I'm going to use safecopy:
hris:
Comparing to Mozy and Carbonite
Call accepted by operator chat. Currently in room: Chris, chat.
chat:
Hello Chris, I'd be happy to talk about Mozy and Carbonite with you.
chat:
Anything in particular or do you want me to give an overview?
Chris:
Here's my situation
Chris:
I have two pc's, and two mac's
Chris:
I just lost 450 gb of every bit of data on my pc's harddrives
chat:
sorry to hear that...
Chris:
I need a way to automatically backup my harddrives on all computers for a reasonable price
Chris:
Also, according to carbonite, they limit the types of files
Chris:
If I select my c drive, for example, does it limit the types of files on your system too?
chat:
Yes, Carbonite does have limits. SafeCopy does not have limits to the types or size of files.
Chris:
Okay, that's a step in the right direction for sure
chat:
As a recommendation, you will typically want to exclude system and program files since they typically have to be reinstalled rather than just having files restored.
Chris:
What about the external drives I have connected to my computers, as well?
chat:
External drives, USB drives, no problem
chat:
it's your storage, we want you to use it.
Chris:
k, just checking my notes...hang on for a sec please
Chris:
Do you have an unlimited plan?
chat:
We do not limit the number of computers you can backup in a plan, however we do limited the storage space.
chat:
We have a 150GB plan and a 250GB plan.
Chris:
Can you increase that?
chat:
Sounds like you need more, which we could increase for you.
Chris:
Yes, all my harddrives are 500gb harddrives
Chris:
and one TB harddrive, as well
chat:
Do you have 450GB of actual data or is that programs and system files as well?
Chris:
Well, that was everything just off my pc's
Chris:
I'm a photographer and do video, as well, which is why it's rather large capacities that I need
chat:
Ah, now that makes sense.
Chris:
What's the plan above 250gb?
chat:
On average people seem to have about 30GB of actual files.
Chris:
I have way more than that just in video.
Chris:
Thousands of pictures...or at least I did have...damn it!
chat:
I would expect it would be close to double the cost, but I'll have to get your email and send you an exact price for 500GB and 1TB plans if you like.
Chris:
k, work your magic:
chrisrademacher@fastmail.fm
Chris:
Also, more questions before you leave, please
chat:
Yes
Chris:
So, how does it maintain it's backup exactly?
Chris:
Changes?
Chris:
Deleted files?
Chris:
How long does it store past copies onc changed, etc?
chat:
We actually keep deleted files (unlike Mozy and Carbonite)
chat:
You can delete them from your backup, but we don't.
Chris:
Ah, see you're hitting on all cylinders now
Chris:
Of course, because you want us to max it out and pay more...makes sense!
chat:
We unlimited versions of your changed files and you can restore any of them from our online interface.
chat:
True, and they want to conserve space on their "unlimited" plans
chat:
Chris:
Yep, they sure do
chat:
Regarding duplicate files...
Chris:
It's just like verizon's unlimited bandwidth plan that's limited to 5gb...go figure!
chat:
if you have multiple copies we only backup one automatically conserving space for you.
Chris:
Can you explain that a little bit more please?
chat:
that works for great for dupliate itunes, photos, etc on multiple computers.
chat:
it will "appear" in your backup like we have backed it up twice, but actually we only have to upload and store a single copy
Chris:
k, so that brings up a good point
Chris:
How does you I distinguish which files came from which computer?
Chris:
Meaning, if I have a computer crash, which is one of 4 computers, and I only want to restore it's files to that particular computer, how does that work since it's all together on your system?
chat:
they are all in separate buckets/folder structures for each computer
Chris:
Genius...
chat:
starts with "My Computers" and you drill into them from there
Chris:
If desired, if I have my macbook pro on the road with me, but I need a file that's from one of my other computers at home, can I log into your site and download it directly to my macbook pro
chat:
exactly
Chris:
k, so let's say I edit a file today that's been on your backup for a long time, how is that treated now?
chat:
you can also "search" for a file across all your computers Mac or PC
Chris:
Just the new file will be stored or both, and if so, how does it decipher them?
chat:
only the changed portions are sent for backup and it adds ad additional version to the file
chat:
you can restore any previous version
Chris:
Oh really?
chat:
Yes, when you view a file in our web portal, it displays the number of "versions" available for that file. You can click and restore to any previous version.
Chris:
So, if I've adjusted a file 5 times over the last year, I can go all the way back to the first version and restore it later if I needed to for some reason?
Chris:
Very cool...
chat:
I know it sounds like magic.
Chris:
LOL...
Chris:
So, in your opinion, is there some things that carbonite and mozy do that your site doesn't do?
chat:
We have a Mac client, Carbonite doesn't.
Chris:
Theirs just came out...not sure how stable, though
chat:
You need an account for EACH computer with theirs.
chat:
Cool.
Chris:
yes, good point
chat:
Our Mac client is little behind the features of our Windows client. but catching up quickly.
Chris:
in what ways?
chat:
We have a simple method to share large files where a private download link is sent.
Chris:
k, like that for sure
chat:
that's a nice feature and I'm not sure how Mozy or Carbonite handle it.
Chris:
Is it password accessible?
chat:
Never.
chat:
ah you mean the download link
Chris:
yes, sorry
chat:
no, just a link where you set an expiration date on the link when you send it
Chris:
k, good enough
Chris:
What else?
Chris:
How does it actually function on my computer and how demanding is it on my wireless and other normal computer functions?
chat:
Regarding the Mac client, the file selection process is currently a bit weak and being updated in a couple weeks.
Chris:
Does it stop working when I'm working on the computer?
chat:
yes, it includes an Auto Throttle technology which monitors your computer and bandwidth.
chat:
but our client is very small and typically not noticed...only a 3MB download.
Chris:
So, if I'm downloading something or using my FTP client for my website, it will deactivate what it's doing to maximize my computer's usage towards what I'm trying to accomplish?
chat:
It actually works all the time, but backs off when in heavy use.
Chris:
Gotcha, so 3mb/sec all the time, then?
chat:
No, the 3MB is the size of the installer.
Chris:
yes, gotcha...no worries there obviously
chat:
The file transfer happens in 100k encrypted chunks of data.
Chris:
K, gotcha
Chris:
When you say the mac client is not as good when selecting files as it is for the pc, can you explain a little further on the differences in functionality?
chat:
Yes, you can select the default of My Documents(which is an auto select of Users folder) or select an individual folder. Shortly we will allow for a tree of folders where you can select.
Chris:
When you say 250gb of space, this is pure storage space and has nothing to do with transfer to and from of files, correct? Any limitation to transfers of data?
chat:
I use a Mac and PC as well. We are also working to develop a unified client where the interface will be the same for all platforms.
chat:
Correct, unlimited transfer.
Chris:
And, of course as it's updated, it would automatically be included or grandfathered in, right?
Chris:
k, thanks on the transfer info
chat:
If you like you can go with the 250GB and upgrade if it's full.
Chris:
So, now for pc or mac, I can select my documents and it will backup all files and folders within that folder, correct?
chat:
YES, all the software is really just a tool to configure your backup and securely upload data.
chat:
All the searching, sharing, etc is done in our Web Console.
Chris:
Any other key differences/advantages/disadvantages between this and Carbonite and Mozy?
chat:
yes, you do not need our software installed to access/restore your files.
Chris:
Very nice...
chat:
also if you migrate from one computer to another it's a pain with carbonite/mozy
Chris:
Yeah, I've heard of people losing all their data because of the transition
chat:
With SafeCopy, just backup your old computer. move your data to the new computer and back it up as well. SafeCopy will only ding your storage for a single copy so you get to keep an exact copy of your old computer files as you had them organized
Chris:
Nice
Chris:
What about software?
chat:
I haven't used Mozy as much, but I can first hand that our client takes less system resources than Carbonite by far.
Chris:
k, good to know...
Chris:
I'm trying to think of anything else I'd need to know
Chris:
If I start with the lowest plan to start, will it automatically upgrade me if I run out of space?
chat:
It will not automatically upgrade you, but if you email support we can upgrade your account manually anytime. All your settings and files of course remain unchanged, we just increase the limit.
Chris:
k, anything else on why safecopy is the better solution?
chat:
automation on that is coming
chat:
YES.
chat:
From a technical standpoint our File System is superior. It's designed for online backup with native encryption, compression, search and fault-tollerance.
Chris:
Sounds good, not really sure what it means, though...lol
chat:
So rather than layering many third party systems to provide this, we have a storage platform which handles this.
chat:
No problem.
Chris:
Gotcha...what about security, encryption, key codes, and potential loss of data?
chat:
your files are encrypted before they ever leave your computer and then transferred in an encrypted session on top of that. then the storage system has built-in encryption so we couldn't get to your files without your login even if we tried.
Chris:
chances of you guys losing our data?
chat:
Designed to keep them in the event of multiple failures along the way...lots of safeguards and redundancies in place.
chat:
Biggest opportunity for a problem for any online backup service is someone getting your credentials and accessing/deleting your data.
chat:
So pick a good password! and keep it secure!
Chris:
k, so if I open an account now on my pc, I'll download the software, select what files I want to backup, and I'm done with this pc, right?
Chris:
Then on my macbook, what do I do to get it going, along with the two other computers, as well?
chat:
Yes
Chris:
What about my iphone?
chat:
then on any other computers, just download and during installation, select the option that you already have an account
Chris:
k, easy enough
chat:
the iphone app is free, just download and sign-in with your account
chat:
BTW, how did you find us?
Chris:
k, I'm going to start with the 150gb for now, since I just lost all my data anyways...time to rebuild
Chris:
Macrumors.com
Chris:
online forum
chat:
sounds good
chat:
thanks for chatting
Chris: