I've had an unlucky history with USB memory sticks. Over the years I've had several burn out on me. After the first time, I started looking for a way to routinely back up my data.
My first solution was simply repeatedly copying the entire memory stick to my hard drive. This, however, is hard on the memory stick and routine back ups of the complete memory stick will actually contribute to a premature failure.
I then learned of Backup Magic. This was a software program (not free) that would copy all your data and then enable you to "sync" in future so only new or changed files would be copied over (thus, cutting down on the stick's wear and tear). Backup Magic wasn't free so I had to find a pirated version online. I used this software up until recently.
With my new computer install, I went looking for an updated sync program that would do a better job than Backup Magic (which hadn't been updated in years and was a hassle at times due to it being a trial evaluation version).
I have now found the perfect solution. It's called Beyond Sync and best of all it's free! It's a quick and easy install and you just direct the program to your source file(s) and target folder. It then quickly backs everything up. You can select from five options for how the data gets synced. You can clone the data (so the source and target are kept identical) or you can set it up so incremental changes are saved, enabling you to see all the old files prior to when they were updated (although this takes up a lot more space since you're keeping multiple copies of the same file). I just set it to maintain an identical set of data with what's on my memory stick. So if my stick burns out or I lose it (easy to do with it being so small), I have everything saved on my hard drive.
I usually backup on a weekly basis. If I'm doing a lot of work with my memory stick, I may backup even more frequently.
Since I started backing up, it's been a godsend. I even lost one of my sticks (never to be found) but I only really lost a couple day's work since I had recently backed up.
I strongly recommend backing up your key. Especially if you're one of those people who just yanks their key out of the computer without properly shutting the key down (which can cause data corruption).
Below is a link to Beyond Sync. It's shareware so you can find it in other locations too. Try it out.
http://www.softsea.com/review/Beyond-Sync.html
My first solution was simply repeatedly copying the entire memory stick to my hard drive. This, however, is hard on the memory stick and routine back ups of the complete memory stick will actually contribute to a premature failure.
I then learned of Backup Magic. This was a software program (not free) that would copy all your data and then enable you to "sync" in future so only new or changed files would be copied over (thus, cutting down on the stick's wear and tear). Backup Magic wasn't free so I had to find a pirated version online. I used this software up until recently.
With my new computer install, I went looking for an updated sync program that would do a better job than Backup Magic (which hadn't been updated in years and was a hassle at times due to it being a trial evaluation version).
I have now found the perfect solution. It's called Beyond Sync and best of all it's free! It's a quick and easy install and you just direct the program to your source file(s) and target folder. It then quickly backs everything up. You can select from five options for how the data gets synced. You can clone the data (so the source and target are kept identical) or you can set it up so incremental changes are saved, enabling you to see all the old files prior to when they were updated (although this takes up a lot more space since you're keeping multiple copies of the same file). I just set it to maintain an identical set of data with what's on my memory stick. So if my stick burns out or I lose it (easy to do with it being so small), I have everything saved on my hard drive.
I usually backup on a weekly basis. If I'm doing a lot of work with my memory stick, I may backup even more frequently.
Since I started backing up, it's been a godsend. I even lost one of my sticks (never to be found) but I only really lost a couple day's work since I had recently backed up.
I strongly recommend backing up your key. Especially if you're one of those people who just yanks their key out of the computer without properly shutting the key down (which can cause data corruption).
Below is a link to Beyond Sync. It's shareware so you can find it in other locations too. Try it out.
http://www.softsea.com/review/Beyond-Sync.html
