Your Backup Resolutions: Five Strategies to Back Up Your Data, Now

We help you find the perspective and the technology to put yourself on the path to smoother backups.

By : Melissa J. Perenson

Every year you say you'll be better at keeping your data backed up, but then life happens. You get busy. You get distracted. And the number of files in your digital life grows exponentially--all while you continue to relegate this critical task to the "I'll get to it" pile.

Sound familiar? Thought so. Backup is essential, yet most people neglect it, despite adding ever more files to their digital stockpiles. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the average U.S. adult with online access has an average of 1800 digital files. And growing.

We've found the tech that can help you get a handle on your backups--and help you stick to a plan. You'll find many options that lead to the same result. Part of your challenge is picking the ones that are best for you.

1. Devise a Backup Plan of Attack

Survey your backup needs, and think about what you have that is "live" data--your ongoing, working library of files--versus what is archival data, files that don't require changes or additions. Live data might include your collection of digital music and your business documents, while archival data might include your digital photos from the past five years. Think about whether you want all of your data to reside in a single place, or whether you want to spread your backups across multiple devices. Also consider your habits: Do you need prompting to back up, or do you want to invoke a backup at will?

Having evaluated your files and needs, you can better decide on a backup strategy--and on which combination of technologies makes sense for you. You'll likely settle on a strategy that encompasses various devices and services, selected from among USB flash drives, external hard drives (see our latest Top 10 External Hard Drives chart or peek at the newest portable external hard drives), network-attached storage (see our most recent Top 5 Network-Attached Storage Devices chart), and online backup.

Many hardware devices now include a backup utility as a matter of course; but whether you'll find that backup utility (be it a separate application or one that's integrated with the drive) useful will depend in part on the backup approach you've chosen. Do you want to back up all of your files? Or are you aiming to do larger, more-current sets while leaving the file archive to reside on a NAS or on a dedicated 1TB hard drive attached to your system?

In steps two through five, we'll identify some of the best technologies for helping you with your backups--and what situations and needs those technologies are most suited for.

2. Organize Your Files

Various software programs--including the traditional backup programs we rounded up recently, such as NovaStor NovaBackup Professional, EMC Retrospect Backup, and NTI Backup 5 Advanced--will find specific file types on your hard drive and back up those file types per your instructions. But it helps to devise an organized structure for the files on your hard drive; that way, you know exactly where to begin when you establish a backup routine in the aforementioned software, or if you ever do a quick-and-dirty manual backup (in which you simply drag and drop files from one drive to another within Windows Explorer).

3. Try Set-It-and-Forget-It Backup

Let's be blunt: Sometimes, deciding on what to back up, and where, makes the process overwhelming. And though acknowledging that fact doesn't negate the need for steps one and two described on the previous page, occasionally you want everything you own to be saved, with no brain activity required to get the process going.

A handful of devices make jump-starting your system backups dead simple. Among the most notable faces in the crowd is the Clickfree Portable Backup Storage Appliance, which makes backup supereasy. Connect this $180, 320GB USB drive (also available in 120GB and 250GB capacities, with up to 500GB coming sometime in 2009) to your Windows-based PC, and it will back up your data files, including your music, movies, pictures, and e-mail. The drive's built-in backup software kicks in as soon as you attach the drive to your PC; the software supports up to 350 file types. You can configure some basics, or just let the drive do everything--your choice. The drive can safeguard up to 20 PCs, and it does its backups incrementally (meaning that it does a full backup the first time, and then on subsequent occasions finds the new files and backs those up). Restoration is simply a matter of pressing the Restore button; the drive's built-in software will then return data to its original location.

If you have only enough data to fill a DVD or three, Clickfree sells DVD discs with the same backup software loaded. And the HP SimpleSave Photo utility uses an HP-branded version of the software for its discs.

Rebit Disk Drive Backup is even simpler to use. Just plug in the drive (available in capacities up to 500GB for $220), give the built-in software permission to back up, and off it goes, continually protecting you in the background. By the end of January, the drive's software will get an update that supports managing backups for up to six PCs to a single drive (a good setup for people backing up smaller sets of data, but not for users who have multiple PCs packed with multimedia collections). The company also now offers its easy-to-use software on CD, for use with any external hard drive; the CD costs $50 at its Web site.

Memeo's Autobackup software and NTI's Shadow are competing stand-alone applications that you can buy for real-time file backup; they can require more intervention on your part, however, than either Clickfree (which is not real-time backup) or Rebit (which is real-time, much like the Apple Time Capsule for Mac OS computers).

4. Use a Flash Drive

USB flash drives are ubiquitous, but nowadays 4GB is a baseline capacity, not the high end. And larger capacities--16GB, 32GB, and greater--are becoming more commonplace.

The benefits to using a flash drive can be multifold. You can store your files--perhaps both your critical documents and your multimedia files--on a drive the size of your index finger, and you can keep your data close to you, in your pocket or on a keychain. Many drives offer software encryption and password protection; still more include a file-synchronization utility. The SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus goes one step further by letting you sync the drive with Web-based storage.

SanDisk is going all out, however, with its newest offering (announced this week at CES), the SanDisk UltraBackup USB Flash Drive. The drive is expected in April, in capacities of 8GB to 64GB ($40 to $200). It has a retractable USB connector that slides inside, so you needn't worry about caps (or cables, as you would with an external hard drive). The integrated software requires no installation; instead, it just asks you for the file types you want to back up, and it initiates a backup when you plug the drive in; a button on the unit lets you launch a backup, too.

5. Send Data to an Online Backup Service

Online backup makes sense in some circumstances but not others. Certainly, Web-based services (such as the Webroot Secure Backup service) provide off-site redundant storage that can keep your data safe against natural and unexpected disasters (such as flooding, earthquakes, or fire). But online backup may not be appropriate if your data measures into the tens of gigabytes, or even terabytes (yes, snap-happy digital photographers and devoted music gurus, I'm looking at you). Content creators with high-capacity needs may prefer to keep their files on NAS drives and hard drives locally (or on drives located at secondary sites) rather than deal with the ongoing fees of Web-based backup.

That said, many sites offer some free online backup, as much as 2GB (Mozy.com and Fabrik.com, for example). Two gigs can go a long way for basic Word and Excel documents, PDF files, and PowerPoint presentations (the ones light on multimedia, at least). For your files currently in play, online backup can be both convenient (get it anywhere you find a Wi-Fi connection), and economical.

It's all about strategy--and what type of data you need to protect. Feel free to comment below, or visit the PC World Forums, to tell us about your approach to backing up.

Source : http://www.pcworld.com

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Information and Communication Technology

Industry information and communication technology (ICT) has become a new flag for Norway. Currently, ICT industry is a land-based industry the second largest in Norway based on the change that occurred (turnover), and not only create wealth but also a vital supplier to the business sector and other common. This industry consists of various types of high company that created new types of telecommunications, hardware and software ICT, electronic products for industry, and provide consulting services.

Norway is one of the users of ICT per-capita in the world, with the infrastructure system that includes a well developed network and fiber optic cable for transmission dijital. Capacity communications network Norway experienced a rapid development, and telecommunications sectors have been delivered by researchers and companies that can compete in the international scale. Series of products available, including satellite communication system, a system of global, mobile phone systems, network management systems, transmission systems and fiber optic technology.

The hardware is a Norwegian group of innovative, and have developed a variety of special products, such as through a video conference system, multimedia equipment, transmiter radio dijital, data storage solutions, credit card terminal and the provider of electricity.

Norwegian software revolution triggered by the development of traditional industries, like oil, shipping services and fisheries. Needs of the sector, and the ability to create and finance the high-technology solutions with the press has been pushing the cost of software development and integrated. Currently, there are many companies in the ICT industry that supply solutions and modular software (including data, customer relations, administrative, and financial management systems) to nearly all private and public sectors. Norwegian companies have also become a pioneer in the field of telemedicine and distance learning. Solutions start Dilirik advanced by international buyers.

Internet being used in Norway, and continues to experience growth quickly. Norwegian company is in the forefront of Internet technology, including development of multi-function site and Intranet, Web browsers are very fast, on-line games and e-commerce solutions. Norwegian ICT industry in winning menemulkan solution that is easy to use, which prioritizes the user and interaction between individuals.

source : http://www.norwegia.or.id

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Broadband for all proposals unveiled this month

Digital Britain report is due out imminently.

By David Neal, 6 Jan 2009 at 13:10

Lord Carter's calls for broadband for everyone is edging closer to reality as the interim Digital Britain report is expected to be released later this month.

This week, media attention has re-ignited the UK Communications minister's proposals – made in a speech in December - that all homes should have access to broadband services.

While this in itself is not news, a spokeswoman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) told IT PRO that the interim Digital Britain report, which is likely to contain and flesh out these proposals, was due later this month. The full version is slated for a spring release.


What is known is that the Broadband for All proposals are likely to suggest that every house in the country should have access to broadband services, by law. According to the BERR spokeswoman, Carter will ensure that the telecoms industry provides an at least basic broadband service to every citizen, whether this is by fixed-line or mobile technology.

In the speech in question, delivered at the Broadcasting Press Guild last month, Carter said: “We are at a tipping point in terms of broadband availability.”

Carter has a strong background in telecoms and telecoms infrastructures. He is a former chief operating officer of NTL and served as the first chief executive of UK media watchdog Ofcom for three years.

He is guest of honour at a seminar on Digital Britain on 14 January in London where he will deliver a keynote address. It is not known whether it is here that he will make his proposals, however he will be joined by Peter Phillips, who is a member of the strategy and market developments division at Ofcom, which may perhaps serve as another clue.

source : www.itpro.co.uk

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Gordon Brown eyes speedy broadband to ease recession

It’s an ambitious and worthy idea. But how much money is he talking about, and who is going to get it?

By Asavin Wattanajantra, 6 Jan 2009 at 14:59

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has revealed ambitious plans to usher in a new digital age in a government infrastructure drive which could create up to 100,000 jobs.

Speaking to the Observer, Brown said that he planned investment in superfast broadband, which could be the modern version of Franklin Roosevelt’s “New Deal” in the 1930s, which directed much-needed money towards public works such as dams and roads.


He compared the building of roads, bridges and railways, which were anti-recession measures made to stimulate the economy after the Great Depression, with the situation now where a recession is looming and we're all being hit hard by the credit crunch.

Brown said: “You could [by comparison] talk about the digital infrastructure and that form of communications revolution at a period when we want to stimulate the economy. It’s a very important thing.”

Rory Cellan-Jones, commenting on his technology blog on the BBC website, said that he acknowledged digital communications could be very important.

However, he was far from clear about how much public money would be spent on the fast broadband service, or who would get it. He quoted a figure of £29 billion from the Broadband Stakeholder Group.

He also said that BT and Virgin Media were the only two companies with the scale to take a fibre network across the UK.

IT PRO revealed last year that BT was willing to invest £1.5 billion in a national fibre-optic service to around 10 million homes and businesses.

However, he warned that putting public money into superfast broadband could stir up a number of issues, such as the possibility of giving the big companies like BT too much power.

What's more, as everybody would want an equal stake in it as it would be “broadband for all”, it could potentially cause a conflict with the wishes of company stakeholders.

He said: “Once the public sector is involved, every household may come to see fast broadband – like free healthcare – as a right, not a privilege.

“In short, then, finding the public money to pump into fast broadband might be the easy bit. Designing the pumping mechanism will be a lot harder.”

A Digital Britain report, which IT PRO has already revealed is likely to suggest that every house in the country should have broadband, will be released later this month.

source : www.itpro.co.uk

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Summarizing the Death Throes of 2008 Part. 1

by John C. Dvorak

You can be certain that everyone will blame the economy for the horrible end-of-year retail sales of tech products. But perhaps they should blame tech itself for doing so little to excite the public. Even Steve Jobs is bailing out of the Macworld keynote; as far as I can tell, he's got nothing exciting to show.


Tech is the tail that wags the economic dog, in case you haven't noticed. When something big is going on in tech—such as dotcom mania in the late 1990s—then everything heats up. Right now there's virtually nothing going on in tech except minutiae. Let's examine the problem.



First of all, the newest technologies have not been well promoted. Promotion has always been the key to tech. For example, name the top ten new technologies that were developed last year. Better yet, just name five. Nothing?

Why can't you name them? It's probably because they weren't reported except in EE Times and a few scattered Web sites. Whose fault is that? Well, in the olden days, you could probably blame the media for not doing its job, but those days are over. The media has been decimated, and informational sources are now so incredibly scattered that it's impossible for the media to do its job without help from industry.

And industry has dropped the ball. It's not helping anyone.

The media is trying to keep up. The PCMag.com home page is cluttered with information and reviews. But out of the smoke screen of information you still cannot tell me the five most interesting technologies that developed or emerged last year.

What's missing is the buzz that used to be generated, mainly utilizing a complex mechanism that no longer exists due to neglect—the computer magazine.

Source : http://www.pcmag.com

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Car technology Party Immediately slide in the year 2009

Haitian vehicle is ready to thrown into the market next year. Self kuras pocket GBP 127 thousand (equivalent to Rp 2.1 billion), car running great Terrafugia Transition is able nangkring in the home garage.

Yes, quite a home garage. No need to provide Hanggar such aircraft in general. Although the wings have a car capable of speeds of 184 with the regime kilometers per hour and climb as far as 736 km distance is practical. The wings can be folded and developed a new epoch needed.

What is clear, with the "aircraft street" is, there is no need to stress because didera must permeate the streets jammed outside the ordinary. Moreover, sparing the time. Surabaya-Mastung that average applied only need three hours to one hour.

This Daily Mail, Terrafugia Transition, which is also considered as a light-sport aircraft Airplane alias sport light the practical problems of fuel. Self brought to the retail outlets only prove a conventional car.

"You can drive or menerbangkannya at any time," said the spokesman Terrafugia designers based in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA.

In January, Terrafugia.com, producers ensure that flying car, buyers will not regret the money to have them. They can feel the progress of the technology world. Cars are flying 30 years ago is only present in the film is now no longer hallucinate.

"This is evidence that the pilot community is now ready with the dream become a reality," they write in the site.

For the regime, the dream car platform also need to square off. Therefore, the need to be taken to the nearest airport first (rileks.com)

Source : http://taghyr.wordpress.com

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Technology 2009

This is technology, which is intended to become head of news next year. From T-ray as a replacement X-ray, aircraft probe that can fly nonstop for five years, until the evolution of technology, material from Nanotechnology to pikoteknologi. T-ray
Q shortness of Shortly. T-ray, which has a wavelength between micro and infrared waves, replacing some future role of roentgen rays alias X-ray This blessing is the ability rays penetrate clothing and skin into the deep as several millimeters. Unlike the X-ray, not the T-ray diffraction, which terionisasi, so do not cause cancer.

Hidrogel
One of the big problems to regenerate bone, blood vessel, or the organ is not the ideal planting media. But scientists years before the American media have it, that kind of jelly made from polymer called hidrogel. At Carnegie Mellon University, planting media have proved suitable for the bone to grow back; at Baylor and Rice this material is used meregenerasi network of dental tartar affected.
Pikoteknologi
When the German fisikawan electron microscope using a special beresolusi ultratinggi to observe objects the size of some pikometer in the summer and they are starting a new era of technology, material renik: from Nanotechnology (1 nanometer = sepersemiliar meters) to a pikoteknologi (1 pikometer = sepersetriliun meters).
Hale
Has long been the Pentagon research agency, DARPA, to develop unmanned aircraft that can fly long. Vulture through the project, they want an aircraft that can fly nonstop for five years. In addition to military purposes, these aircraft can replace the role of low-orbit satellites. So, next year candidate diramaikan by the pilot airplanes that.
Otostereoskopi
In front of the television era, the lines become three dimensional. This is initiated by the Dutch electronics giant, Philips, which recently launched a system WOWvx. Lentikular lens on the glass screen television provides images of objects that have cast a "depth". The price is still quite expensive, about U.S. $ 12 thousand (Rp 144 million) for the 42-inch screen. But next year cheaper fuel prices, as Sharp and other manufacturers also plan to launch this type of television.

Source : http://www.duniasex.com

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Enter the Internet Village Digenjot year 2009

JAKARTA, WEDNESDAY - Maximal information technology to remote rural areas through the e-economy and e-health is expected to be implemented starting next year. Therefore the development of infrastructure to support the services continue to be built.

"If the infrastructure is built and finished evenly in all of Indonesia made new use of socialization," said the Ministry of communication and information Muhammad Nuh in the exposure Depkominfo performance in 2008 in Jakarta, Wednesday (31/12).


He explained, the service will be supported development of the universal service obligation system (Universal Service Obligation / USO). Besides being used for telephone service, Universal Service Obligation / USO also be used to access the Internet with a capacity of 64 kbps. The system will be connected between the regions in Indonesia to the corner-corner.

In addition, Depkominfo will expand the reach of these services with the provision of public access car (M-CAP) as many as 32 units that will be placed in all provinces in Indonesia. "Each unit can serve as telecom shops and cafe," said Noah.

Once the infrastructure is ready, Noah information, dissemination of the e-economy and e-health will be implemented. Benefits of the e-economy to be later pembaayaran tax, financial transactions, and so forth in the two places that sometimes even.

While e-health can be used for communication facilities and doctors antarpasien which is quite far. Face-to-face can also be done through this service. "Come the process of diagnosis can be made by the doctor to the patient without having to meet directly," says Noah.

Source : http://tekno.kompas.com

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