A backup debate

[Garbz]

We've debated almost to death the topic of how to backup with varied results. But one thing is clear is that many of us are photographers, or have varied professions that do not automatically make us computer nerds. With that in mind I thought this thread on Slashdot (where they really are all nerds) may be of interest to the folks here:

Slashdot Hardware Story | Best Home Backup Strategy Now?

 

[musicaleCA]

Thanks for the link Garbz. I think my favourite part is easily this:

Rule one: If you got it from bit-torrent, then you don't need to archive it. If it ever was on TV, it will be again. If it's porn, there is lots more where that came from.


Rule two: If it's for work, then ask your boss how she wants it backed-up. Then you're covered.


Rule three: If it's 3 TB of video of the first year of your kid's life then edit it down to 5 minutes because that's all that anyone will watch (willingly) anyway.


Rule four: If it's killer code then tar-zip-gmail is your friend. Ask some other project if you can stash a copy on their CVS server.


Rule five: five-nines of everything is crap. Live now, not in the past.

This reminded me though, I really need to get an online back-up going.

 

[bradly]

I'm a nerd through and through. Backups are backups. It's good to have a third copy away from home. I wouldn't trust my data to a 'backup service'.

I have discovered that I do more, regular backups if they are speedy, so I'm using eSATA now. It's available on many motherboards, and if your current motherboard has an Intel ICH9R or higher southbridge, you can do it by adding a simple, cheap bracket (after installing the Intel Matrix Storage Manager). The bracket was included in my Vantec NexStar external enclosure ($40 without drive). Have you ever seen a large backup fly? It's a beautiful thing.