Backup questions from a paranoid artist :P

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

12/20/2004 04:10:47 PM · #1

Okay..

I work for my boyfriend's mother as an insurance agent. The agency is family owned and in the basement of the office is a nice little apartment that my boyfriend and I live in. I am also a freelance graphic and web designer and I'm just now getting into photography. Anyways, I've been running my design work from a laptop that I got for my birthday a few years ago, but it's getting a little old and it hasn't been able to deal with some of the job requests that have been coming in lately, so I've decided to upgrade to a much more powerfull desktop computer. I've always used laptops and have taken them with me all the time.

The house that I previously lived in was robbed a few years back and my laptop was stolen. So that means that ALL my art and photography went with it. I had NO backup whatsoever, so I got to start over. It sucked! Once I got my second laptop, I began to backup everything and I ended up taking my laptop with me most of the time.

Well, the other day as my boyfriend and I were leaving our apartment we happened to notice a young boy walk up to the office window and stare inside where all my camera equipment and laptop happened to be. We slowed down and watched him, but then he just sat down on the sidewalk and waited for us to leave, so we called the cops and waited a little bit and came back to rescue my stuff. I guess I'm paranoid.

My boyfriend and I used to hang out with a kid in high shool until we found out that he had a habbit of stealing electronics from his "friends". He moved away after my house was robbed, but now he's back and my boyfriend made the HUGE mistake of inviting him over the see the apartment, where he was able to get a gander at all my stuff. I simply do not trust him and now that I'm getting a desktop computer, obviously I can't take it with me like I can my laptop. I thought about getting an external hard drive that I can put my art and photos on, so I could take that with me whenever I leave.

Does anyone have any ideas on what kind (brand) of external hd to get or any ideas on anything else I can do? Thanks for any comments.

P.S. I just got a new Canon 20D as an early Christmas present from my mother and boyfriend and I'm LOVING it! The only bad thing is now I have to spend extra money on lenses and accessories :P

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

12/20/2004 04:32:52 PM · #2

If do end up with a regular desktop PC then a) make sure you get in properly insured (yes I did note you're an insurance agent but, for all I know, IAs are as good at making sure they are insured as doctors are at being patients ;) and b) make sure you make comprehensive and regular back ups and that you keep copies OFF SITE so they won't be stolen along with the computer.

12/20/2004 04:41:21 PM · #3

Thanks for the help Kavey! I want a way to back everything up to take with me. I was kind of wondering if it is worth the trouble to back everthing up onto CDs or DVDs, or if it would be better to go ahead and get an external hard drive. What I really want to know is what kind of hard drive to look for.

12/20/2004 04:49:43 PM · #4

if you have web space - not the free kind - you could always back up a lot of stuff there. you dont have to carry it with, and can access it anywhere you have the internet.... the hosting companies usually do redundant back ups so if one site is damaged they can grab the data from the secondary back up.

i personally would be more worried about dropping the external HD than having it stolen.
Renters Insurance is cheap enough. if the data is safe - the gear is replacable.

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

12/20/2004 05:04:19 PM · #5

Hey soup! Thanks for the reply. I never really thought about web space. I'm in the process of making my own website and I have 1GB of space. I have no idea why that never crossed my mind. Thanks for that! I wont be able to put ALL my stuff on the web however. I have an art folder on my desktop that contains all my design work and photography which is 3.6GB and I'm pretty sure I don't want to pay for more web space for that. It would be cheaper to get the external hard drive.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

12/20/2004 05:10:54 PM · #6

Can't help on the external hard drive as I've no experience.

I try and back up all my own files every month or two and I drop a copy of that around at my parents and one at home - the one at their house is in case of fire which would not only destroy my PC but the back up CDs stored at home too.

I don't back up software, though I probably should...

eugene

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D

12/20/2004 05:12:17 PM · #7

Definatelly get renter's insurance. A year ago I dropped my old Nikon 775 camera by while on vacation and broke it. The insurance company paid to replace it very quickly without any hassle.

There are also places on the web where you can store data (not webspace) like //www.xdrive.com they have 5GB for $10 per month...

Tycho

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

12/20/2004 05:21:22 PM · #8

You may want to take a look at Iomega products, particularly REV drives, and automatic back-up software.

12/20/2004 05:21:57 PM · #9

an external HDD is a good option and an affordable one - the best option is to get one with an USB 2.0 and I think 30GB would be sufficent enough

with where to store it - it is recommended to store the external HDD in a fireproof safe and backup your data overnight (you can specify which folders to backup)

a quick search on google for my recommended specification leads me to this site ... 30GB External HDD (USB 2.0)

12/20/2004 05:36:40 PM · #10

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Does anyone know if there is such a thing as an external hard drive that has memory card readers? That way I could take it with my while I'm out shooting with my camera.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

12/20/2004 06:00:32 PM · #11

This is in Australian dollars - so u can do the currency conversion
External HDD (USB 2.0) Flash Drive

umm sorry I didn't realise that u had to pay $520.00AU ($397.20 USD)
+ the HDD price

Available in
30GB - $192.50AU ($147.00 USD)
40GB - $231.00AU ($176.40 USD)
60GB - $352.00AU ($268.85 USD)
edit.. did the conversion for u

IPod Photo
(I think you can only add them via the computer I check it up for ya)
40GB $499USD
60GB $599USD

The adapter allows you to transfer the photos on the go (the reviews arn't that good but)
Belkin Media Reader

Message edited by author 2004-12-20 18:27:27.

joebok

Fujifilm X100F

12/20/2004 06:06:29 PM · #12

There is also the iPod - there is an accessory that will allow it to read nearly any type of media. But it isn't the most economical solution - but on the other hand they are very cool.

12/20/2004 06:07:51 PM · #13

i have unlimited bandwidth and storage through interland.com
it's about $150 US a year - not sure if they have changed their sturcture. they do reserve the right to discontinue service if you mis use their servers - but they all have clause that clause in the TOS.

there also maybe cheaper routes, but these guys seem to provide well enough to keep me.

though it isn't the ONLY way i back up stuff.

Originally posted by heathernoll:

Message edited by author 2004-12-20 18:09:34.

12/20/2004 06:30:39 PM · #14

Ok I think this ends my research
xs-drive.com
plenty to choose from there/will do as you wish
(The main problem is if it fits into your budget)

PRICES

Message edited by author 2004-12-20 18:34:11.

12/20/2004 06:57:19 PM · #15

saintnicholas: I noticed that Jacko has one of those and it seems as if he's pretty pleased with it.

soup: Thanks for the link. Unlimited bandwidth and storage sound pretty nice for only $150/year!

Message edited by author 2004-12-20 18:57:51.

12/20/2004 06:59:08 PM · #16

NP - mention route108.com maybe i'll get some kick back if you go with them.

Originally posted by heathernoll:

soup: Thanks for the link. Unlimited bandwidth and storage sound pretty nice for only $150/year!

Message edited by author 2004-12-20 18:59:37.

12/20/2004 07:00:55 PM · #17

Cool. If I decide to go with them I'll do that! :)

12/20/2004 07:19:22 PM · #18

Originally posted by heathernoll:

soup: Thanks for the link. Unlimited bandwidth and storage sound pretty nice for only $150/year!

Just something to consider .....

$150 a year not $150 for a lifetime, so going on the estimated lifecycle of a system or device (5 Years) the 60GB IPod photo for $599 and 40GB for $499 works out cheaper than ($150 x 5') which = $750

and remember do u really need unlimited storage space? since currently u only have 3.6GB to backup, so if you don't use more than 40GB or 60GB over the next 5 years I would strongly recommend an External HDD

U figure out what X-Drive your interested in and do the sums and see what would be more economical for your needs

Message edited by author 2004-12-20 19:27:53.

12/20/2004 07:25:51 PM · #19

To figure out the price and costing

X-Drive Cost / 5 = Total - year

eg Â£189.00 / 5 = Â£37.80 - year

Message edited by author 2004-12-20 19:26:15.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/20/2004 07:31:22 PM · #20

saint: That is true. I think I'll keep looking for an external hdd.

Dr.Confuser

Nikon D800

12/20/2004 07:34:45 PM · #21

I agree with all the previous postings except for one thing ... get a huge USB external hard drive. Graphics stuff adds up fast, especially with multiple versions and edits of photos and graphics projects that have many component parts. I recently bought a 200 Gig, USB 2, Western Digital drive for about $200 and it's half full already. Because it's portable (size of a hardback book), and USB connected, you can take it with you and use it to back up multiple PC (e.g. laptop and desktop). Or, depending on the software you use, you could attach it to a client's PC and show them the work without bringing the laptop.

Then in addition, make sure you get a DVD burner and ALSO burn a backup to DVD. Be very careful about the backup software you use. If it uses a proprietary data format, the backup is only good as long as you have working software to recover it. Consider just copying files to the DVD rather than letting the backup software do it. If your work is valuable, consider getting a bank safe deposit box and putting the DVDs in it. The box will cost you $50 - 60 a year and has many many advantages.

In addition to all that, I back up my desktop file to my laptop and my laptop files to my desktop. I am completely sure this sounds paranoid, but I have never lost a file since I've been doing these three backups.

Just my thoughts. Good luck.

cghubbell

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

12/20/2004 07:53:45 PM · #22

Backing up to DVD (make sure you do double or triple sets) is probably the most economical method, especially as long as you're fitting onto a single disc. The economy stays positive as you go into multiple discs, but the time gets annoying.

A good balance is to add an external usb hard drive. Maxtor has excellent customer services, but in my experience I've had to use it too often. Western Digital is popular in the consumer arena, but Seagate is the company most trusted in commercial critical data storage. Their stuff is top-notch. Don't worry at all about speed. It will back up plenty fast enough compared to discs no matter what transfer rate it has.

Best bet is a two-tiered backup strategy. Make your near-line recovery device the external disc (fast and easy), and burn a monthly master copy to DVD(s) which you store off-site anywhere. You don't even need a backup program; just store your work in a convenient folder (c:\photos) and drag n drop it onto the external disk. If you're at < 4 gb now, it will be a long time before you need to worry about compression and all the other goodies. Keep it simple, and highly compatible.

Once in a while, move your photos directory aside on the desktop / laptop and practice restoring from the backups. You'd be surprised sometimes at how much damage can be done by a slight misconfiguration which you'll never note until you need to restore. Best to test BEFORE you need it.