# Best ways to back up my data? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 23, 2012, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583 "2012-03-23T05:55:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/1 "2012-03-23T05:55:15Z")
For years now, I’ve been backing up my Mac’s data with writable CDs (and recently, DVDs). However, it takes forever, and trying it tonight got me a (rather infamous, if Google is any indication) error code (0x8002006E) at the VERY END of the process that pretty much junked the disk, as far as I can tell. To top it all off, I’ve long gotten tired of having bunches of old, obsolete backup disks all over the place. So I’ve decided that I’d like to get away from that. I’ve also been using software to clone my HD onto an external HD. That’s all well and good, but I’d love to return to “back up two different ways” again. I’ve considered outside “storage” like the (ugh, I feel a little dirty even saying this) “cloud,” but am concerned about reliability (whether it’ll always be there for me), price, and most of all, security. What would you all suggest? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/2 "2012-03-23T10:30:31Z")
I use Dropbox, SugarSync or [Cx.com](http://Cx.com) for all my critical data. They all offer real time automatic syncing your data into the cloud. Combined you can even get 2+5+10gb+more with referrals free. All my non-critical data gets backed up to very large external harddrives. Why not just clone to two hard drives if redundancy is important to you? ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/3 "2012-03-23T10:35:19Z")
> [@Harmonix](#): > > All my non-critical data gets backed up to very large external harddrives. > > Why not just clone to two hard drives if redundancy is important to you? Ditto this is the cheapest and best way to go, they are pricey right now because of a supply issue but if you are using writable DVDs currently you don’t need that much space. Get two external hard drives and back up to both. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/4 "2012-03-23T19:35:56Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Ditto this is the cheapest and best way to go, they are pricey right now because of a supply issue but if you are using writable DVDs currently you don’t need that much space. Get two external hard drives and back up to both. Well, the DVDs only get personal files and some preferences (and even then, not ALL of them); they don’t cover my applications and other such stuff (which is why I like backing up to a HD; I get a bootable copy). Thus, yes, the second HD thing is definitely a possibility; I guess I was “hoping” to get a second solution that didn’t have an equal chance of failure as my first (although I suppose even the DVDs can always fail or not be good somehow, even after a successful burn, and they also have disadvantages). More opinions welcome! ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/5 "2012-03-23T19:54:09Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > For years now, I’ve been backing up my Mac’s data > > What would you all suggest? Time Machine. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/6 "2012-03-23T19:58:40Z")
Isn’t that software? I have that already; it came with the OS. I’m asking more about medium than software method. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/7 "2012-03-23T20:03:32Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Isn’t that software? I have that already; it came with the OS. > > I’m asking more about medium than software method. Hard Drive. Clone it every once in a while. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/8 "2012-03-23T20:06:12Z")
Ah, so you agree with the previous posts that two hard drives is the way to go here? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/9 "2012-03-23T20:07:54Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > Time Machine. This. Time Machine to an external HD is going to be the fastest, cheapest, easiest and most reliable backup. DVDs are expensive and have poor longevity. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/10 "2012-03-23T20:10:21Z")
OK, well, there seems to be some growing consensus, so I’d like to probe more into Time Machine. My current HD backup uses a USB cable to plug into the computer. Time Machine, from my memory, uses (or can use) wireless. If I use Time Machine (I currently use Carbon Copy Cloner) to backup to a second external HD, do I _need_ that expensive 2 TB Apple Time Machine wireless HD? ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/11 "2012-03-23T20:10:32Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Ah, so you agree with the previous posts that two hard drives is the way to go here? Most definitely. The happiest day of my life was the day I plugged a new drive into my Mac and it asked me if I wanted to use it for Time Machine. I said “Yes” and my life has been pure bliss ever since. The pile of backup discs I was collecting went straight to the trash. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/12 "2012-03-23T20:12:59Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Time Machine, from my memory, uses (or can use) wireless. > > If I use Time Machine (I currently use Carbon Copy Cloner) to backup to a second external HD, do I _need_ that expensive 2 TB Apple Time Machine wireless HD? No, you don’t need to buy the wireless drive (It has a name I can’t recall right now). Just plug in any old USB drive and tell Time Machine to get to work. ETA: Time Capsule is the name of the the wireless gadget that you don’t need. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/13 "2012-03-24T01:14:55Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > Time Machine. Oh! A product named “Time Machine!” I thought you were just being sarcastic! “Ya gonna need a time machine to get that data back. Too bad fer you!” ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/14 "2012-03-24T23:27:15Z")
Okay, then, since there seems to be consensus, any recommendations for brands? I forget what brand I have right now (it’s an internal HD in a casing), but I’ll take suggestions! ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/15 "2012-03-25T23:15:07Z")
Hmm. A [Slashdot thread](http://ask.slashdot.org/story/12/03/25/1734240/ask-slashdot-how-do-you-manage-your-personal-data) says I should be worried about what happens to my data if my apartment burns down or all my electronics get stolen, and that I should _really_ consider the cloud crap. What do you all think? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/16 "2012-03-25T23:59:51Z")
I think you should do both. The online one for security and the local one for convenience. But if you’re only going to do one - do the online one. I use Crashplan. Previously I used Amazon with Jungledisk, but Crashplan is cheaper. The rest of the family uses Mozy. Dropbox is also a solid choice, but kind of pricey. In addition to Crashplan, I have my music on Amazon’s cloud service. Any of these would work for you. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/17 "2012-03-26T00:37:05Z")
I only keep critical data in the cloud. Primarily I use Dropbox of which I have 13 GB of free space after many referrals. (Sugar sync offers 5gb and [cx.com](http://cx.com) offers 10gb.) I once had a laptop hard drive crash on me during a critical project. I popped in a new harddrive, installed windows and because dropbox live-syncs automatically it downloaded all my very latest data. I was up and running again in less then 2 hours with no loss of work. Priceless experience. I’m never going back. I don’t know if this is against the rules or not, but if you decide to sign up for dropbox consider using my referral link. > **[Dropbox.com](https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTM3MTYxMDA5?src=global9)** > > Dropbox helps you simplify your workflow. So you can spend more time in your flow. If you don’t want to refer me Then just use [www.dropbox.com](http://www.dropbox.com) ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/18 "2012-03-26T00:48:40Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > I think you should do both. The online one for security and the local one for convenience. But if you’re only going to do one - do the online one. > > I use Crashplan. Previously I used Amazon with Jungledisk, but Crashplan is cheaper. The rest of the family uses Mozy. Dropbox is also a solid choice, but kind of pricey. In addition to Crashplan, I have my music on Amazon’s cloud service. Any of these would work for you. After browsing the Crashplan website, it looks pretty decent at a good price. How is your experience with the mobile application is it good? If you have experience with it, how does it compare with dropbox or sugar sync app? Does it have live photo syncing? (take a photo on the phone, it uploads to the cloud). Thanks in advance for your input. ---
**Author:** ![Bemused](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Bemused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bemused)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/19 "2012-03-26T01:03:17Z")
Since Mac OS-X is a \*nix, you should have rsync available. I use rsync for backing up every system I maintain, and I follow the same basic pattern for each platform, though the details vary a bit. On the business server, I have another machine connected across one segment of the LAN, and I do my daily backups using rsync to that other machine. That machine’s entire purpose for existing is to keep the backups for the business server. On my workstation, which has 6 hard drives in it, I back up the system daily from one hard drive to another, and all my personal files (my /home directory) from one hard drive to another. On a weekly basis I ship a copy of both backups to an external drive, and I take the external drive offsite. Daily backups are kept for one week. Once a week on Saturday night, the oldest daily backup is redefined as a weekly backup and kept indefinitely. Recovery, on those occasions where it is necessary, is a trivial exercise and I NEVER lose data. Here are the rsync scripts I use on my workstation: dosysbackup (runs nightly at 4 AM) #!/bin/bash rm -rf /mnt/sda6/back/backup6 mv /mnt/sda6/back/backup5 /mnt/sda6/back/backup6 mv /mnt/sda6/back/backup4 /mnt/sda6/back/backup5 mv /mnt/sda6/back/backup3 /mnt/sda6/back/backup4 mv /mnt/sda6/back/backup2 /mnt/sda6/back/backup3 mv /mnt/sda6/back/backup1 /mnt/sda6/back/backup2 cp -al /mnt/sda6/back/backup0 /mnt/sda6/back/backup1 rsync -a --delete --exclude /dev --exclude /tmp --exclude /home --exclude /media --exclude /proc --exclude /sys --exclude /mnt --exclude /var/tmp --exclude /var/lib/mysql --exclude /var/cache / /mnt/sda6/back/backup0 rsync -a /mnt/sde1/var/lib/mysql /mnt/sda6/back/backup0/var/lib do home backup (nightly at 4:15AM) #!/bin/bash rm -rf /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup6 mv /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup5 /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup6 mv /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup4 /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup5 mv /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup3 /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup4 mv /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup2 /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup3 mv /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup1 /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup2 cp -al /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup0 /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup1 rsync -a --delete --exclude tmp --exclude .Mail/spam --exclude .Mail/trash /mnt/sde1/home /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup0 doweeklysysbackup (runs on sunday morning at 3:45 AM) #!/bin/bash dirname=`date`; mv /mnt/sda6/back/backup6 /mnt/sda6/back/weeklybackups/"$dirname" doweeklyhomebackup (runs Sun morning at 3:50 AM) #!/bin/bash dirname=`date`; mv /mnt/sdc9/homeback/backup6 /mnt/sdc9/homeback/weeklybackups/"$dirname" ---
**Author:** ![Bemused](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Bemused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bemused)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583/20 "2012-03-26T01:20:11Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Hmm. A [Slashdot thread](http://ask.slashdot.org/story/12/03/25/1734240/ask-slashdot-how-do-you-manage-your-personal-data) says I should be worried about what happens to my data if my apartment burns down or all my electronics get stolen, and that I should _really_ consider the cloud crap. > > What do you all think? I don’t put ANY data in “the cloud”. You don’t know who has access to it when you do, you are putting your trust into their backup and security procedures, and the record so far provides absolutely no confidence that you should trust any cloud provider. That said, I do pay for a couple of webservers that are located in different parts of the country, and I do sometimes encrypt critical data (usually projects I’m working on) and upload the encrypted files to the webserver. I would never put unencrypted source code or other project information up there. I also am root on our business server that is used as a repository for all the work done by all of us in the company, and all the work I do for that company resides on that server as well as on my workstation and in the other places I keep it. I do put some of the work I do for clients other than this company on that server (I am root, after all…and I am a partner in the business…) but I always encrypt it when I do that. I handle the dangers of fire and theft a number of ways. First, I usually wear a flash drive on a lanyard around my neck. That flash drive contains the latest versions of that data which changes most rapidly and that I don’t want to see get lost no matter what. As required (usually daily) I plug the flash drive in and back up that day’s work, regardless of what system I have been working on. Second, I have a couple of USB hard drives I use. I keep one at the lab and the other at home. From time to time (irregular intervals, based on how fast things change) I put a backup on the drive that is at home and take it to the lab. I then grab the drive that is at the lab and bring it home. Rinse, and repeat as often as necessary. If you don’t have a convenient lab or office to use, make arrangements with a friend or relative and swap drives on your periodic visits. Use fully encrypted USB drives so that if they get stolen or if someone unauthorized tries to access them, it can’t be done. As a result of these procedures, I always have typically 5 or more copies of my system and my /home directories floating around, all usually within a month of current. There will always be at least 2 and usually 3 copies of my very latest work, and usually at least 4 copies of work that is at least 24 hours old. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-back-up-my-data/616583.md?page=2)