avoidingdigitaldisasters-ptime.pdf
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Avoiding Digital Disasters
This web-site was created after I lost my personal web-site project due to my computer error.  Believe me--taking time to back up your data is a critically important thing to do.

This link has excellent information on backing up your computer data:  http://www.archives.com/experts/macentee-thomas/do-you-know-where-your-genealogy-data-is.html

Make a list of the data you have stored on your computer:
  • Do you have this data stored in another location?
  • What would it do to your life to lose this data?

Create a Personal Back-up Plan:
  •  Identify the data (files, photographs, emails etc. etc. etc.) that you need to back up.
  • Clean up your computer files and folders.
  • Create a formal back-up plan that suits your needs.  
  • Write your plan down and prioritize the steps.
  • Make the time in your schedule to complete these steps.
  • Obtain any needed hardware, storage media or software you want to use.  
  • Make sure you understand how your automated or online back-ups work.
  • Back up some test data and then retrieve the data.  Can it be easily retrieve in a useable form?
  • FOLLOW THROUGH WITH YOUR PLAN!  I have learned that it saves me a lot of time if I keep notes about what I do each time I back-up.
  • Schedule regular times to update your back-up files.  Consider using some sort of automated back-up either on an external hard drive or online.  Schedule time to perform the back-up on your calendar and keep the appointment with yourself!
  • Make sure your plan includes keeping your back-ups current with new file formats and technology.

Dropbox and Similar Programs:
  I personally use Dropbox (dropbox.com) to sync my files between computers.  This gives me the additional benefit of storing these files in “the cloud.”  I spent several hours searching reviews for online syncing and/or back-up programs.  The general consensus was that Dropbox was the most straight forward, user friendly of these programs.  Other programs to consider are: 
Syncplicity  http://www.syncplicity.com/
I Drive http://www.idrive.com/
Box  https://www.box.com/
Amazon Cloud Drive (https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/learnmore)

FILE BACKUP:
Backblaze:  http://www.backblaze.com/
Mozy:  http://mozy.com/
Carbonite:  www.carbonite.com/


There are many more programs available.