On-Line Data Back-up

[Wags374]

There was some info on Iron Mountain Digitial in the PSE5 box and that got me thinking about on-line data back-up services.

Have or do any of you use one of the on-line data back-up services? If so why? Would you recommend it?

[troush]

I haven't... But there are some things to consider...

1. Your connection speed. If you have a cable modem, check what your upload speed is. Then, calculate how much you would be backing up. Then, see how long it would take. We were going to back up to a friends house over our high-speed connection, but we figured it would take approximately 8 hours to back up.

2. Privacy. Someone ELSE has your data. Unless it is encrypted, anyone with access to their site can read it. Do you do any online banking? or use software to balance your checkbook?

Those would be the negatives. Some positives:

1. Offsite backup - if your house is destroyed, your backup isn't.

2. Probably can set it up to do it automatically.

3. Saves you the hassel.

Other things to think about:

1. Monthly cost vs. how much it cost you to buy a hard drive and do it?
2. Convenience - is it easier for you to backup to them or a hard drive?
3. Does your ISP limit how much you can upload?

I'm not saying don't do it. Many businesses use other businesses as data centers for keeping and backing up their systems so they don't have the direct costs of doing that. But, there are downsides. Just have to weigh the pros and cons.

-Trish