ecurb1105

I must be a dinosaur, I do my backup by drop and drag in Windows Explorer. I download to my desktop from SD cards and drag the days/ job folder to both my external hard drives. This way I have all my images on three hard drives. PP images are saved to the original folders. This works for me but I'm semi retired so I'm not shooting the volume I used to.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

How fast is your internet upload/download speed?

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

I appreciate the apology and know how a conversation and get carried away, as an old time film photographer I read the posts with interest. I think I will continue to use copy paste because that makes easy to access the hard drive from any computer as I am currently using two and expect to purchase a new laptop soon.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I rename on import from SD or QXD into Lightroom into a dated folder & make a 2nd copy to an external drive all at the same time. Then I cull and edit the photos. After that, I drag the newly created folder to my external drive (using Finder on a MAC). The external drive is part of a NAS system, so I have two copies there. Then Time Machine is set up to backup everything to another external drive, giving me 3 copies of my finalized pictures.

I haven’t gotten rid of the original duplicate backup that LR made because these are my original files. This is a now a 4th copy but w/o the edits made in LR. (This goes to the same NAS system, which backups through Time Machine also.

So, to answer your question, by dragging my new folder to my external drive, I am essentially doing a copy & paste.

The problem though is if I modify a picture in any completed folder in the future, it won’t be on the external drive unless I manually copy it there. So, I am looking into programs that will do this automatically. Chronosync and SyncBack SE have been mentioned by others here.

I also have Carbonite to do a “cloud” backup; but I’m thinking about changing that.

I also noticed that the OP’s original question asked about backing up their software. I would be curious as to the answers for this. I have looked at Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) and Super Duper.

NOTE: I just reread the OP’s question and I think the OP meant, “do we USE backup software”, NOT, “do we backup software”.

EDIT: I know there must be an easier way!

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

I have been using Super Duper for over 5 years. Free upgrades, no problems, quick, as it backs up only new files since last backup.

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

I don't know. At home it's fast enough that my wife can stream movies while I play multi player on line games, while traveling who knows.

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

My original post was supposed to be "do you use backup software or copy paste" sorry for the confusion.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Copying and pasting is simply not a good way to maintain your backups. You need an organized logical approach that is provided by good back up software. You say you were using backup software but stopped. I don't recall the reason for that from your previous thread. Could you remind us? Were you using the simplified backup software that came free with your external hard drive? What were your issues with it?

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

The reason I stopped using backup software was I didn't want to wait an hour for the backup, also the ability to easily access a single directory from multiple computers.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

If you care to know, here is a link to test its speed.
http://www.speedtest.net/?test-7
Mark

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

Thank you Mark. Just checked and download is 29.68mbps and upload is 4.75 mbps.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Jerry,
You are quite welcome. That's pretty slow in terms of today's available internet speeds. However, speed does cost bucks. Mine is 330Mbps down and 39Mbps up. I spend a great deal of time on the internet.
Mark

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Your speed will determine whether a cloud backup/DR solution is practical. I use Ocala’s speed test to benchmark mine. You can download the Ocala ap and check in a couple of minutes. The upload speed will determine how long it takes to “seed” the cloud with your data. It’s a background task, so if it takes a week, no big deal. The download will tell you how long it takes to recover in the event of a failure. Of course if you have 4TB to upload and a 5Mb upload connection, it’s not going to be a satisfactory solution. On the other hand if your data set is smaller and your upload speed more reasonable, then it may be a good solution. Let me emphasize that you should also have a local backup.

Cheers,
Chris

Edit: Mark, you beat me too it and provided a solution while I was typing! 😎

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

Copy and paste can be just as effective as backup software if you perform it on a regular basis. There lies the secret to all backups...perform it on a regular basis. I perform a complete system image backup to an external drive every other week. Every time I take pics I put them on my photos drive in my system and back them up to two separate external drives. Then there is also my Mozy on-line backup that automatically backs up all the folders and files I have selected as well as any new ones that are added. There are only two bad backups...the one that is never tested and the one that is never done.

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

At that speed if, my calculations are right, it would take over 6 hrs to upload my 109gbs.