CrashPlan...
As many photographers know, backing up our precious images is a major concern. Back in the days of negatives and transparencies (slides), we dutifully placed them in sleeves and cataloged them carefully in files so we could always get to them when we needed to. The most anal of us, wrote notes on the sleeves as to exposure information, etc. We also kept copious notes in a small spiral notebook that we carried in our pockets in the field so we would know that same information - where, when, f-stop, shutter speed, ASA (now ISO), focal length, etc.
Now days with modern digital cameras, EXIF data is written to each file with this same information - even GPS coordinates with some cameras if properly equipped. Some of us still take notes but usually not as often or as detailed. Now days, in lieu of file cabinets filled with negatives and transparencies, we have hard drives filled with image files. Each of us has some favorite method to cataloging and arranging our files so we can find them when we need them.
In both of the above scenarios, photographers face the possibility of a lifetime of hard work being damaged or destroyed if our images are not properly duplicated and copies stored in multiple locations. You can make as many backups of your image library as you want but if they are all stored in a central location, you face catastrophic loss if that location burns down or is otherwise damaged.
For this reason, let me introduce you to CrashPlan. CrashPlan is a cloud storage solution that allows you to store a sync'ed backup your entire digital photographic library online, on safe, secure servers that not only provide you with instant access but also provide unlimited storage for a reasonable price.
I know what you are saying - there are dozens of cloud storage solutions out there - why should I choose CrashPlan? I thought the same thing and looked at multiple options when searching for a place to put my image files. The feature which CrashPlan offers that no one else did was seeded backups! For a reasonable, additional fee, they send you a terabyte portable hard drive to copy your first backup set onto - saving you potentially hundreds of gigabytes of upload time (and bandwidth) to get all your files into the cloud. Once you get your backup onto their drive, simply send it back via the pre-paid FedEx box and they upload it to their servers locally. Once complete, turn on CrashPlan in the background on your computer of choice and it will keep your photo library up to date in the cloud. Go out on a shoot - offload your files to your computer - edit in Photoshop - whatever, CrashPlan will quietly and discretely upload all the new files and changes to the cloud.
CrashPlan's free software (Mac's, PC's and Linux) also offers local backup for no additional fee. Not only will it backup of all your selected data to the cloud but you can keep it sync'ed and backed up to another computer on your local network as well.
Now - when catastrophe strikes - your digital photo library is waiting, safely and securely for you when you get everything back under control. You can even have them send your backup files to you on a portable drive for reloading at your end in lieu of downloading the whole thing.
For more information - check out CrashPlan yourself. For an initial investment of around $150, you can have peace of mind that your entire image library is safe and secure in the cloud. After that, it's less than $50 a year to keep it backed up...
CrashPlan
Take care all...
Bill
Now days with modern digital cameras, EXIF data is written to each file with this same information - even GPS coordinates with some cameras if properly equipped. Some of us still take notes but usually not as often or as detailed. Now days, in lieu of file cabinets filled with negatives and transparencies, we have hard drives filled with image files. Each of us has some favorite method to cataloging and arranging our files so we can find them when we need them.
In both of the above scenarios, photographers face the possibility of a lifetime of hard work being damaged or destroyed if our images are not properly duplicated and copies stored in multiple locations. You can make as many backups of your image library as you want but if they are all stored in a central location, you face catastrophic loss if that location burns down or is otherwise damaged.
For this reason, let me introduce you to CrashPlan. CrashPlan is a cloud storage solution that allows you to store a sync'ed backup your entire digital photographic library online, on safe, secure servers that not only provide you with instant access but also provide unlimited storage for a reasonable price.
I know what you are saying - there are dozens of cloud storage solutions out there - why should I choose CrashPlan? I thought the same thing and looked at multiple options when searching for a place to put my image files. The feature which CrashPlan offers that no one else did was seeded backups! For a reasonable, additional fee, they send you a terabyte portable hard drive to copy your first backup set onto - saving you potentially hundreds of gigabytes of upload time (and bandwidth) to get all your files into the cloud. Once you get your backup onto their drive, simply send it back via the pre-paid FedEx box and they upload it to their servers locally. Once complete, turn on CrashPlan in the background on your computer of choice and it will keep your photo library up to date in the cloud. Go out on a shoot - offload your files to your computer - edit in Photoshop - whatever, CrashPlan will quietly and discretely upload all the new files and changes to the cloud.
CrashPlan's free software (Mac's, PC's and Linux) also offers local backup for no additional fee. Not only will it backup of all your selected data to the cloud but you can keep it sync'ed and backed up to another computer on your local network as well.
Now - when catastrophe strikes - your digital photo library is waiting, safely and securely for you when you get everything back under control. You can even have them send your backup files to you on a portable drive for reloading at your end in lieu of downloading the whole thing.
For more information - check out CrashPlan yourself. For an initial investment of around $150, you can have peace of mind that your entire image library is safe and secure in the cloud. After that, it's less than $50 a year to keep it backed up...
CrashPlan
Take care all...
Bill
posted by Bill Langton at
3:27 PM
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