| Directing a small business can be stressful enough | | | | DVD-RW or DVD+RW (Digital Versatile Disk - |
| without the additional worry of losing your computer | | | | Rewritable) can be saved to, rewritten and erased |
| files. Knowing how best to protect this data will help | | | | multiple times but again, has more storage capacity |
| your anxiety levels and may just save you a lot | | | | and faster speed. The DVD minus and plus are just |
| heartache should your hard drive pack up. Below is a | | | | different types with the same functionality.c) Flash |
| quick and simple summary of different data back up | | | | memory stick - A small portable memory stick that is |
| methods and the upsides and downsides of each: | | | | able to hold up to 2Gb or more data. It is surprisingly |
| What is backup? | | | | lightweight and can be used with any PC or laptop |
| Backup is the duplication of computer documents | | | | that has a USB port. |
| onto portable media so that if your PC or laptop | | | | The advantages … More hardwearing and |
| crashes or corrupts, files aren't completely lost. | | | | portable than CD's or DVD's and still perfect for |
| Backup is typically routine in large companies but is | | | | back-up. Memory sticks are also fast and rewritable. |
| often neglected by the self-employed and small | | | | The disadvantages… More expensive than |
| offices. Some suggest backing up files and duplicating | | | | other backup options and the convenience and |
| your hard drive every week. There are a couple | | | | compatibility of the Flash memory stick raises the |
| choices - inhouse or Internet backup. | | | | chance of virus infection or physical misplacement. |
| Backing up inhouse: | | | | Other inhouse options: |
| The following is a list of inhouse devices. A significant | | | | For the sake of completeness, I have included |
| number of these also double as tools used to | | | | floppy-discs and zip drives aswell in case you are |
| transfer data between PCs and/or laptops:a) CD's - | | | | using these. Although useful, you need to be aware |
| There are many types of CD with different | | | | that most new PCs and laptops do not include floppy |
| capabilities. To confuse us they are known by similar | | | | disc or zip drives so if you are thinking of updating |
| acronyms; CD-R, CD-RW, CD+RW, and DDCD. | | | | your hardware you will eventually need to consider |
| CD-R (Compact Disk - Recordable) is a CD that can | | | | migrating your data to a more up-to-date device.d) |
| be recorded to only once. It typically has capacity for | | | | Floppy disks - A floppy is a 3.5" removable magnetic |
| up to 700 megabytes of files. Perfect for ... storing | | | | disk. Great for people who use their PC or laptop for |
| photos or other permanent files. Not so appropriate | | | | personal finance and projects that must be |
| for ... transferring files, because they can only be | | | | continuously saved but not so ideal for large amounts |
| used once. | | | | of data as floppy disks don't have a great storage |
| CD-RW/CD+RW - A CD-RW (Compact Disk | | | | capacity.e) Zip Drives - A zip drive is a small, square |
| Rewritable) and CD+RW can be saved onto as often | | | | shaped magnetic disc that is perfect for backups |
| as wanted. Data can be overwritten and erased. | | | | your Computer. The 100Mb size holds the equivalent |
| Otherwise, the CD-RW is the same as the CD-R. If it | | | | of seventy floppy-disks. They also are sold in a 250 |
| wasn't for their limited durability, CD-RW's and | | | | megabyte size. However, the majority of computers |
| CD+RW's could be saved to indefinitely. Perfect for | | | | don't have a zip disc drive installed and there are |
| ...transferring or updating data. Not so good for... | | | | differences of opinion on how long they will be |
| holding important permanent documents - in case | | | | around for. |
| they are accidentally erased. | | | | Backing up on the Internet: |
| Double Density CD (DDCD) - This disk has a more | | | | Another backup option for home businesses is to |
| expansive storage capacity than a CD-R or CD-RW. | | | | upload your digital data to an Internet site for |
| Good for… hard-drive backups and storing | | | | archiving. If your computer crashes you can simply |
| archival files.b) DVD's - Although DVD's have become | | | | download them from the site. Examples of such |
| more associated with films, they can also hold audio | | | | websites are Backup Defender and My Backup but |
| and data files; hence the name Digital Versatile Disc. | | | | there are scores of others. |
| DVD-ROM/DVD-R is similar to a home entertainment | | | | These websites have to be paid for their services |
| DVD, but designed for PCs. The DVD-ROM stores | | | | but can remove the hassle and security risks out of |
| files in the same manner as the CD-ROM. The | | | | your data storage process. |
| pros… greater storage capability - saves more | | | | Article by David Haysom |
| files and is faster than a CD. The cons… | | | | David is the eCommerce Manager at OfficeRocket an |
| DVD-ROM's can be saved to only once. | | | | online distributor of office supplies to the New |
| DVD-RW and DVD+RW - Similar to the CD-RW, a | | | | Zealand home business market. |