We all take our computer, laptop for granted. We turn them on, we do what ever it is we want to do and then turn it off. What would happen if it didn't turn back on? What would happen if the hard drive decided to call it a day or a nasty virus wipes everything? Realisation sets in you remember that you have photo's/iTunes albums on there that you don't have another copy of. It's all happened to us at some point, just depends on the extent of the damage.
Unfortunately I learned the hard way many years ago, from then on I made sure that everything was backed up to DVD-r and my photo's were backed up to DVD-r and my vault/flickr. This is where part of this post came from.
Last week I wrote a quick post about the problems I had with BT Vault. From then I started looking about for alternatives as I need more online space than my "free" 5gb and a quick search revealed that £4.99 extra a month for 50gb is just a rip off.
For anyone not sure of what BT Vault is (info from bt) :
It's important to make sure you keep a copy of any new files on your computer, safe in your vault. That way, if anything happens to your files, you can recover them easily. Also its easy to share your photos, files and more securely online with your friends and family too.
Quick checklist to get you start thinking about what you might miss in the event of a disaster.
- Website files/database
- Pictures
- Videos
- Mp3's
- Documents
- Emails
- Contact list
- Personal projects
- Applications bought via download
I am going to look at a variety of providers compare prices, features and limitations. Some of the providers offer a free account that enables users to store up to ?gb which I will also cover. If you're looking for a personal backup solution that's not going to cost the earth or even a free provider then keep reading.
alternatives to BT Vault - Mozy backup
Free Space Offered : 2gb free space
Free Space Restrictions :
Encryption : 128bit ssl on transfer, 256-bit AES encryption on storage.
Desktop Sync software : Yes.
Other Options:
- Personal unlimited * $49.50yr, $4.95mn *see conditions.
- Business 50gb $99.50yr,$9.95mn.
- Business 100gb $199.50yr, $19.95mn.
- Business 500gb $499.50, $49.95mn.
Free Space Offered : 2gb free space
Free Space Restrictions :
Encryption : 128bit ssl on transfer, 448-bit blowfish.
Desktop Sync software : Yes
Other Options:
- Personal unlimited * $4.95mn *see conditions.
- Desktop Licenses: $3.95 + $0.50/GB per month.
- Server Licenses: $6.95 + $1.75/GB per month.
Free Space Offered : 2gb free space
Free Space Restrictions :
Encryption : Data is encrypted with 2048 bit encryption during transmission to and from our servers.
Desktop Sync software : Yes
Other Options:
Free Space Offered : None Only 15 day free trial
Free Space Restrictions : N/A
Encryption : Files encrypted twice before leaving PC
Desktop Sync software : Yes
Other Options:
Others that I found
Even if you just sign up for the free 2gb on the above sites that's 6gb of free online space. I am going to start playing about with the free space on offer so that I can grasp the software that's used, speed and quality of service. Watch this space for a review of the above services. Quick list of the goodies:
