Backup Now or Pay Later

by D.B. Grady


Data recovery is a big business, and when your computer crashes, you learn just how big it is. The cost of restoring lost documents, music, and email can run into the thousands, and you can't even write the technician a check, because your Quicken data is gone, too.

For many computer users, backing up data falls on the same list as cleaning the garage and organizing the attic. In years past, this was understandable. Backups once required expensive software, arcane knowledge of directory structures and hours to spare for glacial file transfers. Today, however, there are online services and specialized hardware that automate the task with minimal user involvement. A few quick and inexpensive routines can save a fortune in data recovery when the worst happens.

Mozy is an online backup utility that stores your data on secure, remote servers (Off-site solutions are always the safest bet, protecting backups in the event of a house-fire, theft or other disaster.) From the Mozy client, select which files you want to copy and let the program do the rest. It encrypts and sends your data across the web for storage, and stays resident on your computer, monitoring files for changes. Subsequent updates are immediate and automatic, utilizing a feature called "differential backup," which updates only the portions of files that you change. As a result, your backup is always current. Mozy offers 2 gigabytes of free storage, which is enough to save documents and email. Unlimited storage, which can protect all of your data to include pictures, movies, and music, runs $4.95 a month. Mozy supports Windows and Macintosh operating systems. (Mozy: http://www.mozy.com)

If you prefer a local backup solution, or shy away from monthly fees, Maxtor offers the One Touch 4 Plus external hard drive. It connects to your computer USB port and supports two backup modes. The first copies your data with the push of a button, and can be used to share files between two computers. The second mode, called Safety Drill, creates a full bit-by-bit image of your system to include the operating system and protected files. This is the most thorough backup possible, but also the most time consuming, as it reboots your computer into special software to perform the task. The Maxtor One Touch 4 Plus comes in multiple sizes, the largest of which is 1 terabyte, or 1000 gigabytes, with a suggested retail price of $199.99. (Maxtor: http://www.maxtor.com)

Only Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple, Inc., would think one button is one-button-too-many when it comes to data protection. Last year, Apple introduced Time Capsule, a no-touch backup solution for Macs. Rather than plug directly into a computer, Time Capsule replaces your wireless router. It offers dual band Wi-Fi support and an integrated hard drive that allows every Apple computer on your network to backup concurrently. Time Machine, a free utility bundled with the most recent Mac operating system, enables you not only to restore a file, but also to travel "back in time" and restore previous versions of the file. Documents, as edited a week ago, a month ago, or, space permitting, a year ago can be recovered with equal simplicity. Configuration of Time Capsule could not be easier, as your Mac automatically finds it on the network, and immediately gets to work creating and maintaining a full image of your system. The Apple Time Capsule comes in 500-gigabyte and 1-terabyte varieties, the latter of which runs $499.00, Macs only (http://www.apple.com/timecapsule).

Data recovery is expensive. Data backup is cheap. Before your documents disappear, before your photo album is gone and your precious memories become precious memories, get on a backup plan. And whether you choose an online service or a local hardware solution, because it's automated, you'll finally have time to clean the garage.

Have a technology related question or advice for other users? Email me at tech@timessw.com.