MAINTechnology Backup Software

IT experts have a saying, "back it up or lose it!"

Even the best computers don't last forever and one day your system will likely crash. That's when data recovery will be uppermost in your mind.

If you have been backing up your files and pictures, you can easily transfer everything onto another computer. If you haven't, years worth of your pictures and work related data can be lost.

What is backup software?

Backup software programs make a duplicate copy of the files on your computer and let you store those files on a disk, flash drive, external hard drive or other portable device. Your work files, digital photos, music, movies, email, address lists and anything else that is important to you or your business can be saved in case of a computer crash or other catastrophe.

Is it really that important to backup your files?

Consider this scenario

• Vacation trip - $4000
• Digital camera - $400
• Family dinner at the best restaurant in the area - $600
• Vacation pictures - priceless
• Paying to recover those priceless pictures after a computer crash? $1500 or more for a professional service to retrieve your memories — if they can even be recovered!

If you work on your computer, a crash or local flooding or other catastrophe can cost more than you can afford. Without a backup, all of your business files, contacts, billing, history, and records are gone.

You may be able to pull some of the data you lost from your online web site host server, you may have some of the records in an online email account... but chances are that many of your most important files and documents will be gone forever.

Don't put yourself in a situation where you have to pay the price for not having a backup of the files you really can't afford to lose.

Check out some of the best software, utilities, tools, services and reviews for backing up your data and saving your memories... or your business.

More about data backup around the Web:

Backup - Reviews and Comparisons - from PC Magazine - You'll find expert reviews of backup software in most price ranges. See what works and what doesn't, find out which software package will provide the backup services you need at a price you can afford.

Epinions - Software Utilities - Backup & Compress - This site has thousands of backup utilities listed and lets you choose products to compare to each other. Many have customer reviews and if the software is sold at retail stores, you can compare prices.

Backup Software - Reviews and Free Downloads at CNET's Download.com - CNET's techy editors as well as plenty of users provide reviews based on the five star system. MAC and Windows are both included. There are pricey backup packages and free tools mixed here. Compare them to find a utility that fits your budget. Also check out CNET's Best external storage drives.

NONAGS - Freeware - Backup Software - These disk backup tools are rated on a one to six rating system with 6/6 being the best. At this price, no one can afford to skip backing up sensitive data, music, pictures, movies and personal files.

Backup Software - Utilities - ZDNet.co.uk- Sort the massive list of backup software products by how many times each has been downloaded, editors' rating, backup package name or date added. Just click on the download button and a page with the full review, licensing restrictions and more opens. If you want the package just download and you're ready to start backing up your system.

How to choose an external storage format for backup files - Microsoft article on the different options for storing your backup files is written for the home user and makes complicated information easy to understand.

Free backup software, discussion and general information overload- Very user friendly site that focuses on the problems everyone shares with backing up data. Lots of articles and other sections with advice, explanations and reviews.

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