May 08

Imagine you have spent hours working on a report or another vital piece of work that has to be submitted tomorrow.Suddenly, your hard disk crashes and all of the hours that you have put into crafting that vital document have just gone up in smoke.Don’t be tempted to join those naive users who say “it will never happen to me!” as probability will ensure that if you don’t take action, one day it inevitably will.Just how can you prevent such a catastrophe occurring?  This is precisely what data backup is all about.

Storing sata is one of the most important functions of computer usage as it can often take months or years to accumulate relevant information.As technology has become more reliable, the risk of losing information has been significantly reduced however it would be needless to lose documents due to lengths that you yourself could have taken to prevent such an occurence. 

There are several different formats of media that will allow your data to be backed up.  Commonly used devices are external hard drives, CDs, DVDs, USB drives and for more sensitive information there are companies and services which will provide you with secure online data backup.  Whenever you backup data to an external device, said device should be stored in a different location from the original computer in case a fire or local electrical surge should damage the data backup hardware.

Data backup is useful only if done at constant intervals and within reason.For example - if you are spending a long time working on an extensive document, you should not wait a significant amount of time before saving your work.  Consider the effort that it would take to redo the work since the last save in the case of a crash and make a judgement call as to how often you save your work.

written by Newshound \\ tags: , , , , ,

Apr 18

It happened to me, one of the worst things in the world. My computer died and I realized that although I owned an external hard drive, I had not at any point got round to backing up my files; and as a photographer that is cripplingly heartbreaking. Go to data storage for more information.

Fortunately, a computer genius of a friend of mine waved his magic wand and did something flashy with the hard drive, and after making me promise I will never ever not get around to backing up my files ever again, told me that he’d retrieved all my images. What a star. As I dried my tears I vowed to become compulsive about backing up absolutely everything and set out to check out the data storage reviews for the ideal data storage solution.

Firstly, I had to work out why I had not used the storage device I already had. All 400GB sitting there, empty. Why could I never be bothered? Whilst trawling storage reviews, I came across a device that answered my question. My sturdy workhorse from Freedom, all big and black and functional looking was just not ticking my girlie boxes. I hadn’t got round to using it because it I didn’t yearn to touch it, hold it and make it mine. Fortunately I’ve found the perfect answer.

The Buffalo MiniStation Lite has the same aesthetic appeal as a pair of Jimmy Choos, or Manolo’s depending on your taste. The sleek and shiny data storage device comes in black, which reminded me of the perfect handbag; red, which reminded me of the perfect patent shoes; and white, which reminded me of a storm trooper, so I felt like Princess Leia. On the technical side, it stores up to 500GB and comes in at a reasonable 150 GBP for the top spec version.

Another data storage device that caught my eye, also based on the aforementioned near loss of all my precious images, was the Kingston DataTraveller Micro USB stick. I’ve been using Kingston USB sticks for years, back when 1 gig of storage seemed enormous. They have always proved to be a stable and reliable device, and even though the standard silver finish doesn’t remind me of shopping for shoes or bags, I have always carried one around just in case I need to transfer files.

This offering from Kingston goes one step further than an ordinary USB stick, by incorporating a slot for a micro SD card, ideal for quick and easy transfer of files from a digital camera for example, onto a computer. This saves the inconvenience of searching through a draw full of cables. The stick is a standard 4GB and retails at a reasonably priced 15 GBP.

There is however an option that is said to combine style and portability. According to the data storage reviews the PNY Attach Lady Flash USB drive is flash in more than one way. The stick is emblazoned with a delicate floral design and has been designed to fill a niche in the market. Unfortunately I can’t help looking at it and thinking bog standard shoe rather that Manolo Blahnik magic.

The design isn’t exactly cutting edge and somehow reminds me of Joan Collins. The trouble with some attempts to create a stylish product is that it becomes a gimmick. This USB stick is a regular storage device with a sticker on and offers nothing other novelty pen drives can’t. In fact, I’d probably go for the ultimate in novelty USB sticks, the Lego Brick, or maybe the flashing duck, or even the animated USB dog that does what dog do whilst catering for all your storage needs. Visit data storage for more information.

One word of caution though if you plan to use flash memory devices as an alternate form of storage is these need backing up too. A Usb  drives portability means they can often be lost dropped or damaged, and also memory controllers can be prone to failure just when you need access to the data. When this happens your only choice of course will be to send the drive to a pen drive recovery specialist.

written by DavePF \\ tags: ,

Oct 17

There are a couple of ways to find the best free data backup program for you.  The first is to limit yourself to finding free data backup programs.  There are a lot of them and many are safe and easy to use.  However, they don’t have many of the advantages of a paid back up service, which is why they are free to begin with.  In order to get the service, many people use free trial periods of paid backup software.

For Only A Couple Of Computers

Free data backup programs are only recommended for personal use or for very small businesses that have up to three computers.  They aren’t equipped to handle the great volume of data storage needed for businesses or organizations.  If you are running a non-profit, then let the makers of a paid data backup service know.  Oftentimes, you can get a discounted rate for that or you can at least get some tax credit.

Determining Computer Time

Many free data backup programs offer a thirty day trail run.  However, that doesn’t mean you can use the program as often as you like for a month.  Computer programs judge days differently than people do.  We are used to a day being twenty-four hours.  For a computer program, a “day” is the time you log on and log off of the program.  You may sign up for a free data backup program thirty day trial to discover that it only works for two weeks.

Disadvantages

For the most part, hopping from one thirty trial to another winds up not being a bargain.  You have to pay close attention to where the data is actually being stored.  Is it being stored on your computer for you to make storage discs or is the data being stored on a website?  If it’s being stored on a website, then you’re out of luck when the trial is up.  Yo will have to take all of your data with you when you go for another free data backup program trail offer.

Advantages

The advantages are in free data backup programs that move your files to discs or store the data on your computer.  This way, you get to use technical support.  You can also see how well their customer service works without having to pay for it.  In this way you don’t have to marry any particular program.  But often, it’s much easier to just pay for such a program rather than having to learn another program every two weeks.

written by Newshound \\ tags: , , ,