Why don't people back up?

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I began using a computer late in life. I now do backups. But one of the most frustrating things for me was trying to understand the terminology used in the backup program. Even today, I STILL get frustrated when I read something like, "Your new backup system is completely compatibile with any disk mirroring / striping / spanning / RAID scheme." Honestly, that tells me squat. I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier but I can't be the only person who reads stuff like that and says, "Oh well, trying to backup my system is just too hard."

Sure, many programs claim to be user friendly and say things like "even a novice can use it", but in reality, that's just not the case. I found I needed a lot more knowledge to make educated choices on what, when or how to backup my system. Some people don't have the time or desire to put that much effort into it. If manufacturers make it sound daunting by using fifty dollar words to describe a fifty cent process...

Bottom line is, if I can turn my computer into a giant paperweight with just a few inadvertent keystrokes or clicks of the mouse, my backup program should be just as easy. :-)

Maybe confusion is part of problem people don't backup. Acronis website say it will backup emails, photos, music, entire operating system, ect. It not say you need extra hard drive. So if computer have 250GB hard drive, and 200GB is used up, how can 200GB be stored in 50GB free space? People might say can't afford cost of program plus cost for extra hard drive so program useless.

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You have to backup *somewhere*. No, it doesn't have to be an
external hard drive, but that's probably the most convenient
and cost effective solution. Alternatives include CDs and
DVDs (which are a hassle to manage during the backup),
backing up to another machine on your local network. A very
poor, but sometimes necessary alternative, is to backup to a
second internal drive.

But yes, you must backup somewhere ... that's the whole
point.

Leo

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And, Ben, the whole point of a backup is to have a copy _somewhere_else_. Making a "backup" of the contents of a disk onto the same disk is virtually useless. If the system crashes and you need to restore from the backup, you're "SOL", since your backup isn't accessible. That's like keeping copies of your important paperwork in the same file cabinet as the originals.

The problem I've seen with Windows backup solutions is that I haven't seen any "bare metal" solutions. That is, one which can restore the system onto an empty drive, such as after a drive crash. The ones I've seen all appear to require that you reinstall Windows and then the backup software in order to run the restore. I know of such a utility for Unix/Linux, but they don't have a Windows version. Even Acronis, which Leo recommends in his previous post, appears to lack this ability.

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Actually Acronis does support this. You can burn a boot CD,
and then restore your backup to "bare metal". In fact I've
done it. :-)

Leo

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I don't back up at all. The only tasks I use my computer for are email and surfing the web. I really don't see any reason to back up; I don't want to save any of the stuff I read while surfing and I don't want to save any email. If a communication is really important, I send it by snail mail with a receipt requested form.

About half the time,when I start a back up. The secound disc wont format. How can I fix this?

Hi Leo... I have read the bulk of your newsletter that pertain to people doing a backup on their computer. Like myself I have encourage my friends to do the same. Their is a large reluctance in performing a backup. I think one of the reasons is that people are afraid to. I have from from friends that they are afraid of doing something wrong to their PC and it will screw things up that they don't know how to fix. Many people have come to terms with chat-rooms and e-mails or for some.. interactive on-line games. For them the loss of their computer to do their favourite activities would leave them stranded. I agree, some people may be lazy because they feel that it's too involving as well as time consuming. Leo, when it comes down to it... I think it extends from fear. Many people do not wish to do much reading. They don't want to rack their brain to understand how to install and use something that is written for the average person that isn't familiar with computer jargon. I was one of those kinds of person. It was upsetting. I'd say to myself, "what the (H) are they talking about?) then give up. I've seen all too often that the literacy level of an average person is low. That is why I see more and more people substituting words with acronyms. (TYVVM) (BRB) From my research of back up program websites the advertisements are full of flowery words to sell a product. For only ($29 to $49) No where do I read that they will walk a newbie step by step in an easy to do way. The old KISS method... (Keep It Simple Stupid) Leo... I leave my comment with you now. Shawn from Toronto Canada

Leo and Ken -
Thank you. Yes, I aware of need to put backups on separate kind of media (disks, hard drive ect.) In article Leo ask, "So why don't people back up?" I try to give one reason - confusion - because back up makers not very clear on what user needs for back up.

Not everyone have degrees in computers and many peoples don't understand most simple needs. Back up makers must not make mistake to thinking everyone understand. Acronis user manual has 119 pages. In Acronis Startup Recovery Manager 3.4.2 section it say, "Be careful! Drive letters in standalone Acronis True Image Home might sometimes differ from the way Windows identifies drives. For example, the D: drive identified in the standalone Acronis True Image Home might correspond to the E: drive in Windows." I think writings like this many peoples get confused. If Acronis so easy why so many pages needed? :-)

I not angry at Acronis or back up makers. Many other softwares makers guilty of thinking peoples understand information. I want makers tell me everything like I a baby. More information better than not enough.

I experienced catastrophic data loss very early in my computer-using-career - in about 1994. Since then I've always taken backups of one sort or the other, at varying levels of technical sophistication, and with various coverages. But I think that computer SELLERS are missing a marketing trick. Why sell you JUST that new laptop? Why not put a bundle together that includes an external hard drive and a decent piece of software to prompt you, on a weekly or monthly basis, to plug the drive in and it'll do the backup for you? OK, it costs more, but surely they'd sell more kit too? And be seen to be putting customers' interests first as well? Plus providing a bit of 'education' for computer buyers - at least making backup a slightly more visible option. So come on Dell, Lenovo, HP, Sony, I reckon there's some profit to be made here!

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