Where Has All My Data Gone?
Several years ago I was "inspired" to write a number of parody songs about the medical transcription business, the Internet, and personal computing in general. One of the songs was an ode to the dangers of not backing up computer files entitled, "
Where Has All My Data Gone?" to the tune of "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" by Pete Seeger and Joe Hickerson. Suffice it to say this little ditty was born out of personal experience and leave it at that.
The fact of the matter is that backing up data is probably more important today than it was then, if for no other reason than that there's so much more of it. We've come a long way since the days of my first IBM PC-AT with its whopping 20 megabyte hard drive! As hard disk drives become capable of holding more and more data, the risk of losing important information due to hard drive failure or accidental deletion is more prevalent than ever. As with most things technological, it's not a matter of if a drive will fail, it's simply a matter of when.
The good news is that there is a wide variety of data backup options available at relatively low cost. While I may mention some specific companies or services by name, I'm not endorsing any of them. Take this information for what it's worth and do your own research, and decide which option is right for you.
When it comes to backing up computer data for the average personal or small business consumer, your choices fall into two basic categories: onsite and offsite, with the "site" being the location of your PC. You can either back up your data locally, using physical media connected directly to your computer, or you can use a remote backup service which stores copies of your files on a server somewhere on the Internet. Examples of local backup media include removable optical media such as CD-ROM/DVD-ROM disks, fixed internal or external hard drives, or USB flash drives. Remote backup services include Carbonite, iDrive, etc. Again, I only mention specific companies to give you examples of what's available.
There are pros and cons to each option. Backing up files locally is much faster compared to online remote backup services, and cheaper in the long run. The cost of huge-capacity USB external hard drives has fallen to ridiculous levels recently, with 500 GB units available for as little as $50 from some online vendors. While external backup options can protect against hard drive failure and accidental deletion, they may not provide protection from physical damage such as fire or flood if the backup media is kept on the same premises as the source drive. And although most external hard drives are relatively portable, the larger sizes do require an external power source and can be somewhat bulky, which is less handy for traveling. Some external hard drives are sold with backup software, but free or inexpensive backup utilities for use with external media are also readily available online.
Online remote backup services provide protection in case of hard drive failure or physical damage, and are available anywhere you can find an Internet connection. However, the speed of online backups is much slower than with local media, and there is an ongoing monthly or yearly expense for as long as you use the service. Online backup services provide web-based and/or locally installed software to facilitate the backup process.
Both local and remote backup methods can be configured to your own specific needs. You can back up only data files, or back up your entire hard drive including program files in case you ever need to do a complete system restoration. Both options generally provide both scheduled and on-demand backups.
Whichever option you choose, don't put off backing up your data another day if you can help it. In many cases you won't get any advance notice of when your hard drive is about to fail; one minute it will work and the next minute it won't. Additionally, backing up your data is insurance against the possibility (infinitesimally remote, I'm sure) that you or someone using your PC might hit the Delete button once too often.
Where has all my data gone, long time passing
Where has all my data gone, long time ago
I never really understood, didn't back up like I should
When will I ever learn, when will I ever learn?