Entries Tagged 'Backup Blogging' ↓

Backing up Outlook can be a real pain in the butt.  There are so many different work scenarios that it makes it difficult to present one clear best practice.  However, I’m going to focus on the small business shops out there because I think that’s where the most mistakes takes place.

The #1 easist step to back up outlook is:  to make sure that all of your email is forwarded to another account such as a gmail or hotmail account.  That way, you don’t even have to backup Outlook if you don’t want to.  This will ensure that even if that pesky PST file blows up you at least still have all of the history saved somewhere.

If you’re using a desktop computer, it’s always a good idea to store your PST file on the network.  This will ensure that it’s on a more secure, more reliable system, and in most cases, is backed up daily.

You could always use a program like ION, but I would go with the first two first if at all possible and use ION on the server.

That leads me into the #1 you should NOT do when backing up Outlook.  Many backup programs say that they can backup open files.  While it may be true, they’re leaving out the fact that they can’t restore those backed up open files.  Think about it, you are making a copy of a file that is in the process of changing.  You wouldn’t try to jack up a car while it was rolling, would you?  Kinda the same thing.  Now, it doesn’t mean that you won’t successfully jack the car up sometimes, but there’s a good chance you’re going to see a podiatrist.  So, sometimes, you’ll recover the files and sometimes you’ll be on the phone with a support guy screaming in the mist of futility.

The biggest thing to realize is that when you restore these files some or ALL of the file could be corrupt and it is very likely with Outlook files.  One thing that I do like about ION is that it will actually close and re-open Outlook to ensure that you have a proper backup file.

If you want more info on Outlook backups just shoot me an email or post a comment.  I’m happy to go into as much detail as you’d like.

-Howie H. Drive

I’m not going to lie, I’m a hard drive and typing ain’t the easiest thing.  But, it’s time for me to get back on the bus.  So much has been going on and those guys over at Universe Point are working me like a dog.  They’re currently offering their latest version of ION which allows for VAR’s, MSP’s and IT Professionals to be the off-site storage provider for their customers.

I’m not going to go into the sales pitch because they don’t give hard-drives commission.  But you should check it out.

In the course of writing this blog I will attempt to point to others who are doing good work on the data backup blogging front. This is, as you might imagine, a rather small front, but I think it’s important. Data backup, while not the attention grabber that Hollywood harlots, technophilia or sexual deviancy are in the online universe, is a significant topic that deserves more attention.

Unfortunately the topic of backup is a somewhat dry one, and it takes a talented writer to hold the attention of any reader, even those of us with a vested interest. Fortunately, my first fellow backup blogger to be recognized, is just such a writer.

According to her archives, Sallie Goetsch has been writing the FileSlinger Backup Blog since 2003. Throughout she has dedicated the blog to a weekly “backup reminder” intended to encourage readers to attend to their backups at least once a week. In this reminder Sallie gives us insights on software, hardware, maintenance, recovery and much more.

I have been reading her blog for almost a year now and have been impressed, entertained and educated. Though I myself work for a backup software company, I am constantly gaining new insights and finding new information to explore through reading her weekly posts.

Head on over and check out the FileSlinger blog. If you like what you see, subscribe to her RSS feed and tell her I sent you.

As a side note, I will admit that writing this post makes me nervous because it increases the odds that Sallie will find and read my blog. I fear the grammer-police brutality that may follow.

Disclaimer: Sallie once reviewed ION, a Universe Point product, but don’t worry, she has proven highly resistant to bribery.