Cloud Backup Backups

[tVirus]

This is probably not the best place to ask but someone might know.

I am looking to backup some of my holiday photos online. I have considered using Google Documents as the storage is pretty cheap and Google have a reputation for being very secure. I am also considering other Cloud storage services like Amazon S3, Rackspace CloudFile, and GoGrid Cloud Storage.

What I would like to know is if the storage at Google/Amazon/RackSpace/GoGrid fails, say a hard drive failure, what happens to my data? Is it lost forever, or does the cloud keep backups of its own data?

[Amit]

if you're on windows then why not use skydrive.......

about your question.....the cloud is constantly being maintained so no chance of failure because there are several backup plans in place.....your data will be just fine.....

[Robin A.]

I think anything can happen. Your data can be eventually lost. Cloud backup should not be the only backup you have.

I have used SugarSync for several months. It has worked well for me so far.

[MrBrian]

These providers very likely have redundancy in their storage systems. The greater concern IMHO is what happens if a storage provider goes out of business.

I use SpiderOak for online backup; backup of less than 2 GB is free.

[HAN]

IMO, should not be an issue. They likely make no absolute guarantees but on the other hand, they would not economically be able to continue offering storage if they didn't make it robust...

[tVirus]

Originally Posted by MrBrian

These providers very likely have redundancy in their storage systems. The greater concern IMHO is what happens if a storage provider goes out of business.

I use SpiderOak for online backup; backup of less than 2 GB is free.

More chance of going bust if its free


Thanks for all the replies

[treehouse786]

i paid £2 for 20GB of storage on google docs (you can upload and backup any file)

data should be safe for a very very long time as we all know google aint going anywhere anytime soon

[Keatah]

In my opinion, cloud services are great for convenience. Provided you have an internet connection you can access it anywhere, anytime. Basically.

Speaking from practical experience, there's nothing like your own backup service that you build yourself. You just buy a usb drive and store it in another location like a relative's house or some other offsite location away from the computer. ****.. bury it in the ground.. Put it in a baggie or two and dig a hole.