Online back up of computers

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We all know the importance of backing up computers (no one more so than me, given how many laptops I go through). I got a question from a friend a while back asking what I do re this and have been meaning to post a thread here.

I use Carbonite. For USD$50 yr, everything on my computer is automatically backed up to their server in the USA; so not only is everything backed up, its backed up off-site (in case of fire etc).

The only downside, as I have so many photos of the Arena'ettes on my computer, is that for the initial backup when I started, I exceeded by a large amount my broadband allowance with my ISP, but that was a small price to pay to get everything backed up securely. Now I do nothing. ...everytime I am connected my computer is automatically checked for any new or changed files and they get backed up.... highly recommend them (and I not being paid to say that!).

Anyone else use a similar service?

 

Craig, would this also backup the financial/personal files on patients within practice management software? I currently just burn this info to a disc bu this Carbonite just looks so much easier/secure.

 

Yes

But that takes time/effort and also needs to be stored off-site in case of fire

No effort is required on your part after set up (and pay the $50/yr).

I sould have also said that there are other similar services to Carbonite ... I did look around and used their free trial initially was happy with it (except for the bill I got from telstra for going over the limit on my account for the initial several G's of backup)

 

Craig

Recently I have changed over to a web based clinic managment system.
All my clinic based activities ie patient records, letters, photos, correspondence, referals and accounts are completed on line and stored in a remote server. This means that I can never lose my data and if I lose the lap top there is nothing on it to steal in terms of data because the database is online and not on my computer.
I could have a section for personal data like down loaded papers, research work photos and vids etc but I just tend to back these up on an external hard drive or memory stick. The cost of this service is £25/month, with no upgrade fees in the future as the system is upgraded continually.

You just have to trust that no one is using or stealing the data at the other end

Cheers Dave

 

Morning all

One thing to be careful of if you are using this to back up a Practice management package is the kind of database you software uses. If its based on SQL server (ask you supplier) then it may not back up properly because the data base generally needs to be paused for an effective backup to occur.

Some online backup agents work ok, some don't, so be very aware of this. If you software backs it self up into a Zip file it should work ok online.

We use a 3 tier backup system

Daily off site backups of our entire server on to one of 3 removable hard drives which are stored off site (3 drives gives you one plugged into your server, one ready to plug in when you leave that night and one off site with the previous days image on it)

Secondly I take a copy on a memory stick of the 2 files that are crucial (the practice management software and our accounting package) home with me.

Thirdly we use an internet based backup similar to what Craig has mentioned.

A bit anal you think? a bit over the top?

1 little 2 gig file IS our practice, lose it i would shudder to think of the result

cheers
Stuart

 

I don't think it's anal at all. My life tends to follow Muphy's law. I used to try to burn to DVD's but I became lazy & wanted an automated system. I trusted an online magazine & purchase a Maxtor One Touch Network drive. It seemed like the perfect solution. It has was RAID capable so that one drive would duplicate everything that was written to the other drive. It was a network drive so it could back up all networked computers even though 2 were Pcs & one was a Mac laptop.

Wel the maxtor drive failed & after loosing my data I found out that this happened to many other people. I think the online backup is the best option for the office. I wasn't sure which one to use. I'm cosidering Carbonite now. Thank you.

Shibu