Today is World Backup Day

Although really, everyday should be backup day. Here, I made a list:

The Minimal to Backup

– password manager file (you have one right)
– contacts
– calendar
– bookmarks

Things to remember:

– always backup twice – here

– do big backups in chunks  – here

– if you’re using the cloud, here’s what your data looks like this

– and if everything goes west, data can still be recovered from this

 

 

Your Data is Stored in Here

This is a data centre.

If you store stuff in the cloud,
this is what those photos & files
look like in real life

1 – housed in a well-ventilated building
2 – a backup power supply, to ensure continuity
3 – through the doors is your stuff

This would be considered a small-ish data centre.

A big one, probably like Facebook’s, would use the same amount of electricity as a small town.

There’s environmental controls like air conditioning (these places get very hot), and fire suppression systems.

Even if you use the cloud to back up your stuff, it’s a good idea to make your own physical back up, and to make two.

 

 

Do Big Backups in Chunks

A screenshot of making a new hard drive of all my files, since 2007.

What happens when you drag-and-drop the entire contents, from one drive to another.

730 GBs and 4 days?!  My laptop audibly kicked up a fuss.

It probably could do it, but in the same way, it’s like before you start running, you take a big punch to the stomach.  You could, but not optimally.

Instead, transfer chunks of files, a handful of GBs at a time.

Here’s how to properly back up your files.

 

 

Always Backup Twice

Make 2 copies of the same back up.

1 copy stays with you, and 1 copy is stored offsite

Because imagine your house burnt down,
with both your computer and backup inside.

Alternative Method

Subscribe to an online backup service.

It automatically searches your computer for new files, then remotely saves and stores them for you.

(I use the main method, I haven’t decided yet if I trust the cloud)