Poll: How often do you backup your work?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Aug 22, 2005

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often do you backup your work?".

View the poll here

A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629


 
Natalia Zudaire
Natalia Zudaire  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 10:25
Member (2004)
English to Spanish
+ ...
What is a backup? Aug 22, 2005

I wrote this option almost as a joke. I can´t believe that some people really answered that!!!. But what is more surprising is that there are colleagues that know what a backup is, and still NEVER use it!!!

I backup everyday and save the data on a second partition, and once a week I burn a CD with this backup. I believe that backups are essential to recover the files in the case of a crash (not so uncommon with Windows, and 24/7 connected!!).
I backup TMs, doc, and emails. I
... See more
I wrote this option almost as a joke. I can´t believe that some people really answered that!!!. But what is more surprising is that there are colleagues that know what a backup is, and still NEVER use it!!!

I backup everyday and save the data on a second partition, and once a week I burn a CD with this backup. I believe that backups are essential to recover the files in the case of a crash (not so uncommon with Windows, and 24/7 connected!!).
I backup TMs, doc, and emails. I wouldn't like to do the same job twice because of that. I remmeber I had this client that wanted me to translate a complete manual that I remembered I had already translated, so I went and looked it up on my backup, and there it was.

Natalia
Collapse


 
Astrid Elke Witte
Astrid Elke Witte  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 14:25
Member (2002)
German to English
+ ...
No practical way to back up work other than a hard copy Aug 22, 2005

Hi Natalia,

Earlier in this year I looked into the topic of backing up my work, but simply could not find a way to do it.

After various computer guys told me that normal diskettes are useless these days, because they can hold so little (and I have experienced that too), I asked what was supposed to be used instead, and they said "CD-ROMS". I bought CD-ROMS, but, when I tried using them, they simply didn't work and would not record the information.

Subseque
... See more
Hi Natalia,

Earlier in this year I looked into the topic of backing up my work, but simply could not find a way to do it.

After various computer guys told me that normal diskettes are useless these days, because they can hold so little (and I have experienced that too), I asked what was supposed to be used instead, and they said "CD-ROMS". I bought CD-ROMS, but, when I tried using them, they simply didn't work and would not record the information.

Subsequently I established I had bought the wrong CD-ROMS, and that there are different kinds. I bought a pack of 10 labelled "CD-R", and apparently they should say "CD-RW", so I don't know why these "CD-R" ones are sold, if they do not work.

Then someone told me that CD-R ones are supposed to work - however they certainly do not work on my computer.

The last option was to subscribe to one of these services on the Internet, where it is possible to upload data to be saved onto the servers of some firm that offers such a service. However, I asked this question here in the forums, and someone said I would not be able to be sure of the confidentiality of my data - and I translate a lot that is even more confidential than "normal".

I print off everything that I need to keep a copy of, including all translations and correspondence, and this appears to be the only practical form of "backup". I can, of course, scan the translations back in, and create new TMs then, following a complete computer "crash".

There is your answer, why someone who knows about backups does not carry them out.

Anyway, what is a "partition", that you mentioned?

Astrid
Collapse


 
Natalia Zudaire
Natalia Zudaire  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 10:25
Member (2004)
English to Spanish
+ ...
About CDR & CDRW and partitions Aug 22, 2005

Astrid Elke Johnson wrote:

Hi Natalia,
(...) I bought a pack of 10 labelled "CD-R", and apparently they should say "CD-RW", so I don't know why these "CD-R" ones are sold, if they do not work.

Then someone told me that CD-R ones are supposed to work - however they certainly do not work on my computer.



CD-R are made for only one burning, while CD-RW are rewritable (they can be burned many times). I don´t understand why they wouldn´t work. If you use Win XP, you can use the windows explorer itself to burn the files, If not, I reccommend you try with EasyCD Creator or Nero Burning Room. They really shopuld work, otherwise I would complain to the place where I bought the burner.



Anyway, what is a "partition", that you mentioned?

Astrid


A partition is when you have only one hard drive (having a second hard drive could also be an option for you), but you "divide" it into two. On one partition I have the OS and program files, and on the seond partition I save all my docs and backups (the backup utility that comes with Window is very useful. You can also store your backup on a network share or something like that.


Cheers!


Natalia


 
Paul Morris
Paul Morris  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:25
Spanish to English
+ ...
Easy backups Aug 22, 2005

One easy way of backing up if you don't have a CD burner is to send your files to a professional web based e-mail service (I use hotmail)- this will have all the files you have sent and received anyway, and it is nice to know the files are out of my hands and safe

 
MikeTrans
MikeTrans
Germany
Local time: 14:25
Italian to German
+ ...
Backup often doesn't mean backup correctly Aug 22, 2005

Dear Natalia, dear collegues !

As for your question "what is a backup?", I think that many people find it funny to the point to choose it, so the results may be somewhat strange.
It's surely good to backup often, but more important is the general procedure you follow, independant on how often you apply it.

For a good backup, I think 3 main topics must be considered by every computer user:

1)
General computer security:
Would you be able t
... See more
Dear Natalia, dear collegues !

As for your question "what is a backup?", I think that many people find it funny to the point to choose it, so the results may be somewhat strange.
It's surely good to backup often, but more important is the general procedure you follow, independant on how often you apply it.

For a good backup, I think 3 main topics must be considered by every computer user:

1)
General computer security:
Would you be able to start your operating system if some of the main system files get corrupted or lost?

Solution:
Backup of important system files on a separte medium, get familiar with a new operating system as far as important files are concerned, make a boot-disk.

2)
General knowledge of computer matters:
Do you know EVERYTHING about computers and specific programs? No? you are then in good company!

Solution:
So, make a Knowledge base covering all computer topics, that is, program download notes, special program function notes, security notes, etc. and save this e.g. to C:\knowledge. You usually find answers to your problems in the internet with a simple google-search; save the relevant pages & links and make such notes: 8 month later you can't eventually remember!

3)
Translation work related backups, procedure notes, comments...
Are you aware that a simple short circuit in your house could possibly cause the hole corruption of your translation memories if your computer was on at that time? Have you ever messed up your current work wishing to switch back 30 Min. before?
Why does TRADOS not respect my font settings in a particular situation? Are there special important notes about the latest DÉJÀ VU Update?

Solution:
Before beginning even the shortest work, backup all your translation memories so you can easily copy them back if something goes wrong. Backing up your current work means: copy your files a) as backup in the same directory AND b) backing up your files to a seperate media in regular intervals.
I personaly backup all my TM's and DTB's at least once a month on a CD. A CD-RW (rewritable CD) should be replaced every year, indipendent of how often a backup was made: they do not last forever.
As for notes on your CAT-tools, this should be added to your personal knowledgebase (see point 2).

These are only the rough lines and basic ideas on how to efficiently backup.

Mike
Collapse


 
Stefanie Sendelbach
Stefanie Sendelbach  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 14:25
Member (2003)
English to German
+ ...
How about an external hard drive? Aug 22, 2005

Astrid Elke Johnson wrote:
Earlier in this year I looked into the topic of backing up my work, but simply could not find a way to do it.

The last option was to subscribe to one of these services on the Internet, where it is possible to upload data to be saved onto the servers of some firm that offers such a service. However, I asked this question here in the forums, and someone said I would not be able to be sure of the confidentiality of my data - and I translate a lot that is even more confidential than "normal".

I print off everything that I need to keep a copy of, including all translations and correspondence, and this appears to be the only practical form of "backup". I can, of course, scan the translations back in, and create new TMs then, following a complete computer "crash".


I use an external hard drive of 40GB. There are much bigger ones by now. Not very expensive, handy (you just plug them into the USB hub and use them like a local hard drive), less troublesome than burning CDs, and cheaper as well as safer than an online storage service.

I am quite happy with this solution.

Best regards,
Stefanie

[Edited at 2005-08-22 23:08]


 
gianfranco
gianfranco  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 10:25
Member (2001)
English to Italian
+ ...
Use a second hard disk Sep 17, 2005

Astrid wrote:
Anyway, what is a "partition", that you mentioned?



Natalia wrote:
A partition is when you have only one hard drive (having a second hard drive could also be an option for you), but you "divide" it into two. On one partition I have the OS and program files, and on the seond partition I save all my docs and backups (the backup utility that comes with Window is very useful. You can also store your backup on a network share or something like that.



Having a backup on a different 'partition' of the same hard drive is not an option. If the hard disk dies, and when they do, they give no warning... all partitions will go, your work space and your partition.

The only solution is to have two separate hard disks, either internal or external, so that the data are not on the same mechanical device.

I use an external hard disk and perform a daily backup, complete or incremental, so that in case of fatal crash, all my work is safe and recently copied.

Nowadays large hard disks are inexpensive and an external box for a disk costed me 35 EUR (hard disk to be purchased separately).
A 120 GB disk is about 80 EUR.
A complete external backup for 115 EUR, with the added security that the box can be moved elsewhere is really no excuse for not having this level of security.



Gianfranco


 
Natalia Zudaire
Natalia Zudaire  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 10:25
Member (2004)
English to Spanish
+ ...
It is... Sep 17, 2005

Gianfranco Manca wrote:

Having a backup on a different 'partition' of the same hard drive is not an option.


Gianfranco


for daily backups... At least if it's the system that dies, you can reinstall it without losing the information. Every friday or whenever you finish a big project, you do a CD backup.

I am now workign in-house, and I do my backups on a different machine over an intranet. But that is a different story.

I think this is an option for those who can´t afford spending extra money.


Cheers!

Natalia


 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: How often do you backup your work?






Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »
Trados Studio 2022 Freelance
The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.

Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

More info »