Now that I’m sitting down working on my Master’s thesis, the single most important thing that I keep reminding myself to do is “to backup”. I know this sounds a little crazy, but I back up my work folder every night before I go to bed. I don’t know any other ways to protect my files except to back them up into a CD. And since my work folder contains documents and pictures and scientific journals, I find that zipping them up saves lots of space too.
But then, even THAT is quite risky because I’ve heard of cases where the data stored in the CD went missing after some time. But that just confirms that nothing is permanent, no?
Now, I’ve just read that SecureZip is capable of protecting your confidential personal information — that is, secure information stored on PCs such as progress reports, half-written thesis, bank statements, medical records, passwords, and other private data. Apart from that, it also automatically protects emails and attachments sent to anybody at all.
If you’re currently managing our address book contacts, meetings and schedules with Microsoft Outlook, fret not because SecureZIP integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook to automatically encrypt, digitally sign, and zip email messages and attachments. So there’s no need to worry about incompatibilities and what-nots.
Now the good news is, SecureZIP is currently offering FREE limited-time downloads from www.securezip.com. And all you need to provide is your email address, and a link to download the software will be provided in the email sent to you. No registration process, no hassle.
Sounds awesome!! SecureZip can do so much for me.. And I’m actually going to start my thesis work in few days and i think i should also keep it updated.. For backing up my contacts and calender from my cell phone, i use zyb.com.
unfortunately, i use winrar haha
Ciara: Good luck with your thesis-writing!
Merv: That was because you didn’t have a choice. Fortunately, you do now :)
After years of writing reports, i feel like sharing my method of backing up important files. =)
1) Don’t ever try to save your files in My Documents, if you really want to save the files there, do enable advanced file sharing so that in case your windows failed and u need to move your hdd to other system, you can still extract the files there. I’m just giving basic information here. For more info do let me know so that i can post a precise method. Anyway. to prevent unwanted problems, just do not save your files in My Documents.
2) I personally do not recommend backing up using CD because the burning process wastes a lot of time and electricity. Instead, if you have a portable hard disk or pendrive, just backup using these small and easy to carry objects.
3) I personally favour Gmail for it provide me handy office document tools online. You can find almost anything essential that you need by just logging into your Gmail account. Therefore i always upload my files into my email. It’s safe and fast and easy and furthermore it can be accessed virtually anywhere. If you have multiple mail accounts, do backup your files in all those accounts. This is by far the safest method for the odds for all mail servers to crash at the same time is 0%.
4) This is about management of files. Always split your writings into subcomponents which can be easily modified yet causing no harm to the entire progress of report writing. I would recommend splitting up the documents into chapters for thesis writing. Organize the your documents into 3 categories, text, audio and graphics. You will have little trouble editing your files since the items are separated thus you do not have to wait for a long loading time of the file.
Well, hopefully i could contribute something here. =)
ColourfulWorld: WOW, good tips! Thanks for sharing with us! :) And thanks for giving me the ideas for an up-coming post on backing-up, hahah..