Which online backup service?

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

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Joined
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Nottingham
Any recommendations?

If bandwidth is not an issue, is using such a service yet a viable alternative for masses of hard drives which is not really a safe backup unless you have duplicates of themselves.

Requirements are:

Megatons of storage with good download speeds.

Thanks.
 
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Someone is probably going to jump on me because I keep recommending them, but Crashplan, highly recommended. I pay for the online backup, but you could setup a peer-to-peer backup to e.g. your parents computer, and this is totally free. You just install Crashplan at both sites, and using a code from your parents computer, you create the backup on your computer, using the code to setup the new destination for the backup.
 
I would second Crashplan, unlimited storage (if you pay to back up to their cloud, otherwise as said you can back up to another PC with the software installed) and I've never had a problem with their speed.
 
I like the services where you only pay for what you use (paying less when not downloading etc) but their standard Per GB charges are high in my opinion.
 
Gimpymoo said:
I like the services where you only pay for what you use (paying less when not downloading etc) but their standard Per GB charges are high in my opinion.
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USD $5 a month for unlimited data, and less if you pre-buy more than 1 year.
 
My main wants would be:

Ability to map a network drive
FTP Access for downloads (I do not think Crashplan allows this, but not a biggie)
Automated monitored backups.

I will check their site.
 
You can't map a network drive or FTP access. You restore either through their client, or if you are backing up to their cloud, you can restore via their web interface (as well as through the client).
 
Just had a chat with them and asked what speeds I could expect from the UK..

They said:

We would not be able to reach your maximum speeds, no. I can't really quote speeds, but an average might be around 1-5 Mbps up, and around 3-8 Mbps down.
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Personally, I need slightly better speeds, even if that means spending a little more for a UK/Euro host.
 
I have 20 Mbps up, and I get consistently close to that. It's amazing how quickly you can backup a LOT of data at 20 Mbps.
 
We're currently trialing AVG's new cloud backup service, if it stays like it is currently when it launches then it should do well. You start off with 25gb of storage but can add to that for a few quid on a monthly platform.
 
I am wanting to use more for archiving so really do need an "unlimited" amount of space.

Currently running several HDD's across 2 computers, want to get it offsite and forget about and get rid of these hot, noisy drives which for the most part, could fail at any point.

I thought more people would be utilising such services but the prices you get do fluctuate a LOT when looking at higher space packages.
 
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Gimpymoo said:
I am wanting to use more for archiving so really do need an "unlimited" of space.

Currently running several HDD's across 2 computers, want to get it offsite and forget about and get rid of these hot, noisy drives which for the most part, could fail at any point.
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That isn't backing up though - that's archiving. You can use something like Livedrive to archive that but it isn't unlimited (2Tb - 5Tb)

I use Backblaze to backup about 1Tb of my photos/videos I don't want to lose and don't have any complaints. Web access, truly unlimited, very cheap. But if you get rid of your local copy they will delete their version in 30days or so after a sync without them, you'll need to retain the local hard drives as well. I haven't looked at Crashplan but I would be surprised if they were any different. The unlimited services rely on hard drives being just costly enough to stop every customer having Tb's upon Tb's to upload otherwise everyone would dump everything online and leave it there.
 
Matthew.M said:
That isn't backing up though - that's archiving.

I haven't looked at Crashplan but I would be surprised if they were any different
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I am aware of the difference and Crashplan have the option to retain "deleted" files.

You can do it with Livedrive.

You just take the active backup "offline" and the files will remain.

Just tried Crashplan and got 5Mbps up and down which personally, is not suitable.

So will keep looking.

Thanks for the pointers guys.
 
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So, the search continues.

Seems to be a very "upstart" sector at the moment so difficult to know who to store your files with if you want piece of mind they will still be there tomorrow.

As I need an "Archive" service, my options are more limited although the thing which has limited me more is my desire for good upload/download speeds.

I tried Google Drive and although it is pricey, you get what you pay for. It is able to max out my upload bandwidth at 13Mbps and the download is much much better than Crashplan. I hope as time goes on, we see more UK based providers offering better speeds at a competitive price point.

I will be using Google drive for the time being until I can find a cheaper service with adequate speeds if such a service exists.
 
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