Five Backup Services Compared

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://timhoeck.com/2008/08/prevent-a-disaster' target='_blank'>http://timhoeck.com/2008/08/prevent-a-disaster</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"How much data do you have on your computer? Is it important to you - no, is it irreplaceable? So much of our data is stored on our computers nowadays, yet so many do not have a plan in place in case of emergencies. Maybe you, like me, have all your data on a separate drive. Maybe you even have it on an external drive. What would happen if you turned on your computer today, to find out that the hard drive has failed?"</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1220307879.usr1.jpg" /></p><p>I came across this blog entry quite randomly, but a fellow (presumably) named Tim Hoeck has written up a very detailed analysis of five different backup/sync services. It's a great read if you're looking for a new backup service. Myself, <a href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/90232/goodbye-carbonite-hello-mozy.html" target="_blank">I switched to Mozy</a> a couple of months ago, and I'm happy with the service so far. Elephantdrive looks quite compelling though - I'll have to look at it when my Mozy subscription is up for renewal in two years. SugarSync looks like a great product too, but they're really not geared up to take on the unlimited backup for $5 gang just yet.</p>

[Phillip Dyson]

My Plan is to ultimately purchase a WHS appliance. And use one of these services from there. I hope Mozy is working on a WHS add-in.

Question: If I run the backup on one computer, then decide to it to another computer, can I just install the client on the second computer, then run a restore the Mozy files to the new computer?

I wouldn't want to have to copy the files locally then have to run a complete backup again.

[onlydarksets]

Here's a new one: Oosah (http://www.oosah.com/)

1TB (yes, TERABYTE) of online media storage! I guess I could backup my music there to have access everywhere, but I use Simplify Media for that. The iPhone interface is pretty slick, though. A native client with local sync would be even better!

OK, it doesn't really fit into the backup thread, since it only does media files, but it's still an interesting piece of the puzzle, since media files tend to be the bulk of people's data. In combination with another solution, it's an interesting idea.

[Phillip Dyson]

I spoke with Mozy about WHS support for their home plan. Ironically they only support it for the Pro version.

I guess they're fine with ignoring the "Home" in Windows Home Server. :)