companies and writing advice articles. This latest article helps customers who are not familiar to online backup learn information that is helpful to them.

The article jumps straight into the advice listing the first tip which is "Go With A Well Known Company". This tip talks about how to recognize an online backup company with a good reputation. At the end of the tip the article has three company suggestions that it says are good companies.

The other four tips talk about simplicity, features, mobility, and security. The article is written in a way that reaches people who are not familiar to computer technology by sticking with the basics. Saying things like, "Having access to your files from a phone or tablet makes all the difference in the world" helps customers understand the need for smart phone access without going into the technical side of the necessity.

Steven Johnson, Site Administrator, said, "We're trying to reach more people. It's good knowing that what we do helps a majority of consumers who will purchase this type of service in the future."

5 Awesome Tips For Online Backup

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 21:12:00 -0500

Through our years of reviewing Online Backup Companies we have discovered what makes a backup company great.

Here are our Top Tips for selecting an Online Backup company:

1. Go with a Well Known Company

Go with an established company that friends have talked about. Companies who have worked hard to become a household name are going to stand behind their product, their reputation and success depend on it. You don't want to risk your files with a company that might be shady or disappear in a few months.

Good Companies

Carbonite • Mozy • MyPC Backup

2. Easy To Use

Make sure the backup and restore process is easy to understand and execute. A good company will walk you through the first backup immediately after install. The application should be easy to access and the screens simple with a clean interface.The program should also run in the background and not slow down your computer.

3. Features Rich

Features to look for include: Customizable Scheduling, Bandwidth Throttling, File Type Exclusion, Mobile Access, File Sharing, Max file upload size, File Versioning. These feature will make working with backups a more enjoyable experience.

4. Mobile Apps

Having access to your files from a phone or tablet makes all the difference in the world. Mobile access allows you to send pictures to friends or share business documents. When looking at backup companies make sure your device is supported. Most companies support Apple and Android devices.

5. Security

Security means your files are going to be safe on the company's servers. Companies use techniques like encryption and redundancy to protect your files. Encryption codes your files so no one can see them. Redundancy means your files are stored safely in multiple locations in the event one group of servers fail.

What Else?... Read more!

Online Backup Search New Channel Announcement

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:40:00 -0500

	Online Backup Search New Channel Announcement We are excited to start using YouTube to share our expert reviews & information of Online Backup Companies. Subscribe to us for updates on Online Backup Info...	From: onlinebackupsearch Views: 72 0 ratings
	Time: 00:47	More in People & Blogs

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Online Backup Search Announces New Guide Entitled, "5 Cloud Backup Optimization ...

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2. Upload By Type / File Size

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