The Problem:Hard drives die, computers are stolen, information is inadvertently deleted and tragedies happen. One geek-ism to live by is this: If you haven't yet lost an important computer file, you surely will. And it's likely to happen sooner rather than later. What can you do to prepare for the problem?
The Solution:Fortunately, there are a number of both free and not-so-expensive ways to back up your information. The key is how to engineer the backup so it always happens routinely without your having to remember to do it.
The best backup system will be independent not only of your time but also of your computer. That is, it's a good idea to store your backed-up files offsite. If your computer and the room it's in is engulfed in flames or crushed by an errant satellite, at least you've got a perfectly good backup at another, undamaged location.
Lastly, be sure to test the backups from time to time. Feel confident not only that you are backing up the right files, but also that the files on the backup drive are not corrupted and can actually be opened. After all, you don't want your backup to include a nasty, file-munching virus that then devours your once perfectly good backup.
There are many options available for routine, secure backup. One example is
Freebyte Backup. Designed for Windows, this freeware program lets you select the files to be copied in several useful ways. You can copy all files in directories you specify. Or you can copy all files that end with file extensions that you specify. The web site walks you through the procedure step by step.
Another example is
BackUp My PC. It can restore a single file or your whole hard drive from the recordable CD/DVD backup.
As you implement your backup system, you need to make two basic decisions: which files to actually back up and how to physically store them. First, which files? You certainly want to save anything that you might need again. This includes financial information, pending project information, and documents you could not easily replace. You might also want to back up any email files that relate to unfinished business. Likewise, consider backing up your list of bookmarks, computer settings, and anything else you'd find an annoyance to find again.
Next, what should you back up on? You could use diskettes, tapes, removable hard disks, ZIP drives or CD-ROMs. If you're really serious about your data, you may want to consider Sony's 128 MB Micro VaultT with Fingerprint Access. It connects to your computer via your USB port and has a built-in fingerprint scanner.
This cutting-edge backup is more than simple storage. It also can be used to access web sites using your ID and password. All safe, all secure because your fingerprint is your ID.
Thus, it not only keeps your backup files in tip-top shape, it also keeps anyone else from seeing your data in the event you lose the tiny thing - after all, it's no bigger than a marking pen and barely the length of a car key.
