Dear FileSlinger clients, colleagues, and friends. No discussion of tape as a backup solution would be complete without treating the subject of Tape Rotation, or, more generally, Backup Rotation. Plug either phrase into Google and you’ll get a vast collection of hits outlining different strategies based on how many tapes you use and how often you back up. Why rotate tapes at all? Why not … [Read more...]

I thought I'd go look on Technorati and see who else might be blogging on the subject of backup, and found the site "Backup Brain," most of which is not about backups at all. It does however have a prominent link to a product called "10 Quick Steps to Perfect Backups," available in PDF and MP3 formats for $20 each. According to the publishers, it's a best seller. A new subscriber to the … [Read more...]

Dear FileSlinger™ clients, colleagues, and friends: Before I get started on this week's column, I want to introduce you to my new Backup Blog. Ever since I signed up for Google Alerts on the topic of "backup", I'm overwhelmed with information, and the blog gives me a chance to post links to the most interesting bits in between reminders. It also allows me to publish the back issues of this … [Read more...]

Dear FileSlinger clients, colleagues, and friends: Happy New Year! Get 2005 off to a good start: back up your data. I was preparing to start the year with a review of backup terminology when I came across a website I just had to tell you about: the Novastor Backup University. The web page comes complete with a photo of graduates receiving diplomas, though I don't believe they actually offer a … [Read more...]