On Wed, 1 Mar 2006 16:00:35 -0500, "Howard Kaikow"
<kaikow@standards.com> wrote:

>Backing up to another computer still exposes you to the risk of power
>glitches wiping out everything.

Wiping out everything?  Not really.
Corruption or loss?  OK.

If he's using a backup app that creates a proprietary file, and he
only ever backs up to that one file on the remote machine, and it
happens to get borked beyond repair, then yes he can loose the whole
backup.  But right now he's just doing a simple file copy.

IMO if there is concern about power glitches than really a line
conditioner or UPS are in order.  Backing up to more than 1 place also
makes sense to me.  USB or FW HDDs are not really my first thought.

>Best way to backup is to external USB or firewire drives.

I disagree.  There is never a universal "best way" for backup.  Also
the quality & reliability of these devices is, IMHO somewhat
questionable.

If he has a few hundred MB's of data, or maybe a gig or two, & doesn't
want to play with DVD or CDs then OK it's doable and probably most
simple & cost effective.  But if there are tens of gigs of small to
medium sized files (not so uncommon on desktops today) it is painful
over USB2.  FW is not that hot either.  While this transfer is
happening the drive is warming in the enclosure.  It's usually too
long to sit through, but with most enclosures you shouldn't leave it
unattended too long...

>Use at least two drives, alternate among the drives and do not have all
>plugged in or connected at the same time.

Well that's a great idea.  I always cringe at the idea of someone
using or recommending a single HDD as "backup."  Indeed at least two.
Even better if one get's taken somewhere else like an office or
relatives house, safe or safe deposit box, etc.  For that matter the
backup should also be encrypted and carried with some care & shock
protection like foam, etc.

>Get yourself a backup program such as Retrospect or Ghost 10 or True Image
>9.
>I've been using Retrospect since June 2003, with no problems until recently
.
>I started using Ghost 10 because of the Retrospect problem, and ordered Tru
e
>Image 9 (should arrive tomorrow).
>
>If you want to try True Image, take a look at www.newegg.com.
>When I ordered price was $29.99 with free shipping.

Trueimage 9 Home now has both a system imager and a file-based backup.
Looks very good for someone who has not yet invested in any backup
software.

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