The Big Three For Backing Up Your Computer Work

 

A new year is here, and there is no better time to start new computer backup practices to save your hard work.

And if you've been hanging around this blog you know I'm super focused redunant backups systems. Why? Because failures do happen. 

So what are my Big Three backup solutions?

LOCAL

EDH's

OFF SITE

1) Local means backing up in backup software on your computer.  However, if you have a hard drive (HD) crash or system failure, you may be out of luck.

2) EHD's give you the security of having another source of your backup, and make sure you store them safely. However, EHD's and flash drives can fail, or you can mistakenly erase them. Gulp. Nevertheless I use them as a second prong of my backup stategy.

(*click on any image to take you to Amazon)

And sadly the two systems above are useless if you have a fire or other catastrophe or again, if they fail on you. However they are neccessary to save work in progress and are a great secondary precaution

And yep, I hear you. Safety deposit box, L.A.! Sure you can store your EHD in a safety deposit box or a fireproof safe, rated with a high burn time. And that's not a bad idea, but what if you have to drive to the bank ... will you do it all the time? And can you get a safe with a high burn time?

Another thought is to have two sets that you rotate to the SDB, but again will you go?

3) The third prong in my backup strategy is to use off-site backup. And my choice for this is BackBlaze.  I've used them for years and trust them. If you need a single file or your entire drive, it's there for you. 

(*I may earn a small comission if you sign up, but it's at no cost to you)

Or a cloud storage like DropBox.

(if you click the link I get some free storage and so do you! So it's totally a win/win. Surprise, right?)

I get that some of you are very uncomfortable with off site storage because of hacking. I'm not in the business of guarteening something won't be hacked, so do your research and feel comfortable with what you choose. 

As I said I use BackBlaze for all my hard drives, including my EDH's. And I use DropBox to make sure I can easily get to my work in progress if for some reason I'm offline. Check out their resources, I had to dig a bit, but found out I can have both online and local storage for those documents that I have to work on every day.

And I use EDH's for daily redundancy. 

What ever you choose, do it now and be more at peace that you've done the best you can to protect your work. 

Happy New Year to all of you. 

Find joy and peace where you can and revel in those moments💓

* I may earn a small comission if you click on the Amazon links. There is no charge to you, but it sure helps me

Don't Forget This ~ The Big 3 Annual Reminder

 I mention this every year because I think it's so important if you do any work on your computer. 

You guys know my mantra about backup, right?  

 It's the BIG 3.

Local, external hard drive (EHD) or flash drive, and off-site.

1) Local means backing up in backup software on your computer.  However, if you have a hard drive (HD) crash or system failure, you may be out of luck.

2) EHD's give you the security of having another source of your backup, and make sure you store them safely. However, EHD's and flash drives can fail, or you can mistakenly erase them. Gulp.

And while the above two practices are important, they are USELESS if you have a fire or other catastrophe or they fail on you.

Am I trying to scare you. Yep, a bit. 

Yes, you can store your EHD in a safety deposit box or a fireproof safe, rated with a high burn time. And that's not a bad idea, but what if you have to drive to the bank as off site storage ... will you do it all the time? 

Some folks will, but I'm not one of them, especially now. 

SO...

3) The third prong in my backup attack is to use off-site backup.  

I use two, because I'm a bit redundant, if you haven't noticed.  I use Dropbox for all my writing, so I can access and keep a backup as I work, offsite. 

My other choice for offsite backup is BackBlaze.  I've used them for years and trust them.  If you need a single file or your entire system, it's there for you. 

I don't think $6/month is too much to pay to have my photographs, work...basically life backed up continuously. YES, continuously.  

They will back up each HD on your computer and each EHD that you have attached continuously.  Yes, all that for $6/month. 

If you have more than one computer to back up, it's another $6/month. 

(Yes, I'm an affiliate and may earn a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.)

Do You Know About The Big 3?

And since we're about to start a new year, a new decade, 
it's time to review your computer backup practices.

You guys know my mantra about backup, right?  

 It's the BIG 3.

Local, external hard drive (EHD) or flash drive, and off-site.

1) Local means backing up in backup software on your computer.  However, if you have a hard drive (HD) crash or system failure, you may be out of luck.

2) EHD's give you the security of having another source of your backup, and make sure you store them safely. However, EHD's and flash drives can fail, or you can mistakenly erase them. Gulp.

The above is useless if you have a fire or other catastrophe or they fail on you.

Yes, you can store your EHD in a safety deposit box or a fireproof safe, rated with a high burn time. And that's not a bad idea, but what if you have to drive to the bank ... will you do it all the time? 

3) The third prong in my backup attack is to use off-site backup.  And my choice for this is BackBlaze.  I've used them for years and trust them.  If you need a single file or your entire system, it's there for you. 

I don't think $6/month is too much to pay to have my photographs, work...basically, life backed up continuously. YES, continuously.  

They will back up each HD on your computer and each EHD that you have attached continuously.  Yes, all that for $6/month. 

If you have more than one computer to back up, it's another $6/month. 

Be safe, BACK UP now and check out BackBlaze, they are my trusted partner.

(Yes, I'm an affiliate and may earn a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.  I use them, have for years and trust them.)