I am writing this column from the golden sands of Pakiri beach, and marveling at how lucky I am to be able do this. I converted to working on the Webtop after a major computer crash, that wiped out my company files back in 2006. Yes even Geeks can forget to run regular backups, and I was lucky that I could rebuild my data from hard-copies.

Since then I have been an enthusiastic devotee of Cloud Computing, and all of my important files are now stored on servers throughout cyberspace. It means that I can fully realise my dream of working from anywhere in the world with internet access. However not everything can be done online yet, so how can you easily backup files from a local hard-drive?I am writing this column from the golden sands of Pakiri beach, and marveling at how lucky I am to be able do this. I converted to working on the Webtop after a major computer crash, that wiped out my company files back in 2006. Yes even Geeks can forget to run regular backups, and I was lucky that I could rebuild my data from hard-copies.

Since then I have been an enthusiastic devotee of Cloud Computing, and all of my important files are now stored on servers throughout cyberspace. It means that I can fully realise my dream of working from anywhere in the world with internet access. However not everything can be done online yet, so how can you easily backup files from a local hard-drive?The old fashioned way to back up files is to save them to DVD or an external hard-drive. The disadvantages of using an external hard-drive is that you have to remember to actually do this regularly, and make sure you then store your backups off-site in case of fire. At the very least you should store them in a fireproof safe, and a hard drive can still be damaged if you drop it.

The new wave of online tools offer both secure storage using 128-bit level military grade encryption, and collaborative workspaces for sharing files between remote teams, friends or family.

Spideroak is a service that we have started using at Mohawk Media to store music and video files for collaborating with our directors and music producers. Their basic free service gives you 2MB of storage space to backup photos, music, videos and files simply. Their next plan offers 20GB for $10 a month, then an extra $5 every for 10 GB you use over this.

Files are stored by Spideroak securely using encryption software, and they don't store your passwords locally. You can create unlimited Spideroak 'Sharespaces' for online collaboration and the system is designed so that it will not slow down your computer while running in the background. If you lose internet access during a backup, then it will start up automatically as soon as you are back online.

There are plenty of other systems both paid for and free for that will automate your backup needs. Once you have set them up they will run regular backups automatically, without you have to think about it.

Mozy offers a basic 'Homefree' service which gives you 2MB of storage space, then their unlimited backup plan starts at $4.95 a month.

Idrive offers the same 2MB of space for free, and they also offer an unlimited service for $4.95 a month. Get Drop Box is still being tested, but is promising to synch your files across all of your computers both PC & Mac, and also on the web for collaboration. You can watch a video demo on how the system works, and if you want to be one of the first to try it out then you can sign up to be a Beta tester.

For slightly more advanced Geeks, GMail Drive is a clever way of using the free online storage that comes with every Gmail account. It is a third party service that is not supported by Google and is limited to Windows users only. GMail Drive literally adds a new drive to your computer under the My Computer
folder, where you can create new folders, and backup files to.

The free space that Google offers with their GMail accounts goes up daily and is enough for the average internet user. There have also been rumours for the past two years that Google is developing an official GDrive service offering unlimited online storage, though this has never been officially confirmed.

Whatever you choose to use for your online backup solution, make sure that you do it today. Then you'll never have to experience the pain of losing data ever again.

As well as being TBI's strategist, Helen Baxter a.k.a. MsBehaviour runs dance-music label TMet Recordings, 3D animation company Mohawk Media and has a fortnightly slot on National Radio called 'Virtual World'.

20/03/08