Does that sound familiar? I see. Backup is essential. Although more and more files are added to digital storage, most people ignore backup. According to the information provided by the Consumer Electronics Association of America, every American adult with Internet access has an average of 1800 digital files, and the number is increasing.
We have mastered a technology that is convenient for you to make backups and can help you stick to your backup plan. You will find that many choices actually lead to the same goal. Part of the challenge comes from choosing what suits you best.
First, set out to make a backup plan.
Investigate your backup needs and analyze what is "active" data-this refers to the document library that you often use, not archived data, that is, data that does not need to be modified or supplemented. "Real-time" data may include your digital music and business documents, while archived data may include your digital photos in the past five years. Think about whether you plan to put all your data in one place or back it up to multiple devices. Also consider your habits: Do you need backup tips? Or can I call for backup at will?
After evaluating your files and requirements, you can better determine your backup strategy and determine which technology combination is more suitable for you. It is likely that the selected backup strategy includes various devices and services, which come from USB flash drives, external hard disks, network attached storage and online backup.
Now, many hardware devices include backup tools; But whether you can find the usefulness of backup tools (whether individual applications or comprehensive drives) will depend in part on the backup method you choose. Do you want to back up all files? Or do you want to make it bigger and more popular, and store the documents on NAS or a dedicated 1TB hard disk connected to your system?
From the second step to the fifth step, we will find some technologies to help you with your backup work, and at the same time help you confirm the most suitable situation and what kind of needs these technologies can meet.
Second, organize your papers.
Different software programs, including traditional backup programs, such as Novastor Novabackup Preferred, MC Retrospect Backup and NTI Backup 5 Advanced, can find special file types on the hardware drive and back up these file types according to the instructions. However, if we can design an organized structure for the files on the hardware drive, things will change. In this way, if you want to make a daily backup of the above software, you will know exactly where to start, or decide whether to make a manual backup of the fast compiler. At that time, all you had to do was drag and drop files from one hard disk to another Windows Explorer. )
Third, try to "set and ignore" the backup.
Frankly speaking: sometimes, the process of deciding how and where to back up is overwhelming. Although admitting this fact is not to deny the necessity of the first and second steps mentioned above, sometimes you just save it without thinking about anything.
Some devices make it extremely easy to start a system backup. One of the more popular methods is Clickfree portable backup storage device, which makes backup super simple. Connect this USB device with a value of 65,438+080 and a capacity of 320GB (there are also settings with a capacity of 65,438+020 to 250Gb, which will reach 500GB in 2009) to a PC based on Windows operating system, and all data files, including music, movies, pictures, emails and emails, will be backed up. When your hard disk is connected to your computer, the backup software built into the hard disk will start immediately; The software supports up to 350 file types. You can choose the basic settings or let the driver do everything-it's up to you! This drive can guarantee 20 sets, and the backup is increased. (This means that it makes a full backup for the first time, and then keeps finding new files and backing them up). Recovery is very simple, as long as you press the recovery key, the software built into the hard disk will send the data to the original location.
If you only have enough data to fill one or three DVDs, the DVD sold by Clickfree comes with the same backup software. The HP SimpleSave picture utility uses the HP branded version of its CD.
Rebit disk drive backup is more convenient to use. Just plug it into the drive (500GB, priced at $220), license the built-in software for backup, start it, and continue to protect your background. By the end of 1 month, the software of this drive will be updated, which will support managing up to 6 backups with one computer hard disk (this is a good design for backing up smaller data sets, but it is not suitable for PC users with multiple loaded multimedia connections). The company also provides software CDs that are easy to use on CDs and can be used with any external hard disk drive. The CDs listed on its website cost $50.
Memeo's automatic backup software and NTI Shadow are competing independent applications, both of which can be purchased for real-time file backup; Compared with Clickfree or Rebit, they need more people to participate.
Fourth, use flash memory.
USB flash drives are everywhere, but now 4GB is a baseline function, not a high-end function. 16GB, 32GB or even larger storage capacity is becoming more and more common.
The benefits of using flash drives are manifold. You can store files, including important documents and multimedia files, on a thumb-sized hard disk, so that you can keep the data at hand, just like in your pocket or on a key chain. Many drives provide software encryption and password protection, and even include file synchronization utilities. SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus will further synchronize you with Internet-based storage drivers.
With the latest release of its UltraBackup disk information (announced at CES last week), SanDisk has gone all out. The drive is expected to be released in April, with a capacity of 8-64GB (the price is 40-200 USD). There is a retractable USB interface in its slide cover, so you don't have to worry about its cover. The integrated software does not need to be installed, only the file types that need to be backed up. When the drive is inserted, the backup starts; You can also back up with a button.
Verb (short for verb) sends data to online backup service.
Online backup is meaningful in some cases, but it is meaningless in some cases. Web-based services (such as Webroot security backup service) provide rich storage in different places, thus ensuring that your data will not be destroyed by natural or unpredictable disasters (such as floods, earthquakes or fires). But if your data is calculated in tens of GB or even TB (yes, Snap-happy digital photographers and masters who love music are you! ), online backup may not be appropriate. Content creators who need large capacity may prefer to store files on NAS drives and local hardware drives (or on drives with a second address) rather than dealing with the rising cost of network-based backup.
So many websites offer free online backup up to 2GB (such as Mozy.com and Fabrik.com). For basic Word, Excel files, PDF files and Powerpoint presentations (at least something that can be played by multimedia), 2GB is still promising. For the files you are using, online backup is convenient (as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection) and economical.
It's just the choice of strategy and what kind of data you want to protect!