Keep your data backed up! If you lost everything, will you be okay?

The only one responsible for backing up your data is you. Only YOU know what files you must have in order to perform your duties. So, if you don't know how to backup your data, call the Help Desk at 328-9866 and ask for a consult regarding this issue. ITCS will be glad to help.

Currently Macs do not have built-in backup software. That will change with the coming of Leopard (OS X.5) in 2007 and TimeMachine but for now here are some options:

1. Burn files to a disk
2. Copy files to a second drive. If you copy to a partition of your current drive, be aware that any hardware problems can still wipe out your data. Its best to keep backups separated from your main drive.
3. Copy files to your iDisk - Use the .Mac Backup Application
4. Copy files to an external hard drive - Use your iPod to backup your data
5. Copy files to a protected server - Use your PirateDrive (smb://piratedrive.intra.ecu.edu/facultystaff/pirateid/). Call the Help Desk to ask for a consult.
   
6. Copy files to a thumb drive. But be cautious! If those sticks are incorrectly removed, they could be damaged and the data lost. They  can also be lost, dropped or washed in your laundry.
7. Use third party software
8. • SilverKeeper from Lacie.com
   • iBackup from grapefruit.ch
   • Synchronize! Pro X from qdea.com
   • Data Backup 2.1 from ProSoft Engineering
   • ChronoSync 3.3.2 from econtechnologies.com
   • Peace of Mind from executivesynch.com
   • Deja Vu from propagandaprod.com
   • Or, go to versiontracker.com and search for "backup"
     

Tips for backup success:

1. Assess your situation. See how much data you want to backup and check that the destination can hold that much information. For example, your documents folder holds 900MB of data. A CD will only hold 700MB so you will probably need a DVD or something larger.
   
2. Always make more than one copy.
3. Keep the copies off site. Don't leave them in the same place as your computer. If there's a fire, an electrical short or your office is broken into, the backup is useless. Best bet is to put them in a safe somewhere off campus.
4. Put everything you need into one folder. It can be a pain to tell a third party application where all your data is. Its recommended to keep everything in your Documents folder and back that entire folder up.
5. PDA users: Most PDAs have conduits that you can set to run a backup of the data that's on your PDA, not just what's on your Mac. Read as much as you can about this from your user's manual before something like the battery dying or it getting stolen.