Crashplan (offsite) do I need it still?

[flynz4]

For a variety of reasons, I've switched to Arq/Amazon Glacier instead of Crashplan. Check it out: http://www.haystacksoftware.com/arq/

My problem is with Arq/Amazon is cost. It is not bad if you have a small amount of data. My primary machine is 1.6TB... so at the current cost of $0.01/GB that single machine would cost $16/month.

I currently have 8 machines being backed up (sometimes I have 9). My total data on Crashplan is 3.385 TB so I would be paying about $34/month. By contrast... my total cost for Crashplan+ is about $6/month (under a buck per computer). Next time I renew (~2.8 years from now)... my costs (at current rates) will increase to $9/month... or a tad over a buck a computer).

It is really hard to beat that pricing.

/Jim

 

[MrMister111]

Thinking all I would be gutted about would be iTunes and iPhoto library. Everything else is nigh on in the icloud.

Don't do work or stuff, keep a lot in Dropbox with documents etc so maybe a external HDD...?..

 

[kon46]

Very interesting thread indeed. I have done most of what everyone has suggested over the years but finally settled on CrashPlan for basic peace of mind and it is quite inexpensive. I still do time machine several times per week plus I have a clone of my internal hard drive on an external hard drive plus I now have an external SSD drive that I use as well for the same purpose( presently running Yosemite beta on that external SSD). The external SSD came into my life as a result of upgrading my internal SSD on MBP to a bigger drive. External SSD is very fast via USB3...SSD are also getting cheaper. I have gone paperless so protection and data backup are crucial to me.

One comment for the guy who got the electric surge damage...get a whole house surge protector and have it wired into your house by a licensed electrician...works best if your neighborhood has buried electric supply lines. Again, cheap protection and much more effective than in house individual surge protectors or UPS. Look into it...

 

[MrMister111]

Crashplan (offsite) do I need it still?

Well my sub is almost up for crash plan, and I am thinking of not renewing. I have to say its convenient now the initial backup is complete, and works behind the scenes when using my iMac.

But for what I really need it for, iTunes and iPhoto backups, I think maybe a HDD offsite may do, even a CCC backup also, only thing is would personally like it encrypted or password protected.

So on a single HDD could I have a CCC image, a direct copy of my iTunes and iPhoto libraries, and another time machine backup all on the one disk? and have them password or encrypted? This would cover all bases I think then.

Thanks

 

[glenthompson]

One plus for Crashplan is the iPad app. I can access any of my Mac files via the backup. Gives me more space than my free Dropbox account.

 

[talmy]

So on a single HDD could I have a CCC image, a direct copy of my iTunes and iPhoto libraries, and another time machine backup all on the one disk? and have them password or encrypted? This would cover all bases I think then.

One storage device counts as only one backup no matter how many copies of your data goes on it. You need multiple backup devices to cover all bases. This covers all bases:

1. Time Machine for quick recovery of accidental deletions and other goofs. That's one drive always connected for best results. (A Time Capsule or equivalent if you need wireless.)

2. A pair of cloned drives, alternating between them and keeping one off-site at all times. Why? Well you need something off-site in case of theft, fire, or natural disaster. And you need a pair because if a bad drive is discovered while you are making the clone generally clone will end up being bad as well.

3. For extra security, especially if you "forget" to do 2, cloud backup. Good as a last resort. Also allows remotely accessing the data.

 

[flynz4]

One storage device counts as only one backup no matter how many copies of your data goes on it. You need multiple backup devices to cover all bases. This covers all bases:

1. Time Machine for quick recovery of accidental deletions and other goofs. That's one drive always connected for best results. (A Time Capsule or equivalent if you need wireless.)

2. A pair of cloned drives, alternating between them and keeping one off-site at all times. Why? Well you need something off-site in case of theft, fire, or natural disaster. And you need a pair because if a bad drive is discovered while you are making the clone generally clone will end up being bad as well.

3. For extra security, especially if you "forget" to do 2, cloud backup. Good as a last resort. Also allows remotely accessing the data.

Nice list.

I would personally reverse items 2 & 3.... because the primary cause of failed backups in backup strategies that rely on human intervention... are the human beings themselves.

/Jim

 

[Joe323]

What's the difference between using a service like CrashPlan vs something like OneDrive, GoogleDrive and the upcoming iCloud Drive? Are those services more focused on syncing? CrashPlan seems like a great deal compared to them at only $60/year for unlimited storage.

 

[grahamperrin]

… OneDrive, GoogleDrive and the upcoming iCloud Drive? Are those services more focused on syncing? …

I would not say, focused on syncing.

I assume that none of those three services will easily allow you to restore from a backup at a particular point in time – where there exist multiple backups (multiple points in time) of a single file, or collection of files, in the service.

(Compare with Apple's approaches to Time Machine and permanent version storage.)

 

[Weaselboy]

What's the difference between using a service like CrashPlan vs something like OneDrive, GoogleDrive and the upcoming iCloud Drive? Are those services more focused on syncing? CrashPlan seems like a great deal compared to them at only $60/year for unlimited storage.

Those services are more for syncing/storing just personal data like documents and photos. Where services like Crashplan backup everything.

For example, here is a screenshot of folders in my user ~/Library folder. All those folders and the data in them are backed up to Crashplan so I can restore them if I need to recover from a catastrophe. The sync services you mentioned don't do that.

 

[Windowsrefugee]

Another CP option...

Well my sub is almost up for crash plan, and I am thinking of not renewing. I have to say its convenient now the initial backup is complete, and works behind the scenes when using my iMac.

But for what I really need it for, iTunes and iPhoto backups, I think maybe a HDD offsite may do, even a CCC backup also, only thing is would personally like it encrypted or password protected.

So on a single HDD could I have a CCC image, a direct copy of my iTunes and iPhoto libraries, and another time machine backup all on the one disk? and have them password or encrypted? This would cover all bases I think then.

Thanks

CrashPlan has another great FREE option for off site back up. I consider reliable off site back up a critical part of any back up strategy in case of theft or fire. So, we hang a back up drive (pre-seeded from direct connection to the computer(s) being backed up) off of a relative's computer in town. CP can be set to back up to that drive for FREE as long as the back up computer and drive are on. Similarly, our daughter is >1000 miles away and backs her computer up to a HDD attached to our iMac. If she ever has a problem she could either access files remotely or we can FedEx her the HDD. So, you can have off site back up anywhere, performed reliably, regularly and automatically for free with CP. I find this approach more reliable than trying to remember to back up to a HDD and shuttle it off somewhere weekly. Just take the same HDD, and do encrypted back up with it attached to a trusted remote computer. You will have your cake and eat it, too.

 

[MrMister111]

Well I have to decide very soon if to continue....

As I've said for me it's my iTunes and iPhoto library what is the most important. Will the new iCloud photo library back up all photos like iPhoto does? or is it just photos taken on an iPad/iPhone?

 

[Weaselboy]

Well I have to decide very soon if to continue....

As I've said for me it's my iTunes and iPhoto library what is the most important. Will the new iCloud photo library back up all photos like iPhoto does? or is it just photos taken on an iPad/iPhone?

From what it looked like during the Yosemite demo you would be able to store your entire photo library in iCloud. I believe you won't be able to do this until the new Photos OS X app comes out in the spring though.

 

[MrMister111]

From what it looked like during the Yosemite demo you would be able to store your entire photo library in iCloud. I believe you won't be able to do this until the new Photos OS X app comes out in the spring though.

Watched again and looks the way trouble is it's only 20Gb free. The way iPhoto works the database file gets very large, mines much bugger than that so it's going to cost to have more Gb for the backup, so have to balance between it and Crashplan

I've asked Crashplan for a discount this year and they've said a sharp no way, you got a discount when signing up so now it's tough!! It's $190 for 4 years so around $4/month but that's for everything backed up on 1 Mac/computer.

 

[Weaselboy]

Watched again and looks the way trouble is it's only 20Gb free. The way iPhoto works the database file gets very large, mines much bugger than that so it's going to cost to have more Gb for the backup, so have to balance between it and Crashplan

I've asked Crashplan for a discount this year and they've said a sharp no way, you got a discount when signing up so now it's tough!! It's $190 for 4 years so around $4/month but that's for everything backed up on 1 Mac/computer.

From the little information that has been released on the Photos app it appears it will help some with that data bloat. Now with iPhoto if you have a 4MB JPG and you edit it in any way, it saves another 4MB version with the changes. So you end up with 8MB of storage for one 4MB photo. From what it looks like the new Photos app won't do that.

I have Crashplan too and have been watching how all this goes with the iCloud backup options. With the way other storage option prices have been dropping, I was a little surprised to see Crashplan raise their process like they did.

 

[MrMister111]

That's why iPhoto goes so large...

So what are you thinking then especially since you use Crashplan? If go for the 200Gb iCloud it works out same as Crashplan 4 year plan: $4/month.

With Crashplan it does everything on the Mac though and is unlimited Gb.

 

[Weaselboy]

That's why iPhoto goes so large...

So what are you thinking then especially since you use Crashplan? If go for the 200Gb iCloud it works out same as Crashplan 4 year plan: $4/month.

With Crashplan it does everything on the Mac though and is unlimited Gb.

I am thinking I will just watch how this plays out. I have about 25GB I backup to Crashplan, so the iCloud option might be a better deal for me.

I use AppleTV a lot for viewing photos, so the idea of having everything on iCloud appeals to me.

This will be interesting to watch.

 

[talmy]

Hmm, iCloud and Crashplan are totally different programs and serve different needs. iCloud is not a backup -- if you delete a file in the cloud, it is gone. Crashplan is more like an offsite TimeMachine. It doesn't transfer immediately so can't be relied upon for syncing two systems. I don't use iCloud (but I've tested it). I use CrashPlan and DropBox and don't see any overlap.

I'd never put "all my eggs in one basket" with either of these. Apple hasn't had a good history with cloud services. Crashplan seems to be in it for the long haul but when I went to renew I found the prices had nearly doubled. Still a good deal IMHO, but I feel like I may end up being a hostage to ever climbing bills.

 

[MrMister111]

Crashplan (offsite) do I need it still?

Yeh the prices for CP have went up and I've emailed a few times and they've just flatly refused any discount. Said I'd leave if not, didn't care.

If iCloud photo works as I think it is a backup in one sense, but understand what you mean when say delete it and it's gone whereas CP keeps previous versions etc.

My initial thinking for CP was I had no offsite security so wanted to do that, primarily for iTunes and iPhoto. Took ages to upload the 100Gb I needed to, but now obviously works as and when.

The app for CP looks like it's from the 90s though, although does it's job I suppose.

If I don't get CP, I'll either have to manual copy iTunes and iPhoto to an external HDD and take offsite, or look for another service. Not sure many had unlimited Gb though like CP so that was the draw for me. iTunes and iPhoto only ever get bigger over time. Also I think CP allow backup of external USB HDD backups that are connected to the Mac?

 

[talmy]

Also I think CP allow backup of external USB HDD backups that are connected to the Mac?

Sure does! And they also have a plan that covers all your computers (see my signature line -- I've got lots!). I'm currently backing up 5 Macs at two locations and one (the server) has external drives. A bit over 1.5TB in total. I could back up more but don't do stuff that I would only be restoring in case of drive failure (and then from cloned backups).

 

[flynz4]

Hmm, iCloud and Crashplan are totally different programs and serve different needs. iCloud is not a backup -- if you delete a file in the cloud, it is gone. Crashplan is more like an offsite TimeMachine. It doesn't transfer immediately so can't be relied upon for syncing two systems. I don't use iCloud (but I've tested it). I use CrashPlan and DropBox and don't see any overlap.

I'd never put "all my eggs in one basket" with either of these. Apple hasn't had a good history with cloud services. Crashplan seems to be in it for the long haul but when I went to renew I found the prices had nearly doubled. Still a good deal IMHO, but I feel like I may end up being a hostage to ever climbing bills.

Once again... Tom comes through as one of the participants on MacRumors who has the clearest thought process.

BTW: Even after their price increases... CrashPlan continues to be one of the best values in offsite backup. They probably are still the best.

Take a look at my usage: Total over 3.3TB of backup across 8 computers for my current price of $6/month. I know that will go up by a few bucks next time I renew... but still... what a deal!!!


/Jim

 

[Weaselboy]

Hmm, iCloud and Crashplan are totally different programs and serve different needs. iCloud is not a backup -- if you delete a file in the cloud, it is gone. Crashplan is more like an offsite TimeMachine. It doesn't transfer immediately so can't be relied upon for syncing two systems. I don't use iCloud (but I've tested it). I use CrashPlan and DropBox and don't see any overlap.

I'd never put "all my eggs in one basket" with either of these. Apple hasn't had a good history with cloud services. Crashplan seems to be in it for the long haul but when I went to renew I found the prices had nearly doubled. Still a good deal IMHO, but I feel like I may end up being a hostage to ever climbing bills.

I agree with your point about backup vs iCloud "sync", but if one has local versioned backups (I have two) the iCloud setup might meet the offsite storage in case the house burns down need for someone like me.

The idea of having all my documents, music, and photos in iCloud and availalbe anywhere from any device is appealing. Just waiting to see how they implement all this next year.

BTW: Even after their price increases... CrashPlan continues to be one of the best values in offsite backup. They probably are still the best.

Take a look at my usage: Total over 3.3TB of backup across 8 computers for my current price of $6/month. I know that will go up by a few bucks next time I renew... but still... what a deal!!!

It is a pretty good deal for someone like you that really needs the "unlimited" aspect of Crashplan. But not so much for me with about 25GB on Crashplan. I can backup/store 25GB on Amazon S3 for about 75 cents a month vs. about $4 a month Crashplan is costing me.