Don’t Lose Your Data

The stories of PC disasters are endless and they continue to be heard even when we all know there are so many ways for people to backup these days. Unfortunately it seems it is still too hard for most to protect themselves.

Hackers, viruses, acts of nature — even a coffee cup is capable of destroying years of your precious data.Much of our life is stored in digital form on a computer so doesn’t it make sense that you’d do almost anything to keep that data safe. See original article

Even though this article is from the US, it’s just as relevant in Australia. The article encourages PC users to do something about backing up and goes on to compare both Carbonite Online Backup and Mozy.

This is what it said about ‘How to use Carbonite’. Carbonite puts a lot of focus on keeping its service simple, without the many frills you may get from other providers. At the end of the day, PC users just want it to happen and keep happening (backing up that is) and Carbonite does this well.

Using Carbonite Backup

The first step is downloading their free trial software. It takes all of about 30 seconds to download their 2.8 MB software on a high speed cable connection. The installation takes a few minutes longer, but it’s very informative. Offering audio guides through the entire process.

Depending on how you setup the Carbonite software will determine what files are backed up. As mentioned if the standard install is done then your MY DOCUMENTS and SETTINGS are backed up. You can also override this and choose to manually select which files and folders are backed up.

Adding files to the backup is simple, you simply right click on the file on your computer and select Carbonite -> Back this up. It couldn’t be any easier. Other programs I’ve used you need to fumble around with tree directory menus clicking this and that, but Carbonite backup really has simplified this step.

If you’re backing up several gigs of information you should be prepared for it taking some time to do. But this is primarily only for the first backup. Since Carbonite will only add modified or new files withing folders you have chosen to backup each time.

Backing up and Restoring Files

My initial backup went off without a hitch. It did take sometime, but I didn’t notice any major slow down in my PC while it was going. I haven’t had to do a full restore of all the files, but I have accessed and tested some of them. Everything went as easily as Carbonite’s website suggests it should.

Carbonites Backup Drive Screen

Carbonite Support

From all the consumer reviews I’ve read I’ve got to say that the Carbonite support team sounds like the best in the biz. They offer phone and online support, and those consumers that have called have actually got to speak with a real person. Fancy that, an actual support person in the age of computers.

Verdict on Carbonite Backup

As a backup tool Carbonite backup is at the top of my list. I am still using it to keep files and data safe. The only draw back is that to restore large amounts of data could take some time to download. I love the unlimited space option, also their desktop software is simple to use, and adding files to a backup is easy.

Compared to it’s competitors Carbonite is the sure winner. Download their free trial and you’ll see for yourself.

Carbonite Online Backup offers a free 30 day trial and you only need to provide an email address and a password.

Cloud Computing and I?

I thought I would start a few posts on Cloud Computing and how it impacts the everyday PC user. Why, well because I think over the next 5 years it will change the way we use our PCs.

Defined as:
Cloud computing literally means Internet (‘Cloud’) based development and use of computer technology (‘Computing’). It is a style of computing where IT-related capabilities are provided “as a service” using Internet technologies to multiple external customers. It allows users to access technology-enabled services without knowledge of, expertise with, or control over the technology infrastructure that supports them. See Wikipedia

Have you seen it? You will have experienced it if you use an MSN Hotmail email account or a Google Gmail account. Traditionally software including email software eg Outlook and Lotus Notes are sold as applications that you install and control through your desktop. Cloud computing equivalents, provide you with the same/similar functionality but you don’t install them, you simply login to a website and access your account and the application. You don’t have to worry about hosting them nor about where the information you save is stored. The provider of the service looks after all of that for you.

A detailed article about Cloud Computing and how it is changing the business world can be found at IT News. Quoted within the article

Gartner predicts that by 2012, 80 percent of Fortune 1000 enterprises will be paying for some cloud computing services, and 30 percent will be paying for cloud computing infrastructure services.

Why would a company or even a home PC user even consider a cloud computer solution? Mainly price and functionality that may not be available elsewhere. A good example is MS Office. If you really wanted to use these tools and you didn’t want to fork out the $190+ for it (Home/Student Edition), you could access Google Docs for free. I can only assume functionality is similar. It even lets you export the file so that you can then use it with other applications. Another good reason to use these ‘cloud’ services is because you can access the application and files from anywhere.

When travelling, you can pop into an internet kiosk and send your emails. Same thing with Google Docs and Spreadsheets you can work on a file at work and then access the same file at home. Very convenient.

Cloud computing also extends itself to backing up your PC. Traditionally, back-up is performed either via an external/internal hard drive, via CD/DVDs or via a Memory Stick. All of the methods work, but they are time consuming, can be difficult to manage, are prone to failure and can be expensive.

Cloud computing has revolutionised backing up your home PC. Why? Well, it’s quick, it’s simple, it does it all for you and its cheap. The way it works is that once you have installed the application, it begins reviewing your hard drive for folders and files and marks them as pending back-up. It then begins to copy and transfer them over the internet (securely) to the remote centre, where it securely stores them for you. As you continue to use your computer, it identifies the changes as well as new files and transfers them to your online backup account. You don’t have to remind it to do this. It just does it!

The clear benefit for this type of solution is that its automatic and because your data is stored online there is no hardware/clutter to worry about. Many services such as Carbonite offer unlimited back-up. So no matter how many pictures of the grandchildren you have, you can store them all online. Its also cheap. Carbonite retails for $59.95, that is security for 16c per day. Not much to pay for, for the security of some of your most prized possessions.

So what is the drawback. In Australia, cloud computing is still relatively new (beyond email systems). The Australian PC user needs to begin to trust the provider of the service before they place their most valued possessions with them. Services such as Carbonite that are global, and that invest millions in their warehousing facilities are in it for the long haul. They are also profitable businesses.

Once we get over the trust factor, well then, these cloud type services can be a gold mine for many people. Why not give them a try, it won’t cost you anything.

Cloud Computing and Financial Institutions

Every financial institution I have worked for has had the same objective to move its clients to online statements and correspondence. Over time with a small incentive here and there they manage to get 20%, maybe 30% people across the line. The reason why they have never managed to convert me is because I have always feared losing it all (my financial records) when my computer inevitably crashes.

What would I do? I would need to ask for it all again and pay them (when it was free in paper form the first time).

Since joining Carbonite here in Australia, I have wondered about the opportunity to partner with a financial institution, and offer their client base a real incentive to convert to online correspondence. If the client knew that they would be protected, should the inevitable happen, then it sure would add greater weight to the argument compared to a cheap incentive such as movie tickets.

This morning I read a blog by Dr “Mostly Cloudy” Gerlich. He talks about Wells Fargo (large fin inst in US) offering its clients an online safety deposit box for their electronic records. The service is called vSafe. It isn’t a free service but you can’t expect any more from a bank. As he says, they have awoken to the idea and the opportunity.

vSafe will compete with Carbonite, in the US anyway. Over time, I hope to convince some of our financial institutions of the same thing, maybe not going it alone though, but partnering with Carbonite. Maybe it is still a little too soon as online storage still isn’t a mainstream service here (only really known by the technical world).

Stay tuned for more on this.