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

Time Sensitive Offer From Backblaze Computer Backup

Backblaze is offering new customers a discount!

For the month of February, Backblaze is offering my peeps a 10% discount for new Backblaze Computer Backup customers. 

All you have to do is click on this LINK and enter the code feb2022 when you check out. 

This applies to monthly and yearly plans!

Also don't miss checking out their Extended Version History feature which I use as I want the peace of mind of knowing I'm backed up for a longer period of time. 

This offer is valid from February 1, 2022 at 12 a.m. through February 28, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Please note that this discount is only available to new Backblaze Computer Backup customers.

If you want to know about my BIG 3 safety net, check out this post.

(Yes, I am an affiliate and may earn a small commission, but at no cost to you.) 

Are You Sure Your Computer Is Completely Backed Up? Time To Check.

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. 

And this past year, I'm so thankful I took my own advice as one of my external drives crashed!!!! OMGoodness. After my panic attack I was able to use my 3rd suggestion and saved decades of photos and digital art.

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 (see below), 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... 

This is the one that saved me totally

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 $9/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 $9/month. If you have more than one computer to back up, it's another $9/month. 

So please, take a look at the systems you have in place to back up your data and see if you have the BIG 3.

Happy New Year, 

L.A.

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

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.)

This Could Be The Most Important Post of The Year

My Annual Reminder

Nope, it's not a writing tip, it's a career saving tip. 

Several years ago, I read a post by Syndee Rogers-Nuckles about the importance of multiple or redundant backup systems. 

She was kind enough to let me reprint this, with a few additions of my own. 

Have you ever had your heart sink? Feel the sting of tears streaming down your face as you realized all your files had disappeared?

I have. In a total panic I searched my computer looking for any sign of hope, I shook my head trying to awaken out of what had to be a nightmare.

Does any of this sound familiar to anyone reading this, other than LA, her buddy and me? 

Or were you one of the few lucky ones that had backups of all your files on another EHD (external hard drive) or DVD's? 

Or perhaps it's just been another thing on your ‘to do’ list? 

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to backup your files, but it can be so time-consuming and overwhelming. Like so many of you I am stretched to the limits of available time so after trying at least a dozen different strategies for backing up I finally hit upon something that really works for me.

Now, I use the ‘triple threat’, not just having a single backup copy but two so that you have three copies of all your important files. 

For instance, I have the following:

1- Original files: all my business files like documents are kept on my computer's built-in hard drive. My original design files are kept on my main External Hard Drive.

2- Backup 1: I try to make copies of all my important files as I create them to a second EHD that I keep hooked up to my computer. I try to back this up at least once a week.

3- Backup 2: This is where the online backup service comes in. I LOVE this! I use Backblaze which just runs in the background whenever my computer is on saving all my files for me! My files are backed up to a secure offsite server so if something were to happen to my computer I can still get to my files from another computer!

Online Backup Services

Backblaze
http://www.backblaze.com/

This service was easy to install and was backing up my files in minutes! One of the best things about this company is that it features unlimited storage. I was using Mozy before and they changed their pricing structure so much that it priced them right out of my budget. have been so happy with this service, I totally forget it’s running on my computer!

(LA) This is what I use. It took over 45 days to get all my data uploaded and that was several years ago, but it was done every day behind the scenes, I really didn't notice it at all.

Carbonite
http://www.carbonite.com/

I have heard good things about Carbonite. The biggest drawback is that they do not offer backups of your EHD’s, which is something I can’t live without. But if you are not using any EHD’s they are worth looking in to. 

Mozy
www.mozy.com
I had trouble installing Mozy on my Mac when I switched over from a PC, and when I contacted customer support and followed the instructions they gave me it still did not work. It was around the same time they changed the pricing structure so I canceled my account and signed up with Backblaze.

(LA) I have friends who swear by Mozy, so check them out.  Things change all the time :)

Keep in mind that these online backup services are not meant to be an addition storage system, if you delete the files off your computer these companies will delete those same files after 30 days. 

Thank you Syndee for your research!!

Back up your career, and have a wonderful and hopefully now, a worry free Holiday Season.

If you know of other companies, feel free to post them in the comments section.

Ciao and Happy New Year,
~LA