January 22, 2009 12:01 PM PST

Backing up gets dummy-proof, thanks to new blank discs

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(Credit: TX WEA)

The gist of backing up is as simple as copying files from one place to another. However, the actual work of getting this done is still a lot more complicated than some people can handle. I've met people who make copies of desktop shortcuts, thinking they have backed up their documents, or those who think the computer's optical (DVD/CD) drive can be used as a retractable cup-holder.

(This might sounds like an old joke, but take a look at the drive; you'll see that they kind of have a point.)

But now, there's a new, easier way to back up your files, using a new type of optical media--AutoSave discs--recently introduced by a French company called TX WEA.

In a nutshell, the product is a blank optical media disc that isn't blank at all. It has backup software embedded that runs as you insert the media into the computer's optical drive.

AutoRun is not new and can be even annoying sometimes. The difference of AutoSave is the fact that the software automatically saves photos, e-mails, and Office documents on the particular disc you just insert; you even have the option to encrypt the backed-up files.

The product comes in four styles:

TX AutoSave photos: 4.7GB DVD+R discs that automatically back up photos directly from digital cameras, memory cards, or a computer with just three mouse clicks. Photos can be played back on a computer or a DVD player.
TX AutoSave e-mails: 4.7GB DVD+R discs that makes a backup of e-mails including attachments currently supporting MS Outlook's, Outlook Express', and Windows Mail's e-mail archives. E-mails and attachments are automatically encrypted and recorded to the disc.
TX AutoSave encrypt: 680MB CD-R discs contains an embedded software that encrypts data as it records it to the disc.
TX AutoSave Office: 680MB CD-R discs that automatically makes backups of all your office documents (MS Office, PDF, Open Office, Works). These discs also allow for adding other types of data or backing up the entire "My Documents" folder.

All of these are capable of spanning to multiple discs for making a backup that is larger than the disc's capacity.

While these backup solutions sound redundant, they are good news for a lot of people and are especially good fits in environments where making permanent backups is a daily mandate.

They will be available in the U.S. in March. Depending on the application, the prices of these solutions range from $20 to $24 for a pack of four or six discs.

Dong Ngo is a CNET editor who covers networking and network storage, and writes about anything else he finds interesting. You can also listen to his podcast at insidecnetlabs.cnet.com. E-mail Dong.