I disagree with the article mostly because it doesn't make a clear enough distinction between backing up and archiving.
Backing up is about restoring workflow after a hardware or software error. The drive goes down the morning that the project is due and you don't have time to re-install all your applications and then pull your data off a CD you may not even have burned yet. A tape backup should be able to restore you to last nights snapshot on a new drive in about an hour. CDs are great for storing project files that are already out the door but I wouldn't rely on them for work in progress.
This is a superb way to backup/archive your files/softwares. Its not the only way, but it is true that it is as inexpensive as it is a solid method.
I'm sure that other ways are just as cheap, but what kind of security can these other methods guarrantee. How can online backup guarantee to be as fast when the client's ISP is right in the middle.
My agency uses an automatic daily tape backup that writes over the data from the day before. This is the temporary archive. When a job is complete, it goes in the permanent archive folder. When there is enough data to fill a cd, I burn 2 cds, so there always is a backup. Then I catalog the cd in Portfolio.
Submitted by superdupermd on Thu, 05/04/2000 - 11:34.
I agree with the problem and the solution mentioned is a valid one, however very homegrown. I chose "Disagree" because I felt the author overlooked online options. Even backups to tape or CD's run the risk of theft or damage and acts of nature. Online backup solutions usually offer the added security of being both offsite and redundant (saved to multiple locations). Products from Dantz and macbackup.com / imacbackup.com offer "hands-off" backups for Macs via the Web. An even better product is Connected.com's online backup, but it's unfortunately PC-only.
Backup vs. Archive
I disagree with the article mostly because it doesn't make a clear enough distinction between backing up and archiving.
Backing up is about restoring workflow after a hardware or software error. The drive goes down the morning that the project is due and you don't have time to re-install all your applications and then pull your data off a CD you may not even have burned yet. A tape backup should be able to restore you to last nights snapshot on a new drive in about an hour. CDs are great for storing project files that are already out the door but I wouldn't rely on them for work in progress.
Backup Archiving, its all the same. !!!
This is a superb way to backup/archive your files/softwares. Its not the only way, but it is true that it is as inexpensive as it is a solid method.
I'm sure that other ways are just as cheap, but what kind of security can these other methods guarrantee. How can online backup guarantee to be as fast when the client's ISP is right in the middle.
Why I agree
The friendly office psychopath unplugged my cd-writer in the middle of a backup and killed it. Luckily my scsi bus survived. So I've been there!!
Archiving Files
My agency uses an automatic daily tape backup that writes over the data from the day before. This is the temporary archive. When a job is complete, it goes in the permanent archive folder. When there is enough data to fill a cd, I burn 2 cds, so there always is a backup. Then I catalog the cd in Portfolio.
Don't forget to mention online backup
I agree with the problem and the solution mentioned is a valid one, however very homegrown. I chose "Disagree" because I felt the author overlooked online options. Even backups to tape or CD's run the risk of theft or damage and acts of nature. Online backup solutions usually offer the added security of being both offsite and redundant (saved to multiple locations). Products from Dantz and macbackup.com / imacbackup.com offer "hands-off" backups for Macs via the Web. An even better product is Connected.com's online backup, but it's unfortunately PC-only.