Hope lightning only strikes once!

[steve_g]

I was feeling a bit smug… I was confident I’d done everything realistic to prevent loss of my data by using a mirrored NAS drive! I knew that total loss by a fire wasn’t covered, but I felt that my data would be the least of my problems in that case… What I hadn’t considered was a direct strike to my home by lightning!
Lightning is scary stuff! It doesn’t respect surge protectors, light switches or common sense!
I lost several computers, my heat A/C unit, security system, many light bulbs, The Wii, the list goes on and includes my NAS drive:(.
The loss of 78,000 files was the most disheartening of all the damage… it was the only part of the loss that couldn’t be replaced.
On a whim, I found a NAS drive housing identical to mine on eBay. I put my dead mirrored drives in the “new” housing and found that one of the drives had survived! I’ve got my files back!
I’m now a proponent of cloud storage!
Question:
What cloud storage have you found convenient to use?
SG

[MogulTx]

Congrats on the lucky save!

[tri4sale]

Question:
What cloud storage have you found convenient to use?
SG


I use Microsoft OneDrive only because its free for the space I need, easy to setup.

Not a real fan of cloud, mainly because they sell it as a backup, but if something goes wrong they tell you "so sorry, but we don't guarantee the data, you should have a local copy" I learned this the hard way. And it can get real pricey if you have a lot of data to backup.

Best bet is the 1 / 2 / 3 method of backup:

1. Keep local backup copy (like your NAS drive)
2. Keep a second, non-connected backup (like a external HD that you keep up to date on regular basis) This should not be connected to power or network when not actively running backup. Easy to grab if house is on fire, but if house hit by lightning should be OK since not connected to anything.
3. Keep offsite copy of backup. Use a external HD like in step 2.

Swap 2 and 3 each week, that way the worse case scenario is you are out a weeks data.

[srwtlc]

I've been using One Drive as well. Being one of the first users, I got 25 gigs to start with and was grandfathered in for more later on and along with adding a camera, I now have 40 gigs for free.

Also have my parts folder on three other drives in different places.

[bob_s]

I use google drive It's been easy to use

[barrowj]

I use Box, you install it and it creates a folder which I put on my desktop then put my file folders in it. It syncs automatically but it only gives you 10 GB, enough for me. I also have 3 2TB external drives, one is a full backup of my entire drive.

[dmidkiff]

Sorry for the strike. At least it didn't cause a fire. We had had them several times over the years. Comes though phone lines too. We've lost phones, TV's, PC's, VCR and DTV boxes in the house. Never had any damage in the shop. I had extra ground rods for the shop and believe that is the reason for no damage. Don't want to give false hope to anyone but I believe it helps here. As for cloud, I don't have any suggestions.

[pappybaynes]

Don't use the cloud per se, but I do use Carbonite...have replaced computers and the reload is simple. I believe it is around $50/ yr.