[D.F. (Nick) Lapenna]

Over the years I have used various back up methods, as I am sure you all have.

At the beginning of this tax season, I acquired a LaCie big disc 1TB as it was on sale.

It is just wonderful for our line of work, in my opinion.

It is of course an external Hard Disc with massive capacity and simple USB connection......and very simple to install and use.

Although it will fit in your briefcase, physically smaller units with less capacity are available if portability is a requirement.

My unit has been troublefree all season. I have used it every day. My next step is to dispose of all my floppy discs, CDs and DVDs so that I can acquire a second unit to "stack" as soon as I see them "on sale" again.

You might want to look at this unit next time you are in your favorite Future Shop.

I recommend it highly.

Ciao!

[dunner]

I have an external USB hard drive that I back up to but I find that it takes a long time to backup to that hard drive unless it's the only USB device connected to my computer. Do you find any similar problems?

[D.F. (Nick) Lapenna]

dunner, on May 14 2008, 11:46 AM, said:

I have an external USB hard drive that I back up to but I find that it takes a long time to backup to that hard drive unless it's the only USB device connected to my computer. Do you find any similar problems?

I use USB 2.2, but it does work on USB 2.

My latest back up, yesterday, was 40GB which took 1 hour 19 minutes......but it was not a problem, because it works "in the background" while I do other things.

For simplicity, I use the software which came with the product. There is an icon on my desktop which I click and select "Back up", then fuhgetabotit.

You could use other software, if you wish. I prefer simple things for my simple mind.

Helga, to answer your question on your PM.

I bought it October 2007 when the regular price was $399.99 with $100.00 off.

Today, the regular price is $299.99 with $30.00 off.

The 500GB unit is $139.99, while the 250GB unit is more expensive, but "portable" .

These are Future Shop Toronto prices. Best Buy is the same ownership, but usually cheaper......however they both "Price Match" if you ask.

I would be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Ciao!

[D.F. (Nick) Lapenna]

D.F. (Nick) Lapenna, on May 14 2008, 12:25 PM, said:

I use USB 2.2, but it does work on USB 2.

There is an error in my post.

So sorry!!!!

I use USB 2.0, but it does work on USB 1.1

Ciao!

[Reg]

I have been using a Western Digital portable disc (150meg) for 2 years now. Plugs into a USB and takes me about 10 minutes to back up my data files.

Neat little unit, will fit in your pocket - not much larger than a pack of cigarettes (for those who are still politically incorrect).

Reg

[James1]

I have been considering something along the lines of this

http://www.netgear.c...us/RND4410.aspx

James

[D.F. (Nick) Lapenna]

snowplowguy, on May 14 2008, 03:13 PM, said:

I have two identical HDD's (320gb). One is in the computer and the other is in an external enclosure (case).

I use Acronis True Image 11 to mirror my operating drive to the external HDD. If ever my main HDD fails I can simply replace it with the mirrored drive which contains the identical information..... right down to the operating system & hardware drivers.

Man O Man, you sure have all the bases covered with that set up.

I will try to duplicate your set up by buying a twin to the hard drive in my Dell desktop, and putting it into an enclosure.

Is there anything I should look out for?

Does the BIOS also get copied with the Acronis True Image?

Ciao!

[spenceh]

snowplowguy, on May 14 2008, 03:13 PM, said:

I have two identical HDD's (320gb). One is in the computer and the other is in an external enclosure (case).

I use Acronis True Image 11 to mirror my operating drive to the external HDD. If ever my main HDD fails I can simply replace it with the mirrored drive which contains the identical information..... right down to the operating system & hardware drivers.
That LaCie big disc looks like a nice product Nick. I see it has an ethernet connection... which would also be great as a central file sharing medium over a network. It could double as a nice little movie server over a home AV media network. :)

Should you get a virus, would it not effect both drives leaving you without a 'clean' backup?

[Easter1]

Take a look at the options available from Amazon.com through their S3 (simple storage solutions) program.

We use a product called Jungle Disk (mac and windows) to access the S3 servers.

WOW, incremental or full you choose. We are looking at bills of 1.4. 5.00 per month full encryption etc.

Took a long time to upload the client data 25+ gigs, but now, if I need data, and I am not in the office, I can using Jungle disk access the info offsite.

This time of year we use an hourly backup, but come July we will go back to once per day.

www.jungledisk.com and www.amazon.com search for S3.

Easter

[David Blue]

On lne real time backup. Continious, Data Deposit Back up.
Three computers backing up live, continuous. It is costing me about $ 35.00 per month.
Data is compressed and you can use it to exchange large data files.

No worries, no hassel.

[Tim Parris]

While I use Acronis, I am presently checking out Carbonite which offers one year of off-site backup per machine for about $50 USD per year.

[D.F. (Nick) Lapenna]

Tim Parris, on May 15 2008, 05:11 AM, said:

While I use Acronis, I am presently checking out Carbonite which offers one year of off-site backup per machine for about $50 USD per year.

Am I just a worry wart?

We are storing tax return information off-site, and posting the locations, here, in the "Google section".

Although I really like the idea, how can I be sure my data is secure, and unavailable to nefarious users if I decide to store off-site?

Ciao!

[David Blue]

I would say that the only real way to protect your data from anybody is not to have your computers hooked up to the internet period. If a hacker really wants into your system, he will get in. Yes we all have a hard fire wall, and other software protection. I am a true believer of offsite backup.

All it takes is one fire, flood or other mishap and poof your information is gone.

Or

You forget or turn your machines off and over night you have a break in, all computers stolen. what then.
Or your Back up crashes, like what happened to me in 2000. The machine died at tax time and the backup was corrupted.

With an offsite system, go out buy new computers, next day your up and running after downloading your data.

In todays times is anything real 100 percent safe and secure? If someone wants your data, they will get your data one way or another.

In todays times you should have both, onsite and offsite backup, Double protection.

My nickles worth.

[D.F. (Nick) Lapenna]

David Blue, on May 15 2008, 11:07 AM, said:

I would say that the only real way to protect your data from anybody is not to have your computers hooked up to the internet period. If a hacker really wants into your system, he will get in. Yes we all have a hard fire wall, and other software protection. I am a true believer of offsite backup.

All it takes is one fire, flood or other mishap and poof your information is gone.

Or

You forget or turn your machines off and over night you have a break in, all computers stolen. what then.
Or your Back up crashes, like what happened to me in 2000. The machine died at tax time and the backup was corrupted.

With an offsite system, go out buy new computers, next day your up and running after downloading your data.

In todays times is anything real 100 percent safe and secure? If someone wants your data, they will get your data one way or another.

In todays times you should have both, onsite and offsite backup, Double protection.

My nickles worth.

You are so correct!!

I will include an off site plan in addition to my present routines.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Ciao!

[Country Music Mom]

Tim Parris, on May 15 2008, 05:11 AM, said:

While I use Acronis, I am presently checking out Carbonite which offers one year of off-site backup per machine for about $50 USD per year.

I use Carbonite. Takes a lot of stress out of my life, knowing that if anything happens to the computers or even I file, I can get it back.

I don't do taxes, but do bookkeeping for about 40 clients, so a computer loss would be one of the worst things for me.

I transfered Carbonite to my new computer and restored files, no problem.

There are also no issues with Vista.

They also have a great referral program. Refer a friend and get free months.:-)

My 2 cents worth.

Pat

[David Blue]

Carbonite, can you give the web site please and some more details.

Is it like Data Box Deposit, on site backup.

[Garett]

For those using carbonite and similar US based services, how do you handle the issues raised by the Patriot Act in the US? I do believe that throws a bit of a privacy wrinkle into the picture.

[Country Music Mom]

David Blue, on May 15 2008, 02:12 PM, said:

Carbonite, can you give the web site please and some more details.

Is it like Data Box Deposit, on site backup.

I just typed Carbonite Backup in my Google Search.

Everything is Encrypted, so my understanding is that no one else can open the files. I know hackers can if they want to.

What I also liked, is they do not "dictate" how you set up settings on your computer.

I had tried a local (Edmonton) backup service and it wouldn't work if I changed my regional date settings to what I wanted to use, it had to be set up their way.

Pat

[JD]

Hello everyone:

Where I use external backup provider, I also use Maxtor Mini one touch Backup HD 160gb. It has built in software which use differential backup method. I plugin the HD with USB and it looks at the data and backup only the files that were changed since last time. I have over 7 gb of data and it takes less than 5 minutes to backup. Nice funky HD will be fit in your pocket. It has encryption software as well. But at the same time external backup is also recommended.

Thanks