In my experience most people only realize how important backups our until the need one. However, by then it is far too late. I’ve been in the computer business for 24 year now, and I have been burned a few times but I have also had more than once been saved by a faithful backups. It is nearly a religion for me on staying on top of backups. Last year at work our exchange server crashed hard and although a RAID drive saved us mostly there was a lot of corruppted files. Without a good tape backup we would have had many issues.
Now a few things about backups. first if you have not done one in a while, then go do one now and I’ll wait here for you. At home we have a home server which automattically backs up my laptop. I also have an online backup for files I need a lot of access to. Also keep in mind a redundant drive is not the same as a backup. You need some external data storage. You also need to keep the backup away from the computer, preferablly not in the same building. If you keep it a different part of the house at least there is a chance fire or water damage may not get both.
A backup does not need to be complicated. It could be as simple as a DVD or thumb drive. If you use web based email then there is no need to back that up. You can also use you web based mail to email yourself important files. You just have to decide what data you can’t afford to lose. That may be just a few gigs. However you backup, just do it on a regular basis.
Ain’t no use in closin’ the gate after the horse done got out.
Does doing backup require using the blinky light box thingy????
That’s awesome. That’s always the time users are ready to discuss backup strategies with me as well.