backup

DVD the easy way

This DVD copier doesn't do much, but what it does, it does pretty well. Like similar programs, Easy DVD Clone copies 9GB movies by compressing them onto one 5GB DVD or splitting them onto two. It also lets you preserve space on the destination DVD by ditching extras such as bonus features and subtitles.

If you have a dual-layer drive, you can copy the entire DVD without compressing the content or leaving anything out. In our tests, Easy DVD Clone performed well and generally lived up to its name. The homely but straightforward interface shouldn't give beginners trouble, … Read more

Utility Extracts Files from iPhone and iPod touch Backups

The iPhone Backup Extractor, by developer Pádraig, converts the iPhone and iPod Touch backups created by iTunes into Mac OS X files that you can browse, examine, etc. The program is designed to work under only Mac OS X Leopard. It can be used to perform the following, per the developer's website:

Extracting application resources for developers to help them investigate bugs. Exploring files that are created by third party applications using Finder. Decoding the SQLite database files that are stored on the iPhone and iPod Touch, such as Call History, SMS messages, and Notes.

Download a … Read more

Using an iPod to rebuild your music library

Last week some family members suffered a corrupted hard drive on their only PC. They had no backup. They're relatively light computer users--no online banking, no important business documents--but the lesson still hurts. Their e-mail contacts weren't too hard to recover--they simply called everybody they had regular e-mail contact with and told them to send an e-mail. Their digital photos are gone forever, unless emergency tech support courtesy of their son-in-law produces a miracle. And their music library?

That's one nice thing about having a large-capacity MP3 player: if you're lazy about backup, at least you … Read more

FlickrDown lets you archive all your Flickr photos

If you've ever had a hard drive die on you, or had your computer stolen, you've probably come to appreciate--and possibly have shaken your fist at--computer backup. Bad things happen, which is what makes utilities like FlickrDown so darn useful.

This small Windows application provides a simple way to pull down a large portion of your Flickr photos at a time. You just give it your Flickr credentials, pick which sets of photos you want to download and it does the rest--putting them in tightly organized file folders on your local machine. Sure you could just download the … Read more

Different approaches to off-site computer backups

The New York Times published an article today about making off-site (a.k.a online) backups that contained some debatable advice.

The point I most disagree with is this: "As long as your credit card keeps working, there's no need to think about the backups unless disaster strikes." The problem with this advice is that if something is automated too much, it can break without your knowing it.

The classic example of this was the magazine Business 2.0 (which has since ceased publication). After they deployed an automated backup system, they ignored it. At some point … Read more

Use freeware for local folder syncing

If you're looking to keep folders synchronized across different computers, Microsoft's FolderShare is a top-notch tool. But what about synchronizing local folders?

Microsoft's local sync tool, SyncToy, isn't bad. As part of the Windows XP PowerToys add-ons, it's convenient, uncomplicated, and stable. The five different types of synchronization might sound limiting, but they cover the gamut of sync combinations. Users can sync in one direction or bidirectionally. The other three sync types specify how the sync manages new, deleted, and updated files: updating only files in common that have changed, not deleting files from the … Read more

Backup Chrome, create profiles

Google Chrome Backup is a bit ahead of its time. The customizable features in Chrome are so few at this point that it's not hard to memorize your settings. Still, that's annoying, and so this freeware steps into the memory gap. Google Chrome Backup also creates user profiles, useful for mutliuser machines with one log-in.

To create a user profile, simply click on the New Profile button and follow the instructions. Once created, you can use GCB to switch profiles, or drag the new profile to the desktop to create a shortcut. Backing up a profile is as … Read more

Docstoc offers simple sync with your hard drive

Online document-hosting service Docstoc on Thursday is introducing a useful new tool for PCs and Macs that will automatically back up and sync documents from your hard drive to your Docstoc account.

Considering the growing trend of Netbooks with relatively little built-in storage, users with this desktop application installed with be able to offload whatever they created without having worry about running out of room.

By default, the syncing application goes for your documents folder, though you can set it to sync up with other folders on your hard drive or folders within your home network. Documents that are automatically … Read more

Woo-hoo! I'll be live on CNET.com and so can you!

For one whole hour on Thursday, August 28, starting at 11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. Eastern), I'll belive at CNET.com to entertain your questions and discuss anything to do with backing up your computer data as well as hard drive storage...and possibly more.

So get your questions ready and come on over to join the party. Remember to bookmark the page and be on time.

See you there!

Featured Freeware: Senuti

iTunes makes it really easy to put music from your computer onto your iPod--unfortunately, the reverse is not true. If you want to get music from your iPod onto your computer--say, if you had a hard-drive failure, or you just bought a new Mac--you either need to know how to use Terminal or you need an app like Senuti.

This cleverly named utility essentially does what iTunes does backwards, acting as an "iPod ripper" that lets you move your music, playlists, videos, everything, onto your Mac. Senuti has been around for a few years, but it's still … Read more