Online services are now supplying a way to backup your data 24/7/365.
Conceptually, it is the ideal solution for most active computer users because it takes the human element out - everything is handled automatically and there's no longer a requirement to plan to backup your data.
Even though online backup is a terrific service, there are several things you must take careful consideration of as you are setting up your account.
1. Very Slow Initial Upload - they don't tell you that
Initially uploading your data to the online backup storage company will be slow. In a world where everything is measured in milliseconds, waiting weeks for your online backup company to completely backup your data is unexpected and seems like an eternity!
The reason things happen so slowly for 2 reasons:
* Broadband - it is the not technological limitations per se, but rather broadband and the way it is administered.
The upload speeds are purposely slower than what you are used to with downloading data. What takes you a few seconds to download from YouTube will take a day with the asynchronous broadband protocol.
* Only upload when your cpu allows it - in other words, Mozy and Carbonite don't want to disturb your work so they work around what you are doing. Uploads only occur when they can be done without slowing down other things you are doing.
If you were to leave your computer on and alone - not working on it otherwise - your initial backup would happen much faster...not very practical though.
Subsequent backups happen super fast though, because your online backup storage company will only upload changes to files, not the whole file again.
2. Large files won't get backed up automatically - this is only in the fine print too
I said everything was automatic and that's right...however, if you have individual files that are very large (>2 GB) you will need to tell the online backup storage company to back those up - they will assume you don't want those backed up otherwise.
2 GB is a pretty large file but some pictures and emails with attachments can be that big.
Look through your documents and settings and see if any files you have are that big - just make note and specify any of those you want to keep backed up.
Online backup is a great way to take a load off your mind by automatically backing up your data!
Taking note of these 2 things will insure your online backup storage experience is everything you expect it to be.
0 comments:
Post a Comment