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Online Backup Solutions?

Posted by Cliff on from the just-so-long-as-you-back-up dept.

OmnipotentEntity asks: "I'm an IT Manager (and also a lifeguard, don't ask) for a small private club. Recently parts of our server's RAID went bad just as Hurricane Dennis hit, making life a living hell for me and everyone involved. So, I figured perhaps backing up information online would make stuff like this less incredibly painful. A quick browse of Google will show that there are a lot of businesses offering automatic, offsite, online backup solutions. It seems it's becoming a big thing. The largest problem is that they all look alike -- same implementation, similar websites, it looks like someone came through this part of the Internet with a cookie cutter, and by the information available on the website and pricing (which may or may not be available without filling out 100 forms) I can't tell a good company from bad company. I've never had any experience with any of these companies, and I wanted to know if any of you guys had, and if so what were your experiences with them? What are the things to look for? What are the things to avoid? Am I barking up the wrong tree?"

13 of 422 comments (clear)

  1. A lifeguard!? by paulproteus · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm curious - what is it like being a lifeguard *and* an IT manager? Does the pay compare?

    --
    |/usr/games/fortune
    1. Re:A lifeguard!? by Lev13than · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm curious - what is it like being a lifeguard *and* an IT manager?

      In many ways the jobs are quite similar. Both involve multiple safeguards against the spread of viruses, both deal with sharing limited resources against hundreds of thankless clients, and no matter how pristine you keep either work environment there's always going to be some kid that ruins it by filling your storage solution with shit.

      --
      When you have nothing left to burn you must set yourself on fire
    2. Re:A lifeguard!? by grammar+fascist · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm curious - what is it like being a lifeguard *and* an IT manager?

      I'd guess that every once in a while, he gets confused and tries to give a server mouth-to-mouth or reboot a drowned swimmer.

      --
      I got my Linux laptop at System76.
    3. Re:A lifeguard!? by sammy+baby · · Score: 2, Funny

      I was working part time as a lifeguard not long after Baywatch debuted.

      My manager was flipping channels in the break room one day, and happened to stumble across the opening credits. He turned to me with a look of awe and said, "Have you seen this? They're making lifeguards now with their own flotation devices."

    4. Re:A lifeguard!? by Rob_Bryerton · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm curious - what is it like being a lifeguard *and* an IT manager?

      Have you ever caught anyone peeing in the server room?

  2. You said don't ask... by BaudKarma · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...but I gotta.

    IT Managers get zero chicks. Lifeguards get tons of chicks. What happens when then two are combined in the same person?

    (unless of course, you are a chick yourself, in which case I apologize for my blatantly sexist remarks)

    --
    It's the land of the brave, and the home of the free
    Where the less you know, the better off you'll be.
    1. Re:You said don't ask... by fdiskne1 · · Score: 2, Funny

      A half ton of chicks? How about just one half ton chick?

      ...ok...sorry...

      --
      But why is the rum gone?
    2. Re:You said don't ask... by BlogPope · · Score: 5, Funny
      IT Managers get zero chicks. Lifeguards get tons of chicks. What happens when then two are combined in the same person?

      You get the curious effect of a "chick ring" as the attractive and repulsive forces reach an equilibrium somewhere just out of arms reach. From there they tend to fall into a stable orbit.

      --
      My other car is a Popemobile
  3. Re:Use gmail. by TrippTDF · · Score: 2, Funny

    Damnit, Larry Page! Stop with the Gurilla Marketing!

  4. Just Post the Torrent by dduardo · · Score: 2, Funny

    We'll handle the rest.

  5. Re:Use gmail. by mshmgi · · Score: 3, Funny

    Great idea ... now all I have to do is open up about 473 gmail accounts.

  6. Re:Backups online by EnronHaliburton2004 · · Score: 4, Funny

    2gB is plenty of space

    I can just imagine the look on people's faces when the article submitter, an IT Manager, goes to the staff and suggests gmail as a solution.

    Some of us have these things called a J O B. At most jobs, 2GB is NOT enough space to backup all the core systems.

    And again, what if the provider gets cracked?

    I think I understand why you think 2GB is "plenty" of space.

    --
    94% of Repubs and 21% of Dems voted to renew the Patriot Act
  7. My recommendation. by gardyloo · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's been said before, but it's a great one:

    Encrypt everything, then name the files something like "OMG_Hilton_XXX.avi" and upload to Kazaa or LimeWire or something. In 10 years you'll still be able to find copies.