Online backup service

[aznaphrodite]

I did a search on past topics looking for recommendations on online backup services and the latest thread was from over 2 years ago so I thought I'd ask for new recs.

Which online backup service do you use or would recommend? I've heard about Carbonite, Xdrive, idrive, and Mozy but I'd like to hear some real experiences.

Right now, I've got back 25 GB that I backup but this just keeps growing, especially now that I've got new camera and the photos are 3 MB each!!

Thanks in advance!

[Cubsfan]

I've used Carbonite for a couple of years. I really like it. Takes a long time for initial backup (at least for my 60GB), but once it all got backup up it keeps up really well.

For $5, it's hard to beat it really. One feature that they added (and I think Mozy has too) is the ability to 'own' your own key. Basically so only you, and not them, have access to your data. Good for security, really bad if you lose your key :)

[wung]

i've also used Carbonite before and liked it. but i'm not using it now because i'm looking for more of an online archiving service, but none is available so far. I don't want to have to keep pictures or music on my laptop to be backed up ... sometimes i want to free up space but have it backed up online ... which i'm using flickr for but none for my music so far.

[attgig]

with having both a laptop and desktop (with tons of storage), I've decided to bypass online storage services, and go for fileshare (now livesync):
https://sync.live.com/foldersharetolivesync.aspx


has both mac and pc clients, and works really well in syncing my multiple computers with relative ease (and my desktop is always on, so my essential data is replicated 3 times counting all my computers pretty much seamlessly), and all free.


that's just my solution.

[Cubsfan]

with having both a laptop and desktop (with tons of storage), I've decided to bypass online storage services, and go for fileshare (now livesync):
https://sync.live.com/foldersharetolivesync.aspx


has both mac and pc clients, and works really well in syncing my multiple computers with relative ease (and my desktop is always on, so my essential data is replicated 3 times counting all my computers pretty much seamlessly), and all free.


that's just my solution.

I'd done that, but, at least for me, that didn't protect me form a house fire or something. The idea that my files were probably somewhere in another state gave me some measure of comfort.

[aznaphrodite]

I'd done that, but, at least for me, that didn't protect me form a house fire or something. The idea that my files were probably somewhere in another state gave me some measure of comfort.

Exactly. That's why I'm looking for an online service. I currently backup to an external hard drive but if my house burns down, that will be useless. Then I thought about backing up to USB drives and putting them into a safety deposit box at the bank but if something hits our whole town (like a tornado or hurricane), then those might be lost too so I think an online backup service will be the way to go.

[mechmike0034]

I'd go with two years of web hosting for cheap (http://www.gotapex.com/1293906-post1.html) and a copy of Cobian Backup (http://www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianbackup.htm), which will do scheduled FTP/SFTP backups to a remote server.

This requires a little bit of configuration, but it is easier than it would seem. Plus, you can't beat the price.

[ray]

I backup my photos online using Amazon S3 services. You'll need to use a third party program like http://www.jungledisk.com to access your S3 account, but once you've configured everything it's easy to upload and retrieve your files.

Amazon S3 only charges you for what you use and the prices are very very reasonable.

http://aws.amazon.com/s3/

prices:

http://aws.amazon.com/s3/#pricing

[attgig]

another microsoft solution:
skydrive.live.com
25 gigs free