How to Choose an Online Backup Service

This week I have been testing the various online backup services, both paid and free, and here’s a summary of how these service compare against each other.

 

Why use an online backup service?

While it is easy to create a local backup of userr computer, the physical media where user are storing the backups, like the DVDs or external disk, may not be very reliable in the long term. The other disadvantage is that local backups don’t always happen in real-time.

It is therefore recommended that user switch to an online backup service – these are inexpensive and will automatically copy userr computer’s data over the Internet to a more secure off-site location (aka the data center) in near real-time without userr involvement.
 

Online Backup Services with Free Storage

If user only have a limited amount of data (< 2 GB) on userr computer that user want to store in the cloud, any of the following backup services should solve userr problem without user having to shell out a penny.

All the above online backup services (except for SkyDrive) work in a similar way – user get a small client to userr desktop, mark the local folders that user want to backup online and the tool will automatically monitor and upload files from these folders to the cloud. Once userr files are backed up, user can also access them online except in Mozy.

Of all these services, my favorites are SugarSync and ZumoDrive. They offer almost an identical set of features and are extremely easy to configure. SugarSync is available for Mac and Windows while ZumoDrive also offers a Linux client.

While Dropbox is also an awesome service for file synchronization and online backup, it has one major limitation – it will only backup files and folders that are placed inside the Dropbox folder. Hopefully this will change in future versions.

Subscription Based Online Backup Services

When 2 GB is insufficient to store the massive number of photographs, emails, documents and other important files that are piled up on userr hard drive, user can go for a subscription based service. Here are some good options along with their pros and cons.

1. Backblaze (tour) – The true ‘set it and forget it’ backup service

• Extremely easy to setup. The service will automatically backup userr entire computer excluding folders that contain the OS and userr applications.
• If user create a new folder on userr computer, user don’t have to remember to add it to the backup queue.
• The option to restore files from the backup could have been a bit simpler.

2. Carbonite (tour) – Makes data recovery really simple

• Colored dots on userr files and folders indicate the status of userr backup at a glance. No dot means the file is not selected for backup.
• You can remote access userr backups from anywhere using the browser and there are apps for iPhone and BlackBerry.
• The restore function in Carbonite is done pretty nicely and user can recover files using Windows Explorer itself.
• Carbonite’s web interface is clean but their desktop client looks old and a bit untidy.

3. Mozy (tour) -  The original cloud backup service

• Mozy will automatically group userr files and folders into “sets” like documents, emails, photos, music, etc. so it becomes easy for user to select stuff that user want to backup online.
• In addition to online backup, the more recent version of Mozy can also back up userr data to an external disk.
• Mozy offers quite a few easy ways to restore files from the backup.

4. iDrive (tour) – For quick and easy backups

• When user start iDrive, it offers a folder tree of userr computer – just select the folders that user want to backup online and user’re done.
• You can also add files and folders to the backup queue with a simple right click inside Windows Explorer.
• You can restore data through the iDrive desktop client. Individual files and folders can also be recovered from iDrive’s website.
• Their Family plan can help user backup multiple computers to a single IDrive account.

5. CrashPlan (tour) – One backup service for all platforms

• With CrashPlan, user can easily backup userr files to multiple locations including the cloud, to another folder on the same hard-disk, to other computer on userr home network or to any other Internet connected computer (social backup).
• The desktop client is intuitive and won’t confuse user with a plethora of options.
• CrashPlan is among the very few online backup services that’s available on all platforms including Windows, Mac and Linux.

6. Jungle Disk (tour) – Metered online storage

• Jungle Disk uses Amazon S3 for data storage.
• You can use a single license to backup multiple computers.
• Jungle Disk supports Windows, Mac and Linux.

7. SugarSync (tour) – Access userr backups from any mobile device

• SugarSync works in near real-time and will immediately back up any file changes that are made in one of the monitored folders.
• You can easily access userr backups over the web or from any of userr mobile devices through apps.
• SugarSync is not integrated with Windows Explorer and therefore it is a bit cumbersome to add new folders for backup.

8. ZumoDrive (tour) – Simple and elegant

• ZumoDrive is extremely easy to configure – just right click any folder on userr computer and add it to the ZumoDrive cloud.
• Restoring files from ZumoDrive may involve some effort. It offers ZIP archives of userr folders that user’ll have to manually extract to the right locations.

Online Backup Services Compared

The following chart compares the cost, available storage and other essential features of all the previously mentioned online backup services.

Which Online Backup Service Should You Use?

If user are looking for an extremely simple way to backup userr entire Mac or Windows PC without having to select individual files and folders, go with BackBlaze. It offers unlimited storage and requires no configuration but restoring data from BackBlaze is not very convenient.

SugarSync is another brilliant option for creating online backups as it works across multiple computers (and platforms) and user can access userr data on a variety of devices. However, if user have loads of data to backup, SugarSync can get a bit pricey.

The backup service that has impressed me the most is CrashPlan – it’s available for Mac, Windows and Linux. What’s unique about CrashPlan is that it also can create local backups on other computers that are either owned by user or userr friends. Thus data restoration will become extremely fast in the event of a hard disk failure because user won’t have to get backups from the Internet.

The downside with CrashPlan is that it doesn’t offer web access to userr backups. If user see this as a limitation, go with Carbonite. It integrates very nicely with Windows Explorer, user can backup any file or folder with a simple right-click and all userr files can accessed over the web anytime, anywhere. Data restoration is also easy with Carbonite.

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Tips On Cloud Service Providers Chicago

By Jayne Rutledge

Cloud computing has gained a footing in the business world in the last few years. Successful adoption of these tasks is however pegged on the ability of a client to hire the right cloud service providers Chicago. By passing the procurement process could see a firm choose the wrong company as important details may not be considered during hiring.

View the process as the same as any other process that could be followed when locating a provider. The search for an IT firm is often accompanied by the assessment of a combination of different factors. All these are factors that must be considered in this type of computing as well.

Just like is the case when sourcing for an IT task, it will be important to assess what the business needs. Without a careful assessment of what applications are required, and by which department, the process may be unable to proceed further. Ensure you have a careful understanding of what is required by each department within the firm.

IT is governed by the successful adoption of one or more of the existing IT frameworks. A company should be able to identify a framework that works for it and then gear towards its implementation in the firm systems. Only the needed parts should be adopted as opposed to adopting all that is available.

You will also need to make sure that data and apps are classified. This should be classified based on their importance to the firm. You must also ensure that all the right parameters are in place to guide the data classification. When classified, it means that unauthorized individuals cannot access it.

It is important for any company to have a customized procurement process. This is the process that will be followed by the firm managers and other professionals when sourcing for any task providers. The procurement process should also be built in such a way that it is very easy to comply with and follow at all times.

Management and negotiation of contracts will be a very important asset. The contract you manage will often determine the services that will be provided to you. Ensure you manage a good contract that does not result in a lock in situation for you.

A CSP will often set its own conditions when working with a client. It is upon the client to make sure that he carefully considers the conditions that have been set by the CSP and then determine when to accept them. If the CSP is not willing to negotiate the terms, you could consider going in via use of an integrator.

All responsibilities must be carefully shared out. It is often possible to outsource the processing, but responsibility cannot be outsourced. Ensure you have a clear division of what each party is responsible for in terms of actions and tasks that must be executed by each party.

When looking for cloud service providers Chicago clients should perform their own certification of a CSP. The certification will include making sure that it has complied with all the set requirements for the tasks that it is to offer. Through certification, the business is able to determine whether the CSP is really in a position to offer the tasks it says it can offer.

About the Author:

You can visit www.primetelecommunications.com for more helpful information about Information On Cloud Service Providers Chicago.

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Grameenphone GP 3G Service Roadmap in Bangladesh

The leading Mobile phone operator of Bangladesh Grameenphone (GP) enters into a new era by winning the First phase of 3G Bid with secured 10 MHz of spectrum. Recently Grameenphone has announced 3G (Third Generation) network roadmap for its customers.Now present time Gp give 3G service in Dhaka particular area. But with in March 2014 Grameenphone 3G service spread all over the 64 districts. 

Grameenphone 3G Roadmap in Bangladesh:

18 September, 2013 : Beta Testing in Dhaka

October, 2013 : Official launching in some parts of Dhaka.

10-15th October : Chittagong (Agrabad)

November, 2013 : Naryangonj, Gazipur

14th November : Chittagong (Khulshi)

December, 2013 : all 7 divisional cities

24th December : Chittagong (Pahartoli), CoxsBazar, Saint Martin

29th December : Chittagong (Halisohor, CTG epz, Potengga, CTG University,CUET)

March , 2014 : All 64 districts of Bangladesh 

So within March 2014 all GP Subscribers are Enjoying test of 3G Services.

Tags:

Grameenphone 3G coverage area, gp 3G in bangladesh, High speed 3G services of bangladesh, 3G services    all divisional cities.

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