Backing up – hardware and software options.
There are a great many backup systems.
Create Synchronicity
Very straightforward – preset the program to copy directories /a, /b and /c to drive f and away you go. Have it copy to a pocket drive which is stashed off-site and you have a considerable amount of security. It’s also very handy for duplicating directories on your laptop and office computers. Restoring files is so simple – just plug in the drive, find the file in question, and presto.
Windows Home Server
(No longer supported by Microsoft, I believe)
This system is more complex, but has some compelling advantages. Windows Home Server will deliver music and movies to your media centre as well as backing up any computer on the network. Once the system is set up – and this does take a little time – as far as backing up is concerned it’s basically set and forget. Retrieving files is reasonably simple using Explorer.
You’ll need a dedicated PC and WHS software, so it will all set you back a few hundred dollars or more depending how much drive space you require.
WHS has an achilles heel. If the original drive fails completely it may not be possible to restore.
An alternative, which I’ve not yet tried, is
reflectbackup
www.macrium.com
Freeware backup software inc restore disc.
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
GoodSync
I’ve not tried this, but it does get rave reviews. Fom GoodSync.com.
Playstation PS3 can be used as a media server, so presumably you can use it as a backup machine too.
Online backup systems, or cloud backups.
(info below current June 2014)
Microsoft has a backup system, 25 gigs free. Would not back up WordPress, if I recall correctly.
Dropbox has a free starter setup. WP backups work fine.
Google Drive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Drive
https://drive.google.com/
free-of-charge cloud storage of 5 gigabytes to start with
http://www.cloudbackup.net.au/cloudbackup/compare/
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/223354/choosing_cloud_backup_for_pcs.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_backup_software
Backup software list at Wikipedia
Bacula
http://www.bacula.org/en/
Open Source backup program, well supported
If you are currently using a program such as tar, dump, or bru to backup your computer data, and you would like a network solution, more flexibility, or catalog services, Bacula will most likely provide the additional features you want.
In other words it will work for Dale, but is very complex and designed really for programmers. It also would require a server (mine, for instance) for storing the data.
Bacula Systems is an enterprise class high-end system
http://www.baculasystems.com/products/bacula-enterprise/features
Carbonite
http://www.carbonite.com/
Free trial avail.
SugarSync
Some services offer client software that can also watch files and folders anywhere on your hard disk and back them up too. Sugarsync has numerous options. It allows to share folders with permission & password, similar setup to dropbox
http://www.sugarsync.com/
http://www.sugarsync.com/sync_comparison.html
Mozy
http://mozy.com/
https://mozy.com/pro/pricing/
Amazon S3
http://aws.amazon.com/s3/
Short article describing S3 (halfway down page)
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/223354/choosing_cloud_backup_for_pcs.html
Pricing
http://aws.amazon.com/s3/pricing/