Topic: "Cloud" storage

I know there are a lot of computer folks on here so I need to pick some brains about off-site storage for my computer.

I have almost filled my current hard drive on my computer (mostly with picture files).  I will be adding a second hard drive (when my kid has the time to do it), but I really want to find a reputable company that is not crazy expensive for off-site storage.  I have gone the external hard drive route and always seem to have problems with their reliability.  I have a 2 terabyte  WD external drive for storage that doesn't seem to be working properly and I only bought it in January!

So, I need storage space (not just "back up" because if I understand it correctly "backup" only backs up what is on your drive and I want a place to store things that I take off my hard-drive permanently). Any ideas, recommendations?  There are probably a lot of "pictures" I could be removing from my hard drive but at this point too time consuming and I am a picture "hoarder" unless they are totally horrible.

Thanks - Sandy

"There's a lot of people that are in so much of a hurry to be, I guess, to be famous or that they don't want to take the time to learn to play and do all that.They'd rather just knock it down off a computer and maybe get on a game show and get famous..That's fine if that's what you want to do.
"We're more old school than that. We like creating the sounds."  - Tom Petty

2 (edited by JBFan4Life 2012-10-07 14:07:18)

Re: "Cloud" storage

Realize that once you've backed up any set of files to the cloud, it's there, and so can be removed from your hard drive.  Assuming you don't expect a problem down the road with your cloud storage provider, you've got access to anything you've copied to the cloud.  Whether part of an automated backup, or something you directed there manually.  A backup is just an archive, of sorts. 

System backups tend to be point in time based  As in taking a snapshot of applications and data for complete system recovery purposes.  Usually that sort of backup is referred to as a system image.  Such image backups can be automatic (on a defined schedule) and can automatically take a backup of any new updates to your system.  (Incrementally backing up system changes, over time, including new data files you create, like your pictures.)

It sounds like you want more of an archival storage plan, whether using the cloud or not.  Meaning you don't necessarily need to get an immediate incremental backup of each new set of pictures you store on your computer.  But you want the option to do so for long term storage.  Thus freeing up your hard drive space for more current day-to-day activities.

BTW, when I hear someone say such and such device (part of their system or home network) "doesn't seem to be working properly" and that equipment is relatively new, I usually want to explore that, first.  As opposed to discussing an alternate solution.  Two terabytes will store a lot of files, and provide quicker access when you want to retrieve something, in general, than cloud based storage will.

That said, there are loads of options for you, as far as archival storage via the cloud.  Terms like "crazy expensive" are hard to pin down as far as your expectations, though.

As a "picture hoarder", are you well organized?  The simplest approach to long term storage of files that don't change, like pictures, is to burn them to a storage media.  You can store a lot of pictures on a DVD.  And if you organize and label them, you've got relatively quick access.  But it does require storage for the physical media, there are plenty of options for that, though.  Even as simple as a CD/DVD wallet.  But back to your thoughts about using the cloud.

Cloud access requires organization too.  It's easy to treat cloud storage like the box in the closet, and just keep piling stuff there. 

In any case, you would probably benefit from reviewing the following as a reference:

http://www.thetop10bestonlinebackup.com/cloud-storage

A lot of information to sift through, but pretty well organized, and you can drill down on the options for more info.

A simple sort of "drag and drop" archive solution is Dropbox.  But review the info at the link as a basis for further discussion.

EDIT:  You probably would benefit from reading the following, too.  An article about things to consider as a potential consumer of cloud based storage services:

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Look … 72187.html

Play like you've worked at it, and don't worry about sounding like your influences.  You can't cheat on them, or your practice, anyway.  If you've worked hard at your skill, your audience will know it.

Re: "Cloud" storage

Thanks for all the info.  I actually do back up all my pictures on cd/now DVD so I do have that.  I am working on the problem with my external drive, but my computer geek son has been pretty busy with his own life lately.

I will go thru the articles quoted, and thanks for all the info.  This stuff gets so confusing sometime.  I use to have a "rule" that nothing got removed from my camera cards until it is backed up in at least 3 places but my newer laptop is too small to be of much help in that rule and that external hd mess is the other.  Will let you know how I make out (will probably be awhile, though).

"There's a lot of people that are in so much of a hurry to be, I guess, to be famous or that they don't want to take the time to learn to play and do all that.They'd rather just knock it down off a computer and maybe get on a game show and get famous..That's fine if that's what you want to do.
"We're more old school than that. We like creating the sounds."  - Tom Petty

Re: "Cloud" storage

I can help you explore more in depth, whenever you have more questions.  The posted links should help you further define what you want to do, and how you might approach it.  I tend to use those links as fairly good introductions to cloud storage concerns and options.  Though there are plenty of other sources.  And I imagine others can chime in with their own experiences.

I did have a pretty good impression that you are studious about making sure you've got backups and are organized about it.  Cloud storage is a decent option to add to your backup/archival strategy, but it's not without potential pitfalls (like anything).

Play like you've worked at it, and don't worry about sounding like your influences.  You can't cheat on them, or your practice, anyway.  If you've worked hard at your skill, your audience will know it.

Re: "Cloud" storage

I'm far from a geek Sandy, but use both Dropbox and Skydrive, which are free for the initial setup. (Skydrive is 25Gb) and so far have worked well for the sharing and storage I use them for. I've run out of room too due to lots of videos. Your still shots take up a lot less room than HD videos, but of course you snap a lot of them. A typical raw video file is 100Mb/minute @ 720p, much more at 1080p. Large external memory is getting bigger and cheaper by the day. I just picked up several 32 Gb flash camera chips for about $15 each. That is cheaper than dvd storage and is rewritable plus they plug right in to my pc's slot and act as external solid state drives so they are quite fast. An interesting and useful topic.
Rick

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Re: "Cloud" storage

I use Memory sticks to store my pics - very useful, imo

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Re: "Cloud" storage

Flash drives should not be discounted, but have problems of their own, from a security perspective.  That's a whole 'nother topic, that I won't delve into, here.

And it's really hard to keep large sets of flash drives organized.  It's not unusual to have a 500 Gig hard drive that's so full of stuff you keep meaning to weed through.  Back it up to flash and have fun keeping a label on what is where.

That's probably the first point of using any long term storage solution.  Make sure you need to keep it.  And secondly, know how to find it and that you'll be able to, when you make any data less than instantly at your fingertips.

Play like you've worked at it, and don't worry about sounding like your influences.  You can't cheat on them, or your practice, anyway.  If you've worked hard at your skill, your audience will know it.

Re: "Cloud" storage

JBFAN4Life -   Well, finally got caught up on backing up all my stuff to DVD's (I hadn't done it since May so since there were four Joe shows plus another concert plus life it took me awhile but that is done.  I need to get in the habit of doing this more often.  My own fault.

Next - I got my external harddrive working again!  Needed a firmware and a software update, but I did it, and it worked.  I am very pleased with myself at the moment.

Next project - just ordered a second hard drive for my main computer.  My son will hopefully get that in and working this weekend.

After all this is done I am still going to look at cloud storage but now I don't feel like I need it immediately.  Your articles were a great help.  Thanks for all the help and feedback - from you and everyone.  Part of my problem has been that I finally started shooting RAW files this year and man do they eat up space in a hurry.

Sandy

"There's a lot of people that are in so much of a hurry to be, I guess, to be famous or that they don't want to take the time to learn to play and do all that.They'd rather just knock it down off a computer and maybe get on a game show and get famous..That's fine if that's what you want to do.
"We're more old school than that. We like creating the sounds."  - Tom Petty

Re: "Cloud" storage

Good to hear that you got caught up on your DVD backup.  Don't feel too bad about not keeping as current as you might like.  Lots of people never ever get around to making backups, so you're ahead of many on that count.

Nice work on getting the external drive updated and functional.  As I said before, 2TB will hold a lot of files, even in RAW format.

Glad the information helped.  If you have more questions when you have another look at the cloud as an archive option, you know where to ask.

Play like you've worked at it, and don't worry about sounding like your influences.  You can't cheat on them, or your practice, anyway.  If you've worked hard at your skill, your audience will know it.