| Deciding what information and data files you need to | | | | need to be much more selective if you're choosing a |
| backup online can depend on a few things. The first | | | | limited plan. |
| thing to consider is that most online backup services | | | | What you back up finally depends on whether or not |
| give you a certain amount of storage either free as | | | | an online service is your main method for backing up |
| a trial, or a limited "starter" account for a small fee. | | | | your data. If you already back up your data on |
| The second thing to consider in choosing what to | | | | company-owned or redundant servers, or just |
| back up is to ask yourself "what data could you | | | | external hard drives at home and simply use the |
| afford to lose if the inevitable actually happened?" | | | | online service to access files when you travel, it's a |
| While there are many online backup service options | | | | relatively easy decision. You will just back up those |
| to choose from, each level, or plan, usually has a free | | | | few vital files that you think you'll need when you |
| trial period. Plans can start out on the low end of | | | | are on the road. |
| about 100 megabytes. If you want additional storage, | | | | Ultimately, your decision on what data you need to |
| the subscription amounts will vary up from there, | | | | back up will be determined by the cost of possibly |
| depending on the amount of storage space you'll | | | | losing any or all of it. If you own your own business, |
| require. | | | | it may be wise to have someone take inventory of |
| Regarding the amount of data you have, you might | | | | what you have stored on your machines, then ask |
| have to make a few choices about what vital data | | | | the most pessimistic techie-types what would be the |
| you really need to back up in order to stay under the | | | | worst possible scenario that you would need to be |
| storage limit if you're going with a smaller plan. | | | | prepared for, and which data is most vital. |
| Something to consider: the type of data backup | | | | In the event of a catastrophe, an online service |
| choices you make may also depend on the speed of | | | | makes a good primary backup option, and you should |
| your internet connection. If you have DSL or Cable | | | | make sure that you back up all of your vital data no |
| high speed access, you'll be able to upload large | | | | matter how long it takes. It's just safer that way. A |
| amounts of data in a very short time. If you have a | | | | remote service will be well away from any disasters |
| dial-up connection, however, uploading data will could | | | | in your local - along with your vital data. |
| be a slow and tedious process. | | | | So, what data can you afford to lose? For the little |
| Most word processing documents and such are | | | | bit of time involved, and the small overall expense, |
| pretty small files, and you can back them up rather | | | | (like the cost of a good cup of coffee per day) you |
| quickly no matter what your internet connection | | | | can't afford not backing up your vital files. Especially if |
| speed. If you're planning to back up entire databases, | | | | the life of your business may depend on it. |
| graphic files or large applications though, you may | | | | |