Imagine what it would be like to lose all of the data on your computer. . . 
your list of clients, information on your current and past transactions, photos of your family. There are lots of ways you can lose your information - hard drives fail, viruses wipe out data, laptops are stolen. If something like this hasn't happened to you yet, it's a good bet that you know someone who's gone through this ordeal and it's not pretty. No matter what else is on your list of New Year's Resolutions, backing up your computer is one you can easily keep.
Over the years I've tried lots of different solutions. My first back ups were on floppy disks. I have an external hard drive, but that won't save my data if there's a fire or if I'm hit with a virus. I've also tried 3 different online back up solutions. I have finally found a back up system that I'm so happy with, I want to share it with everyone here on Active Rain.
Carbonite fits all of my basic requirements:
- Easy to use
- Automatic - you'll set it up once and then never have to touch it again
- Inexpensive - $49.95 for a year
- No limit to how much you can backup - so bring on those videos!
- Uses low resources. I can use my VOIP phone and even watch streaming movies while my backup is going on - something I could never do with my previous online backup service.
There's even a free 15 day trial to see what you think.
One thing to remember, the first time Carbonite runs it will have to back up your entire system, so expect this to take days even with a high speed connection. My previous backup service took almost 14 days to back up my system. I've added tons more photos (I have over 10,000 on my computer) and videos and Carbonite finished my first backup in 6 days. Once your initial backup is done, you won't even notice your daily backups :)
Start 2009 off on the right track and put a check mark beside "Back Up Computer" on your list of New Year's Resolutions.
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