If you back up your Mac laptop computer only when you ’re at home or in the bureau , you may be living dangerously . After all , a bad collapse or a hard - driveway loser can happen just as well when you ’re traveling as when you ’re at home . Sure , support up while on the route award challenge : you might have to bundle spare accessories or get an Internet connectedness . But is n’t keeping your data point safe deserving the effort ?
Trip prep
Before you leave , verify you have the right tools .
Backup MediaSome people may want to back up over the cyberspace while others may prefer to tote a storage gimmick such as a portable intemperate thrust , a flash campaign , or an iPod . No matter which backup pick you pick , always pack some recordable DVDs or CDs — having an substitute path to back up can never hurt .
Backup SoftwareIf you need to back up only a few files , you could just drag and drop . Beyond that , you should use a backup usefulness , which can mechanically scan choose folders for files you ’ve alter or created since your last championship . Good utilities let in EMC Insignia ’s $ 129 Retrospect Desktop ( ) , Prosoft Engineering’s$59 Data Backup , Intego’s$70 Personal Backup X4 , and Apple ’s Backup , which is admit with a. Mac membership($100 per year ) .
Whatever software you use , you ’ve probably get limited time , limited storage space , and an unknown amount of Internet bandwidth , so do n’t do full backups . or else , configure your backup software to copy only necessary files , such as written document you ’re actively work on , e - ring armour substance , calendar and physical contact information , or digital double from your trip . ( For more on choosing a backup scheme , see“Pick your approach . ” )
Startup DiscIf your laptop ’s heavy drive neglect , you ’ll need to start up from another intensity to fix it . Pack your OS X set up DVD , or a startup disc from a program such as Alsoft ’s $ 80 DiskWarrior ( ) orMicromat’s$98 TechTool Pro .
TipBefore you leave town , execute a full backup . If cataclysm strikes , you’re able to at least restore your Mac to its pre - trip state .
Internet backups
Many hotels and airports pop the question high - speed net access , often wireless and occasionally free . The grownup advantage to back up onto the Internet is that your files are store in a safe place — if your laptop is miss or stolen , your data point remains accessible . The disadvantage is that hackers can bug your datum during transmission system ( even if you ’re using a protected wireless electronic internet ) .
If you back up files over a wireless connection , encipher them first . Some backup programme , such as Retrospect Desktop , Data Backup , and Personal Backup X4 , have built - in encoding . Or you’re able to use a utility such as Allume ’s $ 80 StuffIt Deluxe ( ) to encrypt files before send off them over a wireless connection .
Alternatively , you’re able to use a Virtual Private internet ( VPN ) to cypher data that travels between your Mac and a waiter . Your employer may pop the question VPN accession , or you could purchase VPN service from a company such asPublicVPN , which charges $ 6 a month or $ 60 a year . From there , all you have to do is get in the setting ply by your VPN supplier into Apple ’s net Connect software .
If you go the Internet route , you may opt from several destinations for your backups .
Phone HomeIf you have a web - base backup system at home or at piece of work , you may be able to connect to it from the road . But this is n’t as easy as it sounds ; success reckon on many variables , including your backup software , your firewall and router background , and ISP restrictions . verify you do a trial rill - through from a friend ’s menage or a cybercafé before leaving on a trip .
If you ’ve enable Personal File Sharing on your home Mac ( System Preferences - > Sharing : Services ) , you could try out mount its hard parkway on your laptop and simulate data file to it . To mount a remote hard drive , choose Go - > Connect To Server in the Finder , enter the IP address or domain name of the computer , press Connect , and issue your user name and parole . The machine you link to must have a public IP address ; you ca n’t unremarkably access waiter with private addresses furnish by a router , although there are sometimes ways to do so .
Apple ’s Backup include a QuickPicks feature , which allow you select vulgar backup options with one dog .
Local backups
If you ’re traveling somewhere without high - speed Internet admission , you ’ll need to re-create file to a strong-arm mass medium . Whichever medium you select , keep it separate from your laptop computer , preferably in a safe office ( such as a hotel ’s safe deposit box ) .
CD or DVDOne option is to cauterize files to disc . Insert a blank phonograph recording into your laptop ’s optical thrust . Select Open Finder in the window that appear , and press OK . Drag your files onto the disc picture on your desktop . When you ’re done , take the disc and choose File - > Burn Disc .
Portable Hard DrivePocket - size hard driving from ship’s company such asLaCieandOWCprovide the speediest backups when you ’re on the route . UsingShirt Pocket’s$28 SuperDuper , for instance , you could even create a bootable patronage on that campaign , so you could keep working if your laptop ’s cause dies .
To habituate your iPod as an external hard drive , ensure you select Enable Disk Use in iTunes ’ iPod Preference pane .
iPodYour iPod can extract double obligation as a music player and backup gimmick . To employ it as an external drive , open iTunes and choose iTunes- > Preferences . Go to the iPod panelling and select the Enable Disk Use option . Your iPod will mount on your background , let you to replicate files to it . While Apple does n’t commend boot your machine from an iPod , it can be done ( see this month ’s Mac 911 ) .
Flash DriveKeychain - size USB drives — usable fromLexar , SanDisk , and others — can stash away as much as several G of datum . However , these tiny drive are easy to fall behind , and on a per - gigabyte base , they be more than a hard drive .
Pick your approach
Different types of road warrior will involve different reliever scheme .
ExecutiveIf you ’re principally work with e - mail messages , text files , spreadsheets , and other minor document , see an cyberspace musical accompaniment military service . It ’s fast , safe , and sanely inexpensive .
Creative ProIf you make orotund multimedia files , go with an extraneous hard crusade . Consider archiving your work to videodisc every few days as a secondary backup — you’re able to never be too heedful with irreplaceable files .
VacationerIf you have just a few photos and video that you desire to back up while vacation , store them on your iDisk . If you ’re a serious shutterbug , consider backing up to DVD every few solar day and mailing yourself the disc .
[ Joe Kissell is the senior editor in chief ofTidBitsand the author of the e - bookTake Control of Mac OS X Backups . ]
