| ing a small business can be stressful enough without | | | | DVD-ROM/DVD-R is similar to a movie DVD, but |
| the additional worry of losing your PC files. Knowing | | | | designed for PCs or laptops. The DVD-ROM stores |
| the right way to back up your files when you are | | | | files in the same manner as the CD-ROM. The |
| already short of time doesn't mean that you need to | | | | advantages... Greater storage capability – has |
| become an IT expert. This review tells you in | | | | capacity for more files and has a faster speed than a |
| easy-to-follow language how to use different data | | | | CD. The disadvantages... DVD-ROM's can only be |
| back up and storage methods according to the | | | | saved to once. |
| situation: | | | | DVD-RW and DVD+RW - Not unlike the CD-RW, a |
| Back up | | | | DVD-RW or DVD+RW (Digital Versatile Disc – |
| Back up is the copying of computer documents onto | | | | Rewritable) can be recorded on, rewritten and erased |
| portable media so that if your PC or laptop crashes, | | | | multiple times. Other than this they are identical to the |
| files won’t be lost forever. Back up is | | | | DVD-R. The DVD minus and plus are just different |
| commonly procedural in large corporations but often | | | | versions with the same functionality. |
| neglected by individuals and in small offices. Some | | | | 3. USB stick - A small portable memory stick that can |
| suggest backing-up computer documents and copying | | | | hold up to 2 gigabytes or more data. It is surprisingly |
| your hard drive weekly. It takes around forty-five | | | | lightweight and can be used with any PC or laptop |
| minutes to back-up a 500-Mb hard disk. There are a | | | | with a USB port. The upside... More hard-wearing and |
| couple of options - Local or Internet back up. | | | | portable than CD's or DVD's but still ideal for back-up. |
| Local back up options: | | | | USB drives are also fast and rewritable. The downside |
| Here is a list of local back up choices. The majority of | | | | ... More expensive than other backup options and the |
| these also serve as tools used to transfer data | | | | ease of use and compatibility of the Memory stick |
| between computers: | | | | increases the chance of spreading viruses or simply |
| 1. CD's - There are ranging types of CD that include a | | | | misplacing it. |
| range of capabilities. Just to confuse us they are | | | | 4. Diskettes - A diskette is a 3.5" removable magnetic |
| recognized by very similar acronyms; CD-R, CD-RW, | | | | disc. Ideal for people who use their computer or laptop |
| CD+RW, and DDCD. | | | | for personal finance and projects that have to be |
| CD-R (Compact Disc - Recordable) is a CD that can | | | | continuously saved such as a TV script, but not so |
| be recorded to only once. It usually has capacity for up | | | | appropriate for large quantities of data as diskettes |
| to 700 megabytes of data. Perfect for... Storing image | | | | don’t include a great storage capacity. Although |
| files or other permanent files. Not so ideal for ... | | | | universal at one time, they now seem to be on their |
| Transferring electronic data, as they can only be used | | | | way out. |
| once. | | | | 5. Zip Drives - A Zip drive is a small, square shaped |
| CD-RW/CD+RW - A CD-RW (Compact Disc | | | | magnetic disc that is ideal for backing up your |
| Rewritable) and CD+RW can be saved onto as many | | | | computer or laptop. The 100-Mb size will hold the |
| times as required. Files can be overwritten and deleted. | | | | equivalent of seventy diskettes. They also come in a |
| In all other respects, the CD-RW is the same as the | | | | 250-megabyte capacity. However, the majority of |
| CD-R. If it wasn't for their finite durability, | | | | PCs or laptops don't have an internal Zip Disc and it is |
| CD-RW’s and CD+RW’s could be | | | | unlikely they will be around for much longer. |
| re-used endlessly. Ideal for... Changing files and holding | | | | Internet back up: |
| temporary data. Not so great for... Holding important | | | | Another back up option is sending your electronic data |
| files - in case they are accidentally deleted. | | | | to an Internet site for archiving. If your PC crashes you |
| Double Density CD (DDCD) - This disk has a much | | | | can simply access them from the site. Examples of |
| greater storage capacity than an average CD-R or | | | | such sites are Backup Defender and My Backup but |
| CD-RW. Ideal for... Backing up and storing historical | | | | there are many others. |
| data. | | | | These sites will often charge a monthly or other fee |
| 2. DVD's - Although DVD's are usually more | | | | for their services but can take the hassle and security |
| associated with films, they can also hold music and | | | | threats out of your data storage process. |
| computer files; hence their name Digital Versatile Disc. | | | | |