Backing Up, Moving and Storing Your Files
What options do you have if you create a file (a Word document, PowerPoint presentation, etc.) on one computer and need to move it to another one--for example, to share a file with a colleague or move a group presentation to a partner's computer? What about backing up files that you have created in case your hard disk fails or you lose your laptop?
No Floppies Allowed!
Whatever strategy you choose, do not use floppy disks under any circumstance. They have very low capacity, work unreliably from one machine to another, and are prone to failure. They're also excellent ways to spread viruses. The SOE lab does not have floppy drives installed in any of its computers, and they are becoming increasingly rare around campus, with good reason. You've been warned...
Backing Up Files
The first, most critical strategy that you can develop for your computer is a backup strategy--one that you will follow routinely and faithfully. There are many effective strategies for backing up your data, but all of them are worthless if you do not follow them. This page has an example of an effective backup strategy.
A detailed discussion of backup strategies is available from this Apple site.
Backing Up Locally
If you do not have access to a network or online backup system, there are some alternatives for backing up or moving files from one location to another.
| Strategy | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
 CD-R |
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 DVD-R |
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 USB Drive (Highly Recommended) |
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 Firewire or USB 2 Drive |
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Backing Up Online
Strategy |
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
 |
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 iDisk |
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 Remote Server (Labs domain) |
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