Though we may wish or believe otherwise, computing devices are still somewhat of a hassle to use. Some devices, like Apple’s iPad, come close to being fully realized machines, but even iPads have their clunky side.
When it comes to the all-important subject of file backups, the dream of universal simplicity is still a dream. There is no “one-backup-plan-fits-all” system in existence. File integrity and security is still an area filled with customized solutions.
Some folks could care less about backing up their files, as their entire computing life goes no further than Twittering, reading, tweeting, watching, Youtubing, texting, listening, emailing and Facebooking. These folks are known in the I.T. industry as “content consumers;” that is, “content (KON-tent)” meaning published information or material, rather than referring to “contentment,” a state of being.
As the term implies, content consumers consume art, pictures, websites, photos, videos, music, blogs, books, magazines, movies and other forms of information content, but they do not generate any original content of their own. Up to 70% of the people using the Internet are considered content consumers.
As opposed to “content creators,” content consumers don’t care about backing up their files (content), because they aren’t creating any files that need to be backed up. Apple’s iPad has often been referred to as the ultimate content consumption device.
People who actually create content, such as those who take pictures with digital cameras, need to “backup” those pictures (files). This means maintaining multiple copies of your files on multiple devices. If you have one copy of your pictures on your computer’s hard drive, and another copy on a removable flash drive, the copy on the flash drive is considered your “backup” copy, to be used in the event your computer’s hard drive fails. If your files are not backed up, and your computer’s hard drive fails, then your files are gone forever. Estimates are, over 12,000 hard drives fail worldwide every day.
The biggest challenge facing modern content creators is how to backup multiple devices. With Android phones, tablets, iPhones, iPads, desktop PCs, laptops, Macs, computers at work and computers at home, modern computer users are faced with a gazillion different devices, all using different programs and interfaces.
It’s not uncommon for a single person to have at least four different devices, such as a phone, tablet, laptop and desktop computer, all with pictures, contact lists, address books, spreadsheets, songs, videos and other personal, irreplaceable files that need to be backed up. The situation can seem so intimidating that some users stick their head in the sand, hoping the issue will go away and nothing bad will ever happen.
To come to grips with and conquer the challenge of file backup, a few facts must be accepted. First off, it’s going to cost money, whether you go the do-it-yourself route with external drives and backup programs, or you use an online backup service. While there are some good free backup programs, money still needs to be spent on backup devices, such as external hard drives and flash drives. Online backup services cost money, too. Plan on spending at least $55 per year to backup a single device, no matter which route you choose. By bundling multiple devices together on a single backup plan, prices can be as low as $15 per device per year.
Compared to the money people spend on computing devices, the money they spend trying to recover lost files when those devices crash, and the grief and heartache that occurs when a collection of family photos or financial spreadsheets is lost forever, $15-55 per year to backup files is downright cheap. I never cease to be amazed that people will not hesitate to spend $800 on a high-end iPad, $400 on an iPhone and $2,700 on a bells-and-whistles Macbook Pro, yet they whine and complain about spending money to backup their files. Where do these cheapskates come from?
Also to be accepted is the fact that backing up files is work. At some point, you will need to become actively involved in the process. You will probably have to learn something new. The magic file-backup fairy will not wave her wand and make everything better; you have to take charge of the process, yourself.
That said, I am pretty impressed with some of the newer online backup services, especially one called SOS Online. Prices are great, multiple disparate devices can be included and it’s pretty easy to figure out. Contact me if you are interested and I can point you in the right direction. But, no matter what, back up your stuff. Do it today.