BackupNet
If you've ever used backup software before,
BackupNet will look very familiar to you. The process is very simple.
- Register for your free 15-day trial with one of BackupNets providers like My Data Haven. You can find a list of all the providers here.
- Download and install the BackupNet software.
- Once installed, click on the boxes next to the files or folders you want to back up.
- Click Backup.
If you've got a speedy connection, this will work like a dream. If you've got a 56K modem, you can still do it, but back up less than 30MB and set your backup to run overnight. Like most backup programs, you can set it to go at any time. You can also choose incremental backup so it only backs up those files that have changed.
To restore your data, simply do the same thing you did for Backup, but select the "Restore" tab. Check the files and folders you want to restore and then click "Restore."
My Data Haven's standard plan for BackupNet is 200MB of storage for $5.95 a month, with options for higher plans.
There are many programs like BackupNet that fill the need for standard backup. And many work surprisingly well. Theres a new player in town that may blow away everyone. Though not yet perfect, its new services may already have made standard online backup a forgotten market.
FusionOne
Who has only one computer these days? Not many. Since you've got more than one computer, you've probably got more than one version of every file. So how do you get all your computers-- home, work, laptop, Mac, PC, even your PDA, two-way pager, and cell-phone-- talking together?
FusionOne will back up all of them and make sure they're all sharing the same current information. So, not only will FusionOne back up your information, it can synch it too.
Fresh Gear's Jim Louderback has already tested and written about FusionOne.
Read his article for the complete scoop.
Since Jim's review, FusionOne has introduced a new service called
eDock, which lets you access all your files from any Web browser. It's a great service for anyone on the road who doesn't have his or her laptop with them at all times.
FusionOne WARNING: FusionOne is not a true online backup program. If you accidentally delete a file from your computer, it does not give you the option to restore it. You can restore it through another computer, or by accessing the file through the Wweb via the eDdock service. Also, FusionOne is designed to back up data only. It won't back up executables or other system files. FusionOne claims that's designed to protect your systems.
The "set it up once and then forget about it" concept drives interest in online backup programs. Most people usually have good intentions when they begin their backup routine. They want to back up because they know how important it is. The problem is we all get busy or lazy and we simply forget.
With online backup, you set up your computer to back up at any time-- when you log out, shut down the computer, at certain time intervals, or just a few times each day. With FusionOne, you can even tell it to only synchronize when you're not using the computer.
Ask yourself three questions before you begin online backup.
- Do I only want to back up a few megabytes worth of data?
- Do I have horrible self-management skills?
- Do I feel my data is secure on a remote computer?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, then give online backup a go.
