Mpi305

There are many backup software solutions available which can effectively backup selected files easily without the need to be near a computer.Software can be found easily in many ways, particularly search engines. A program like Stompsoft’s PC backup can protect the data on the computer and transfer it to a CD/DVD, Hard Drive, Tape, Networks, practically any media in a few steps, as well as being able to create a bootable Disaster Recovery CD or DVD to get your systems running in the event of a crash. This program has a 60 fee to use, which may deter users, though the price enables a system that automatically backs up selected files at time suited to the user. 

“The best way for any individual user is whichever way will be most convenient — since this convenience will lend itself to making regular backups”.  This is a backup solution that is very convenient to almost any user. By automating what needs to be backed up, it save time for the user to manually backup the files and also gives users peace of mind that the files will be stored somewhere apart from the hard drive incase of failure. 

It runs as a simple to use one click backup and restore button. Simply choose where to store the backup and what you want to have backed up. The software saves most files on the computer but cannot save email, address books or internet favorites as a lot of other software claims to be able to do.The file which has just been put to CD produces a CD which is unlike that of what copying normal files across the which would provide the user with the original work files on a CD that could be accessed by anyone. PC backup creates a coded file which does not allow users to access the files without first running PC backup to decrypt the files and place them back as working files on the computer. This file helps protect the users work from others taking the files, giving some security. Although it is unclear whether or not this code is unique to the user, possible giving the opportunity for others to copy the files if they too have a copy of the program but allowing the user to recreate there files on a formatted system.

This program is as customizable as online storage as it allows the user to backup the work hourly, daily, weekly or monthly, allowing a lot of freedom and opportunities to have consistent and effective backups of all the work as well as at multiple stages. This also has advantages over online storage as the speed to backup is much greater to transfer and retrieve. “Making backup copies of your computer files is like wearing a safety belt in an automobile–both are intended to minimize potential loss in case of an accident. With regular file backups, the damage resulting from hardware failure, virus infection, or accidental deletion will be limited.[1]” 

[1] The Pennsylvania State University, 2001, Play it Safe — Back Up Your Files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://css.psu.edu/news/nlfa01/playitsafe.html>

Apart from the various hardware capabilities which can be accessed as a backup solution, there are also many software programs and internet solutions that claim to provide competent backup solutions.  It is just a matter of finding the right software to fit user’s needs for a backup system. These solutions are easily found on any search engine, with thousands of options appearing, ranging from automated backup solution to online storage.  To find a more reliable storage method is to find a review page which clearly tells of the pros and cons of software based storage. Review pages make it easier to discover The online storage solution is a common result when searching for alternate backup options, and also prominent results in reviews and searches for backup solutions.Many of these companies charge large fees to store data with some of the companies, something which can be out of reach for many users. A company such as SOS Online Backup charging around $75 per year for 1 GB of storage can be seen as extreme considering the amount an external hard drive or DVD cost. This is a major factor when deciding upon a backup plan. The ability that these companies can offer up to hundreds of gigabytes of storage space is a great option for storing huge amounts of data securely offsite. “It is usually NOT a good idea to keep your backup file copies in the same location as your regular files. This is important because the cause of damage to your files could be environmental (heat, smoke, water, etc.) and would be as likely to damage your backups as your originals.[1]” While it is possible to store backup disks of site, it may not be 100% feasible for all users. This is where a solution such as an online storage facility can be useful. 

With cost a major factor in deciding upon which way to go with backup solutions a program such as Mozy Remote Backup is effective. Mozy is both free as well as being automated software to backup workMozy enables its users to have access to 2 GB worth of online storage space for free and it is possible to increase it up to 3 GB when the user refers other users to the product. It is also possible to purchase up to 20 GB of room for around $USD40 a year, which is much cheaper alternative to the other products available.It works by transmitting data of your backed up data in an encrypted way using either their own 448-bit key or one that you supply yourself. It also claims that if you lose your private key nobody can recover the files, meaning a very high level of security to secure backups. Mozy is fully customizable so that the user can make the program work automatically, by default this is when the CPU is less than 60% in use and idle for 30 min. Alternatively it can also be set to run at a selected time, preferably at a time when you know that the computer will not be in use, such as when you are in bed. This option enables users to feel relaxed about the state of their work and backups since it can work at any time.  

“When you backup your files through the internet, you never have to bother with finding a disk which holds your data on it again. Your data is always right there on the internet, ready to be accessed whenever you desire. You can access your data from any computer in the world with an internet connection.[2]” This can be very appealing to users; it saves the hassle of needing to manually backup the files onto separate CD’s and DVD’s. Online storage also saves money on the costs of having to purchase CD’s for each project and also each backup. 

“Traditionally backup involved the use of physical media such as floppy disks, CD-Rs or ZIP disks. It is now possible to backup your data through the internet without ever having to touch a disk.[3]” 

Disadvantages of using this program is the small amount of spam which they send to the users email account, which can be easily blocked or diverted on many email accounts. A factor which will not hinder any of the users work or backups, or any other part of the computer system. There is also the limited amount of data transfers per month, which can be discouraging to users who are continually using and altering files on the computer. There is also the problem of speed of transferring data from computer to online storage. A large file to transfer from system to online storage will take much longer than what it would by using a more traditional method of burning or copying data onto a more common medium such as a CD or DVD.

[1] The Pennsylvania State University, 2001, Play it Safe — Back Up Your Files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://css.psu.edu/news/nlfa01/playitsafe.html>

[2] Walter Stevens , Backup Your Files on the Internet, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://free-backup.info/backup-your-files-on-the-internet.html>

[3] Walter Stevens , Backup Your Files on the Internet, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://free-backup.info/backup-your-files-on-the-internet.html>

A common theory and philosophy for back up procedures is the art of Zen. a Chinese practice which has been commonly related to backing up “Zen is the art of becoming one with that which you are doing. It is a form of meditation that puts you in a state where you are sure of exactly what is going on around you.[1]” Knowing your system thoroughly allows users to plan and know what situation there computer is in, and enables proper preparation for disaster.  

This is a philosophy that everyone should adopt when working on a computer but adopting it is the problem. Backing up files is seen by many users as work on top of work. Backing up the file will talk a lot less time than recreating the file will. It is the small workload that it added on the end of the bulk of the work that deters users from backing up and preventing major losses of data.“Just as night follows day, as Autumn Follows Summer, so should backups follows your work.[2]” This line sums up the importance of backing up data. It should be almost as important as the work itself. By applying this theory, backups will become common place and enable a system that has all bases covered when it comes to preventing data loss. The art of Zen backup has simple rules to follow which apply to all work. - Backup all your data- Backup frequently- Take some backups off site- Keep some old backups- Test your backups- Secure your backups- Perform integrity checks  “For anyone who uses a computer on a regular basis, data backup is very important.[3]”

[3] Walter Stevens , Backup Your Data Today , last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://free-backup.info/backup-your-data-today.html>

Considering most users have access to some form of hardware to use as a backup, they would be well aware of all there benefits and restrictions. Finding a solution of how to use these products in an effective way that most benefits the users can be a problem. A way to find a solution is to organize data in a way that is can be known how much needs to be stored and how often.It is best to remember that “Organizational forethought is essential to having a convenient file backup strategy.[1]” Having an organized work environment can lead to a much more effective backup solution. Knowing what has been backed up and where can save time when trying to retrieve the files as well as knowing what needs to be backed up from the system. By organizing the work in a clear format, users can then begin to understand which medium would be best to use in different situations. This also means the organization of the system and backups leads to a more stable work area.“Label disks clearly, noting the date and time of the backup. Don’t erase the previous backup until you have made a newer one.[2]” By applying this practice it will mean the backups are in such an order that the user can quickly find the lost files in a much quicker time span. This also enables the computer system to be much more organized and prevents redundant data, meaning cleaner files, allowing for cleared up space on the hard drive and a much more productive work flow.It is also a good idea to rotate the disks which contain backup files. This of course only applies to Medias such as ZIP disks or re-writable CD’s and DVD’s. By doing this the user is applying a means to protect against backup failure. There is always the chance of the system encountering a problem during the backup stage. If this does occur, having a separate backup disk will mean there is a copy of the files somewhere on hand. This will again save you some amount of time, even though the most recent copy of the data is lost.“By rotating disks you always ensure that at least one copy is in good shape.[3]”

[2] Sandy McMurray, 2006, Back up your computer files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/backupfiles.mspx>

[3] The Pennsylvania State University, 2001, Play it Safe — Back Up Your Files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://css.psu.edu/news/nlfa01/playitsafe.html>

“To find the solution that’s best for you, compare the convenience, price, and ease of use offered by each approach.[1]” 

When backing up it is important to backup anything that cannot be recreated. Even if there is a hardcopy available, it is still valuable to backup these files as recreating the document from only a hard copy is a tedious task that should be unnecessary. The size of these files is a huge factor when determining what medium to use when backing up. A small file such as a word document will only use a considerably tiny amount of data, so a medium such as a floppy disk would be suitable. Floppy disks though are almost obsolete, so a more up to date medium suck as a USB drive, which cost a very small sum considering how often they can be used and how much they can store, would be sufficient in this situation.Today there are many options that can be easily accessed and stored around many workstations. The CD, DVD, USB, to the more expensive options such as external hard drives. All of these mediums provide adequate storage and backup solutions for any computer system. Which option to use depends on the workload of the user and what files will be in use. CD’s store a fair amount of data, 800 megabytes, but for users who work consistently with larger files like video; this is by no means big enough. A system that uses video would need gigabytes of data, which can be provided in the form of DVD’s and external hard drives, both of which can be  accessed by the average users due to the lower costs and built in functions now provided in computer systems. 

Cost is a major factor when deciding upon what to use as a primary source of backup. As mentioned, DVD burners and external hard drives cost much less than the most up to date computer system, though these many not be able to be afforded by the average user on top of the costs for the system itself. The backup system depends on what can be afforded by the user as well as what it convenient to them. An external hard drive offers the same functionality as the hard drive contained within the system, and is separate from the computer, giving protection to the backed up files, thought this many be unaffordable to the user, particularly in the short term considering the amount blank CD’s cost to purchase. “Backing up depends greatly on what the user already has at their disposal. With most computers having CD burners included, it would be a cheap method to use this medium as your backup.”

[1] Sandy McMurray, 2006, Back up your computer files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/backupfiles.mspx>

“Most people realize that they should back up their computer files, but don’t bother because it can be tedious, time consuming, and costly. This inaction can cost many hours of work and the loss of irreplaceable data.[1]” This is a common feeling experienced by many, backup is considered a mundane task that creates an unnecessary workload to top the hours that have already been put into the project on the computer. Not taking any appropriate action to prevent a disaster within a computer system can pile up countless more hours of work to get back the files, some of which may not be able to be recovered at all. For all computer users, backup is fundamental for an effective production pipeline, loss of any data can turn out to be catastrophic, and the amount of time that will be need to be input into the project again can result. A designer for example could spend hours in front of the computer over days to weeks on a project only for one day the computer not load correctly, cause loss of all files.  Computers always have some level of risk of failure in one form or another which may ultimately result in huge amounts of data loss. Be it from viruses, hardware failure or human error, there is always something that could potentially bring the entire contents of your computer down. There is no preventative measure to fully stop any accidents happening to your computer system, only plans to get the system fully operational again in the shortest amount of time. Backup is important as it is a measure to ensure that whatever data is lost can easily be recovered.“Computer backup involves the process of storing data in a location apart from your hard drive, on any possible medium in order to ensure that you always have a copy of that file.[2]” While users may think that the work on a computer system is safe and locked away, it is essentially a much different reality. Much of “Your life’s work whizzing around on a disk that’s spinning around hundreds of times per second” It’s a thought that would have many people worried about the state in which their data is stored.  Backups ease a lot of the pressure that is evident in the event of damage to the original files, “Even if you have hard copies, it’s going to cost you time to enter the information again.[3]” Time is one of the major factors and losses that occur with data loss. It of course takes time to recover the lost data from the backup discs but much longer to completely recreate entire projects and files. “Your backup is as important as your data and your time — because that’s what it’s going to cost you if you lose it.[4]”  

As outlined by Cheryl Frogley-Rawson, who advises “You have to think of the worst-case scenario and do backups for that,” an example being, “Plan for a hard-drive crash and make sure that base is covered[5]” With the hard drive being the most likely part of the computer to crash, and also being the most valuable in terms of it containing the users entire workload, it is important to prepare for the worst and backup these files.  

It is not vitally important to backup the program files on the computer system; these are usually contained on install discs separate from the computer.“Programs and hardware are replaceable. Data files are irreplaceable. Therefore, data files should be backed up on a regular basis. Program files need only be backed up once.[6]”

[1] The Pennsylvania State University, 2001, Play it Safe — Back Up Your Files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://css.psu.edu/news/nlfa01/playitsafe.html>

[2] Walter Stevens , Zen and the Art of Computer Backup, Last Viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://free-backup.info/zen-and-the-art-of-computer-backup.html>

[3] Sandy McMurray, 2006, Back up your computer files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/backupfiles.mspx>

[4] Sandy McMurray, 2006, Back up your computer files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/backupfiles.mspx>

[5] Sandy McMurray, 2006, Back up your computer files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/backupfiles.mspx>

[6] The Pennsylvania State University, 2001, Play it Safe — Back Up Your Files, last viewed 6^th November 2006. <http://css.psu.edu/news/nlfa01/playitsafe.html>