Jimmy Drive is no more: Along with several Hogs, I used Jimmy Drive for cloud backup. It was run by James Beltz (BCPhoto, PhotoTips/Photo Tips blog and others) using a hosting service.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

Along with several Hogs, I used Jimmy Drive for cloud backup. It was run by James Beltz (BCPhoto, PhotoTips/Photo Tips blog and others) using a hosting service. It worked flawlessly for me--no problems and rock solid. However, he had to shut down the site pretty abruptly since the cost from his hosting service jumped 3x+ when the company he worked with was bought out and his annual contract was up. He seems to be handling the shut down well, acting with transparency and integrity. You can contact him at the email address below for details, including return of any money he might owe you.

james@BCphoto.biz

I switched to JD from Carbonite and will likely go back unless there is better "Hog-approved" solution. Any recommended options greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I switched to BackBlaze https://www.backblaze.com/ from Jimmy drive excellent price and they automatically back up everything without having to choose the files
cost is $5/mo well worth it. I will miss Jimmy Drive

Kuzano

doduce wrote:

Along with several Hogs, I used Jimmy Drive for cl... (show quote)

The future of Cloud Storage and Apps run on the Cloud???

Cloud storage is not a suitable system for backups, unless you maintain your own local system and are using Cloud only for reduncancy.

I know one photographer who lost his data, and a couple of consumers who have to sites taken down.

While technology seems fairly stable, it's the finances that are going to bring down sites and impact Cloud storage or apps.

The first thing that has to be done is raise revenue. For that to be done you must convince a skeptical public to pay sustainable income to the owners of the sites AND make a profit.

It would be interesting to see the numbers on how Adobe is doing in supporting "computing in the cloud, or CC" with Photoshop or CS?

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

Kuzano wrote:

Cloud storage is not a suitable system for backups, unless you maintain your own local system and are using Cloud only for reduncancy.

Absolutely agree. Cloud is my 4th layer. I guess I'm a belt-belt-suspenders-suspenders kinda guy.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

mborn wrote:

I switched to BackBlaze https://www.backblaze.com/ from Jimmy drive excellent price and they automatically back up everything without having to choose the files
cost is $5/mo well worth it. I will miss Jimmy Drive

Thanks, I'll check them out. Is that $5/month for more than one computer? JD was a great deal since it was a single price for two computers, my desktop and laptop.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

doduce wrote:

Thanks, I'll check them out. Is that $5/month for more than one computer? JD was a great deal since it was a single price for two computers, my desktop and laptop.

You need to check the site I only had one computer on JD

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

mborn wrote:

You need to check the site I only had one computer on JD

Got it.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Computer guy here chiming in. I concur, cloud is for redundancy. Don't bet the farm on it. I have a hat, a raincoat, an umbrella and galoshes. Meaning at least 3 copies of everything plus the cloud. Cloud storage is galoshes. I've been happy with Carbonite, they're big enough they probably won't go away anytime soon...

picpiper Loc: California

Mr PC wrote:

Computer guy here chiming in. I concur, cloud is for redundancy. Don't bet the farm on it. I have a hat, a raincoat, an umbrella and galoshes. Meaning at least 3 copies of everything plus the cloud. Cloud storage is galoshes...

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Flickr offers 1TB for free - I put "finished" photos there I want to share. Also, use Sugarsync for automatic "galoshes-level" backup of specific folders on desktop, phone and tablet.

brokeweb Loc: Philadelphia

I am a big advocate of backing up your hard drives locally instead of outsourcing to an Online company. I think it's the biggest rip-off exploiting those people who are intimidated by computers. If you can mow your lawn, you can swap out a hard drive.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

doduce wrote:

Along with several Hogs, I used Jimmy Drive for cl... (show quote)

Another reason why I like to use my own external drives for backups.

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

Mr PC wrote:

Computer guy here chiming in. I concur, cloud is for redundancy. Don't bet the farm on it. I have a hat, a raincoat, an umbrella and galoshes. Meaning at least 3 copies of everything plus the cloud. Cloud storage is galoshes. I've been happy with Carbonite, they're big enough they probably won't go away anytime soon...

Speaking of being a "computer guy", I am surprised that more people do not do what my son-in-law and I do. It is what we have been doing for computer backup since the 90's...We each have a server set up, with the other having access, via one of the myriad of schemes available...In the early days, we used FTP manually, but that was a hassle. There are better ways now that will just add the remote drive to your desktop...

Anyway, we both have automated backups that write to the other's server. The odds of both of us having a catastrophic failure at the same time are extremely remote. I know this is not a solution for everyone, but with the number of computer savvy people out there, it is an easy and cheap solution that is 100% safe and avoids all the cloud hassle and monthly payments. Plus, it not only backs up your photos, but all your other files, and even your PC setup.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

So, what exactly happened to the files in the JD cloud? Gone? I tried cloud storage for a minute, I agree with others, I'm just too paraniod about where stuff goes if something like this happens. JD may have been very good about being transparent, but who says the next guy with good prices will be?

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

bkyser wrote:

So, what exactly happened to the files in the JD cloud? Gone? I tried cloud storage for a minute, I agree with others, I'm just too paraniod about where stuff goes if something like this happens. JD may have been very good about being transparent, but who says the next guy with good prices will be?

To be fair, most cloud services that cease operations do not just go away. They send multiple notifications out over several months to all their customers and even hold on to information for quite a while after the announced closing date. This is to avoid lawsuits that would surely ensue if they did not. I don't know anything about "Jimmy Drive", but if I were a betting man, I would wager that they followed all the rules when shutting down, even if it was due to bankruptcy. As to cloud services in general, they are a great way to store all that extra stuff that you just do not have room for locally. If you stick to the major brands, there is little risk of loss. Also, as per my previous post, they are a good backup that is more for convenience than safety and should be used as an added factor rather than one's ONLY backup...

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

tradergeorge wrote:

To be fair, most cloud services that cease operati... (show quote)

I wasn't really accusing the site of doing anything, I just didn't know. OP did say Jimmy Drive had to shut down "abruptly"

I'm an old dog, and I'm kind of done learning the new tricks as far as storage, PP programs, and even cameras. The stuff I have now, will only be replaced when what I have doesn't work any more. (hopefully, it will work longer than me) I back up so much, people think I'm OCD, but it is all on various hard drives that are kept on and off sight, as well as DVD's (as last resorts" ) and I even include SD cards in my wedding package pricing, so I save those from weddings as well (off site)