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Mac Mozy Online Backup Service Announced

Just backup to DVD. Faster, cheaper, and you can use it with any computer anytime you want. This thing is a waste of money imho.
 
vitaflo said:
Just backup to DVD. Faster, cheaper, and you can use it with any computer anytime you want. This thing is a waste of money imho.
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Try backing up 50GB or more to 4GB DVDs. Sit there forever switching DVDs. Then you add a file to the directory on disk 3. Where do you put the new file? How do you keep up with it all?

Easier to backup to a hard drive these days. They're dirt cheap, $80 for 250GB. Back everything up, stick it in the closet or in someone elses house for disaster recovery.

Nice thing about network backup is if your house burns down... with your backup DVDs or backup harddrive, you can still get your most valuable data back, ie irreplaceable pictures, videos, etc.
 
I'm sure they won't have a problem with going out of business just because they're only charging $5 a month. I'm going on the assumption they've made calculations and figured that $5 a month would cover any costs/lease/rent of networking/storage equipment. The question is how much space they actually have for each person. What happens if a huge influx of customers all decide to backup 300GB each. Will they run out of server space? :confused:
 
legacyb4 said:
This seems to work although there is still an outstanding bug (I think) that doesn't update the Backup Set unless the Mozy application is opened again (which updates the cache.db file).

I've gone ahead and upgraded my account to administrator level to do some testing so I'll see how that goes.
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Thanks! Looks promising. I just changed owner to /Library/Application Support/Mozy and everything under it. Now at least the configuration panel works, but the backup didn't. I figure I probably need to reboot, but can't right now. I'll try it later.
 
dmelgar said:
Try backing up 50GB or more to 4GB DVDs. Sit there forever switching DVDs. Then you add a file to the directory on disk 3. Where do you put the new file? How do you keep up with it all?
Click to expand...

I do just fine, only I use dual layer DVDs. I keep my stuff pretty orgainized and never have had a problem. I probably have 500gb backed up to dvd, stored at work.

dmelgar said:
Easier to backup to a hard drive these days. They're dirt cheap, $80 for 250GB. Back everything up, stick it in the closet or in someone elses house for disaster recovery.
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I do both. I have a 2TB server (four 500gb drives). Back up to firewire drives, then store them. I still keep the dvd's for essentials though. You never know when a HD will go bad.
 
Just backed up my Documents, which is the only thing that would fit free and is the most valuable to me anyway, and got speeds averaging 980Kb/sec on cable. Pretty darn good.
 
Jsut signed up for the unlimited account and now uploading 150GB of stuff at 1024Kb/s but it still claims 9days and 17hrs!

This looks great.... probably slow cos you lot are all uploading!
 
vitaflo said:
I do just fine, only I use dual layer DVDs. I keep my stuff pretty orgainized and never have had a problem. I probably have 500gb backed up to dvd, stored at work...I do both. I have a 2TB server (four 500gb drives). Back up to firewire drives, then store them. I still keep the dvd's for essentials though. You never know when a HD will go bad.
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Well, to each his/her own. But for those of us who don't have 2TB of storage at home or space for 60+ DVDs at work, $5/month sounds pretty reasonable - especially if the house burns down or the computer is crushed in an earthquake. Debating backup strategies is like debating Windows vs. OS X - it could go on and on.
 
USD59.40/year Vs. Own HDD

I guess this works great for you guys. I was about to sign up and then I calculated how much of the actual files I would like to archive and have around less than 200GB of pictures, videos, documents, etc.

At the rate I see how slow the upload is I then decided to invest in another internal SATA II 500GB hard disk specifically for archiving useage only.

In the long run it will hopefully save me time and money.

All I did was download LaCie's FREE Silverkeeper software which automatically archives files you want on the time you set and even at computer startup. It can compare only changed files so it doesn't have to do it all over again and still archive everyday.

Just an option for you guys to be aware of for fellow Mac users. :apple:
 
LeonPro said:
I guess this works great for you guys. I was about to sign up and then I calculated how much of the actual files I would like to archive and have around less than 200GB of pictures, videos, documents, etc.

At the rate I see how slow the upload is I then decided to invest in another internal SATA II 500GB hard disk specifically for archiving useage only.

In the long run it will hopefully save me time and money.

All I did was download LaCie's FREE Silverkeeper software which automatically archives files you want on the time you set and even at computer startup. It can compare only changed files so it doesn't have to do it all over again and still archive everyday.

Just an option for you guys to be aware of for fellow Mac users. :apple:
Click to expand...

Yes but again you don't have the benefit of off site storage in case of fire flood etc etc
 
vitaflo said:
I do just fine, only I use dual layer DVDs. I keep my stuff pretty orgainized and never have had a problem. I probably have 500gb backed up to dvd, stored at work.



I do both. I have a 2TB server (four 500gb drives). Back up to firewire drives, then store them. I still keep the dvd's for essentials though. You never know when a HD will go bad.
Click to expand...

DVD's and HD's don't last long enough.

I use the only time tested data storage format and etch 1's and 0's into clay tablets.
 
eenu said:
Yes but again you don't have the benefit of off site storage in case of fire flood etc etc
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Well, I guess that's what is making it a good deal.

Btw, how long does a hard drive or it's data last since people have been saying it won't last.
 
LeonPro said:
Well, I guess that's what is making it a good deal.

Btw, how long does a hard drive or it's data last since people have been saying it won't last.
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I think you mean how long does a DVD or CD last. That all depends on how it is stored but i have found data corruption on crappy quality disks within 2 years
 
eenu said:
I think you mean how long does a DVD or CD last. That all depends on how it is stored but i have found data corruption on crappy quality disks within 2 years
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I don't back up to DVD or CD since I agree it won't last as long depending on storage conditions.

But I really meant to know if HDD or data on the HDD lasts a long time if used as archive purpose - just sitting there and being read/written infrequently when needed.
 
Baron58 said:
Excellent! I've been hoping they'd come out with a Mac client. Nicely done, good file selection dialogue, and a Menu Bar Extra. I'm currently getting ~ 350kb/sec upload.

If you sign up, please use my referral code 7GD273 so we can both get some extra free space! :D
Click to expand...

How can you get extra free space if you have unlimited space?
 
LeonPro said:
I don't back up to DVD or CD since I agree it won't last as long depending on storage conditions.

But I really meant to know if HDD or data on the HDD lasts a long time if used as archive purpose - just sitting there and being read/written infrequently when needed.
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Then the question is how long is a piece of string?

a hard drive could fail now or in 10 years in any type of work it is used in. In fact Google did a white paper saying more frequently used drives in warmer conditions fail less. You can google for that paper.
 
imgonephishin said:
I signed up to Mozy's service a few days ago only to realize that it doesn't back up external drives. I only have a 40 gig internal in my old iMac but 350 gigs external. Checked the FAQ and it was listed right there. OK, so my fault. No worries. But I was still curious what they're reasons were for only doing internals. So I emailed them and asked:
A gentleman named Theo promptly wrote back and sounded a touch indignant that I assumed it was a cost-saving ploy:I wrote back asking if they had any timeline for implementing this when a different service rep responded saying that external drive support would possibly never be coming to the regular Mozy. Instead, he told me I could sign up for Mozy Pro, which has a much steeper price.

Moral of the story: I wouldn't have minded at all if they had just admitted it was a cost-saving measure. I understand that. But to try to make it sound like it's a complicated technological feat, but then tell me that they happen happen to have this technology in a sister service, seemed like a blatant money grab. Oh well.
Click to expand...

Anyone with a MacPro and 4 x 500 or 750 GB drives (internal drives)?
Lets see what that takes, LOL, I wonder what they say if you asked them if you are allowed to backup 2 terrabytes.

Ace25 said:
What happens if they go out of business? Is your data lost?
Click to expand...

You bet. Also you better encrypt the stuff or someone will be reading thru it. You also don't know how well is their security, some places think that all they need is a stupid firewall to be protected. Watch what you placed there, it is now within easy reach of FBI, NSA, and others and you won't even know they took a copy, all they need is a court order to the vendor and not you, so you won't know until they come knocking at the door with a set of cuffs ready.
 
I wonder if there is anywhere in the Minneapolis \ Twin cities area where I could go and pay for a really really really phat upstream pipe?

I saw this on arstech the other day. I was really impressed. The CEO himself was answering questions in the thread. Its nice to see an exec willing to slum it down here in the forums.
That being said I think I'll wait a month or so before I bite. Hopefully some of the bugs will get worked out.
Also I question how long it will stay at $5 a month though. If this service gets popular enough they may have no choice but to jack up the prices.

EagerDragon said:
You bet. Also you better encrypt the stuff or someone will be reading thru it. You also don't know how well is their security, some places think that all they need is a stupid firewall to be protected. Watch what you placed there, it is now within easy reach of FBI, NSA, and others and you won't even know they took a copy, all they need is a court order to the vendor and not you, so you won't know until they come knocking at the door with a set of cuffs ready.
Click to expand...

Read how the service works before you spout uneducated crap. Seriously. Go... http://mozy.com/support/faq Now.

akadmon said:
I don't know what the fuss is all about re remote storage :confused:

I keep DVD backups of all my "irreplaceable" stuff under lock and key at work. The chances of both my house and office burning down at the same time are, err, remote :D
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#1 - Not everyone has a remote location to store their data.
#2 - DVD's are not foolproof. All you need is one to ruin your entire day, and the more disk you have to backup the higher the chance you have data corruption.
#3 - You do the math. How many SL DVD's does it take to backup 80GB of "stuff"
#4 - I would love to see you restore a data file on a DVD that is in another location :p The nice thing about this setup is if I need a data file I could restore it from anywhere. Lets say I don't have my laptop with me. I could use any web browser and use their web interface to D\L a file.

Yes this isn't for everyone. Hell I have a 35/40 DLT tape drive hooked up to my home server. Once a year I put a set of tapes in my safety deposit box. But this is better. On the fly backups. Nice.
 
eme jota ce said:
I use the only time tested data storage format and etch 1's and 0's into clay tablets.
Click to expand...
OMG! Me too - my Masters thesis took up almost an entire tractor-trailor full of tablets (and the storage is costing me an arm and a leg!) but it's gonna be around *forever* :p

EagerDragon said:
...Also you better encrypt the stuff or someone will be reading thru it. You also don't know how well is their security, some places think that all they need is a stupid firewall to be protected. Watch what you placed there, it is now within easy reach of FBI, NSA, and others and you won't even know they took a copy, all they need is a court order to the vendor and not you, so you won't know until they come knocking at the door with a set of cuffs ready.
Click to expand...
That's why I never answer my door :D But a good observation - I think they'll allow you to encrypt it either with one of their keys, or a key that you can provide. So, they've at least put some thought into it, even if all I'm keeping out of the FBI's hands are 3GB of family photos.

EagerDragon said:
ummm, we need several people to drop a terrabyte or two a piece. Lets see if unlimited means unlimited.
Click to expand...
Touchdown - if my upstream wasn't so poor, I'd send over some archived video. Anyone want to give this a try and see if Mozy really has moxie?
 
eme jota ce said:
DVD's and HD's don't last long enough.

I use the only time tested data storage format and etch 1's and 0's into clay tablets.
Click to expand...

And what makes you think that these guys will have a backup of your backup in case their storgae goes down.

This thing is WOM/WOT. You're better off renting space in a bank vault :D
 
Most data is not unique

For those of you asking how they could possibly be making money on this business model, remember that most data is not unique. There are a least a couple of vendors out there in the PC world that I know of which make money on this model (although, I think one gets to be rather expensive after several hunder GB).

Even if you have hundreds of GB of video/audio/porn, remember that most people are not content creators. Chances are that this media exists somewhere else out there on the net. If their user base is big enough, they can do pretty clever and/or standard databasing of the metadata of each file, and just store it once (or n depending on the scheme, data colos, backups, etc). Not sure if they do this for saving/restoring because I have not seen any tech papers from them, but I would be very surprised if they did not. For those of you with 1TB of personal video of grandma snoring in the LazyBoy, you beat the system.

If you need to get a whole bunch of data up quick, buy a six pack for you local IT network guy, and ask him to attach you somewhere on the OC3. :)
 
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