| You know that backing up your computer helps | | | | the version you need. |
| protect you from losing valuable data. Regular | | | | Backing up remotely can take time since it's using an |
| backups can make a huge difference if something | | | | internet connection. Text documents and project |
| happens to your computer. This could be anything | | | | files, however, don't take as long as larger files. Still, |
| from overwriting a needed file to a corrupt hard | | | | you may want to opt for a weekly backup rather |
| drive - or even a house fire. These situations are | | | | than a daily backup to go to your remote server. |
| unexpected and can never be planned for. However, | | | | Large data files will take much longer to transfer to |
| regular backups will make you prepared for them. | | | | your backup medium. These include audio files (.wav |
| There are many ways to back up your data, from | | | | files,.mp3 files, etc.) and video files (.avi,.mp4,.flv, etc.). |
| simple CD's or DVD's, to jump drives and external | | | | Picture files (.jpg,.gif,.png) can also take up a lot of |
| hard drives. You can even backup your data via your | | | | space once you have a lot of them - your entire |
| internet connection so it's safely stored on a remote | | | | photo collection for instance. If you're a graphic artist, |
| server. None of these backup solutions will do you | | | | your work files probably take up a large amount of |
| any good, however, if you don't have a regular | | | | space. |
| backup schedule in place (and follow it!) | | | | These bigger files can be backed up weekly. Some |
| There are some basic factors that will help you | | | | people prefer to back up their personal files on a |
| determine your backup schedule. | | | | monthly basis, since their video and audio collections |
| First, consider just how much data you'll be backing | | | | aren't changing too frequently. I recommend, |
| up. If you're backing up only small amounts of data, | | | | however, that you back up even personal files at |
| such as text documents, you can run frequent back | | | | least weekly. |
| ups: daily, or even hourly. These small files only take | | | | If you're backing up to a remote server via your |
| seconds to transfer to your backup medium. | | | | internet connection, schedule your backup to take |
| Larger sets of data, such as your email backups, | | | | place on a Friday evening. You can expect it to take |
| desktop publishing projects, and slide show | | | | a long time to complete the initial backup - days or |
| presentations can be backed up daily or weekly. | | | | even a couple of weeks. Most of these backups can |
| Many of the above document files are projects you'll | | | | be paused as needed. Once the initial backup is done, |
| have for work or school. You can and should back | | | | the weekly backups won't take long at all. Some may |
| these up frequently. I highly recommend a daily | | | | take slightly longer if you've added new audio, video, |
| backup to at least a local medium - an external hard | | | | or a lot of pictures, but in general the backups are |
| disk drive, for instance. This will ensure you have | | | | fast. |
| whatever data you need in case something happens | | | | Now that you've determined your back up schedule, |
| to your computer, and it will be very recent. It also | | | | stick to it! There are several software selections |
| protects you in the event that you accidentally | | | | available that will help you automate backing up to an |
| overwrite a file and you need to restore it. | | | | external hard disk drive. The online backup services |
| If your data is very important consider backing it up | | | | come with built in scheduling capabilities. |
| to a remote server via one of the online backup | | | | If you can't schedule your backups to occur |
| services every night. Look for a service that stores | | | | automatically, consider making it a regular part of |
| multiple copies of your backups (some store five or | | | | your schedule - starting it just before you leave the |
| even ten versions of your data.) You'll often not | | | | office for the evening (or for lunch) - or every Friday |
| realize you accidentally overwrote needed changes to | | | | night just before you go to bed. |
| a file until a day or two later. Having multiple revisions | | | | Regular backups will ensure that you have your data |
| stored on the server will allow you to revert back to | | | | when you need it - no matter what. |