The restore process is even easier. Simply hit the “restore files” button, select the device that you want to from, choose a destination folder to download the files, and press restore. A progress bar tells you the files being downloaded and how long it will take. Once finished, the restore process places all of your backed up files into the directory that you chose with folder labeled with the restore date. That’s really all there is to this app and that’s what makes it great. The auto backup and the restore work flawlessly and they are very simple to use, meaning you do not need to be a computer expert to make sure you are properly backing up your important files.

A note about bandwidth, according to the ZipCloud website: “ZipCloud does not restrict the bandwidth of any of our users, however we do delay the processing times of files for heavy storage users.” They also state that with a constant connection to the internet an average of 3-4GB per day can be uploaded. Initial backups can take a few hours to a few weeks, which is actually about the industry average.

Syncing Capability

Zip cloud offers the capability to store certain files in a “sync folder” that syncs to the cloud so you can view these files on any one of your devices. This is very similar to how Dropbox and other syncing applications work. When you download the ZipCloud application it places a folder called “sync folder” on your desktop. Anything that you drop into this folder will be available on any other computers that have the ZipCloud app installed, or you can log into the ZipCloud website from any computer, mobile device, or tablet, and view your sync folder. This is also a very easy to use feature, and for the most part works pretty well. However, there were a few intermittent problems I ran into when trying to view the sync files through the website and on mobile devices. At one point I could not open any of the files when I logged in to the website. I tried viewing a pdf file and a jpeg (picture file) and neither one would open. The option to download was available but when chosen did not do anything. I waited a while, tried logging again, and the problem seemed to go away as I was then able to open and view the files through the web. I was also able to download the files at this time.

As a note, I did contact ZipCloud about this and they responded quickly. It seemed to clear up that particular problem. However, I also tested this out on my iPad. ZipCloud does not have a dedicated app as of yet for mobile devices, but they have a mobile version of the website. One time when I logged in from the iPad it did not show me any files at all. I went to a couple different sync apps I have as well as tested my Internet connection and everything worked fine, so it was definitely something with the ZipCloud website. Again, when I tried logging in later in the day, it worked fine. Aside from these periodic issues that I experienced with the sync folder on the web, it worked adequately. Personally I would prefer a dedicated mobile app for tablets and phones. I do believe ZipCloud is working on creating mobile apps.

Security

ZipCloud provides a good amount of security features. Transfers to and from your devices to their servers are fully encrypted using 256-bit SSL encryption. This means that if a hacker happens to be watching your files transferring to the ZipCloud servers, they will see nothing but encrypted gibberish. The other great feature that I verified with ZipCloud is that the data that resides on their servers are also encrypted. Should anyone gain access to the servers, they again won’t be able to make sense of your data. ZipCloud has strict physical access policies to their data centers, so only authorized personnel will ever have access to the physical servers.

Conclusion

ZipCloud is well worth the $4.95/month for its super simple automated backup and restore alone. The file syncing is an added bonus, and even though I ran into a few intermittent issues with the sync files and mobile access, I would still recommend giving ZipCloud a try. The syncing capability looks good and seems to be headed in the right direction. Perhaps a few back-end tweaks will clear up some issues. Dedicated mobile apps are must for file syncing now days, so a solid mobile app would make a great addition and would add an enormous amount of value to this already great cloud backup application.

For PC and MAC owners who want nothing more than easy, straightforward backup with a few extra features on the side, MyPCBackup should be a feasible option.

What adds to this backup solution’s appeal is that it is one of the few providers offering unlimited backup, although the monthly price varies depending on how much you want to pay upfront. A month-to-month subscription is the least cost-effective at $9.95/month, while a two-year, one-year, six-month, and one-month plan is $4.95, $5.95, and $6.95 per month respectively. But you don’t have to worry about getting tied down to a lengthy subscription period because the company offers an “Anytime, Money Back Guarantee.”

Ease of Use

The idea of backing up online was once a process that many consumers used to think of as highly technical and complicated. This is the reason why most backup services have put a lot of thought into making their solutions as easy to use as possible. In this aspect, MyPCBackup passes the test with flying colors.

One online review site describes the service as having a, “user-friendly interface,” and a, “clean-cut dashboard,” making the program extremely easy to navigate. The company website states in bold letters that computer backup can be done in 3 simple steps – Join Free, Download, and Backup. In actual usage of course, there are minor steps in between but owing to its straightforwardness, it’s easy to see that the service does work as advertised.

Using MyPCBackup starts with downloading the desktop application – a very small file that shouldn’t eat up much of your computer’s resources and works unobtrusively in the background. The wizard-guided installation takes no more than a few clicks and a couple of minutes. You will be asked to enter your login information and how you want to backup your computer (more on that on the backup process below), and you’re all set. You should then find the MPCB shortcut and sync folder on your desktop.

The Backup Process

As with other backup services, MyPCBackup chooses the My Documents folder which contains most user’s common files such as documents, financial records, photos, and videos as the default backup set. If you have other important files not saved in this folder, however, this service also makes it easy for you to customize or make changes to your backup set.

To do so, you simply need to open your desktop app and go to Backup Settings, then Backup Selection. From this screen, you’ll find it easy to manually browse through your local drives and find the specific folders you wish to include in your backup set. You can also add a file to your backup by just right-clicking on it, then choosing Add to Backup Selection. However you choose to create your backup set, the process is easy and uncomplicated. All that remains now is for you to click on the Backup Now button.

As we’ve mentioned, this backup service doesn’t just do backups. It can also serve as a file syncing solution so that you don’t have to manually send files from one PC to another, or carry flash drives around. The process of syncing files is just as easy as all other features. You can either drag a file and drop it to the sync folder (found on your desktop), or you can right click on a file and choose Add to Sync Folder. Opening the sync folder will show you which documents have been synced (files should be marked with a green check) and are ready to access from any PC registered in your MPCB network or Internet-enabled device.

Backup Status

MyPCBackup promotes itself as a “set and forget” solution; meaning, you just set up the system one time and then leave the rest to the program. Backups are scheduled and will run automatically according to the times and frequencies you have set. Automatic backups can be set on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis, and if you are constantly working, even hourly. This gives you the freedom to choose which times are most ideal for the backup to run, according to your needs and usage.

While you don’t have to do anything else after setting up your backup, MyPCBackup still ensures that you are appraised of the status of a backup run as soon as one is completed. According to the features page of the website, “We will let you know when we have successfully completed a backup, so you can rest easily knowing your data is safe and secure.” We would have liked to know more details as to how this “notification system” works exactly, but (as my initial backup is still running as of this writing) for now, we will take their word for it.

Performance

While the initial uploading of data can take a while, particularly if you have tons of data to back up initially, the next backups should be quick because similar to other solutions, MPCBackup uses incremental backups. This type of backup only updates new files that have been added and changes to existing files. As a result, your backups don’t take as long and they don’t take up unnecessary bandwidth.

The advantage of services that offer scheduled, automatic backup like MyPCBackup is that it doesn’t hog your computer’s resources as other solutions that continuously run in the background sometimes do. You can also opt to have the backup run only as needed so that it doesn’t interfere with your work as far as Internet bandwidth is concerned. This is probably the reason why in the performance and speed department, actual users of MyPCBackup are more than satisfied with it.

Still, keep in mind that when it comes to online backup, a lot also hinges on the quality and speed of your broadband connection.

Security

Another very important factor that consumers look for in an online backup service is security, and in this aspect, MyPCBackup doesn’t disappoint. Your data is encrypted before leaving your computers and remains so while in storage. Transmission is also made over a secure, hack-proof connection and access to the account is password-protected, so at no point is your data left vulnerable.

Though the site doesn’t make mention exactly which type of encryption technology is used, the fact that they claim to have the same technology as that utilized by banks in financial transactions implies that the data is protected by either 128- or 256-bit AES encryption, both considered industry standards.

Further, MyPCBackup uses server mirroring – duplication of servers in a separate data center – so you are fully covered in case of power outages and physical disasters.

Restoring Data

As with all the other features of MyPCBackup, restoring data is also a straightforward and intuitive process that requires no genius to figure out.

Simply open the desktop application and click on the Restore Files button. If you have multiple computers backed up, you then have to choose the computer from which you want to restore, after which you can browse through your stored data and choose the folders or files. As soon as you’ve checked all the files you need, click on Restore Selected Files.

Other services automatically download the documents to the desktop or default folder, but that is not the case with MyPCBackup. It lets you choose where you want the data downloaded to or even create a new folder for it, and this is the final step of the restore process. Click on the OK button, and the download will begin.

In case you inadvertently save an erroneous file version or if a computer malware messes up your current files, MyPCBackup’s file versioning feature can save the day for you. By default, file versions for the last 7 days are kept but you can customize your settings so that the program will save versions for the last 30 days or even keep unlimited file histories.

Remote Access

Being away from your PC doesn’t have to mean you’ll be left without access to any of your files. With this service’s remote access feature, you can still view or download your backed up and synced files from any Internet-connected computer or device, wherever you may be. All it takes is for you is to log into your MyPCBackup online account.

From there you can view the files on each of your backed up computers and on your sync folder. You may even download the files to the computer you are currently using. From your online account, you can also access previous file versions, check how much space you have used up (although this really isn’t crucial as MyPCBackup supports unlimited backup), and view the status of your backups.

As of this time however, mobile access for MyPCBackup is limited to accessing their service via their mobile website. They don’t currently have any apps for smartphones or tablets. We hope to see those coming soon as mobile apps for these services is quickly becoming the norm.

Customer Support

A product or service would only be considered as having the complete package if it had a great outstanding customer support to match its great features. Does MyPCBackup have it? Well, OnlineBackupFinder.com has ranked their customer service as the “best in the business!” (and yes, the exclamation point is theirs) so I guess they have stepped it up in this aspect as well.

A quick visit to their help center shows a well-organized page that practically has all the answers (or at least the necessary links) for any concerns you may have. And if you still aren’t satisfied with the Knowledge Base, FAQs, and Video Tutorials sections that the company offers, you can submit a help ticket right from that page as well. If that’s still not enough, you can call their 24/7 phone support or use their live chat support.

It also helps that the only negative feedback we came across for this service is one that said the tech support was “kind of slow”. Clearly, I’ve read a lot worse complaints – if you can even call it that – about customer service before. Of course, this could also mean that not a lot of consumers are using this service as yet, hence the lack of negative comments.

Bottom Line of this MyPCBackup Review:

As an online backup service, it’s obvious that MyPCBackup is still a relative unknown. Proof of this is that none of the more established tech and consumer sites such as PCMag.com, CNET.com, ConsumerSearch.com, and others have done a review of it. But for those that have actually taken an indepth look, the reviews are positively glowing. It is ranked first in Top-10-Online-Backup.com’s list of top online backup solutions as voted by site visitors.

While I wouldn’t go out on a limb to say that this is the best backup service we’ve come across, we’d still say that it has a lot of potential. If you consider the $4.95 you’d be spending every month on a (2-year) MyPCBackup subscription, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. Why? Because it’s one of the few providers that offers “real” unlimited backup – supports unlimited number of computers, does not put any size limit on file uploads, and does not cap bandwidth when uploading large volumes of data.

True, MyPCBackup may not have the most complete set of features, but for an average user who values simplicity and security over a robust solution, then this one can really fit the bill. If you’re a PC user, this service is definitely worth a try.

Ease of Use

Ease-of-use best describes Carbonite online backup. Even a total computer novice could figure out how to use Carbonite. You simply install a small program on your computer, run the initial backup wizard, and then literally set and forget it and you’re done. You don’t have to sync or refresh anything or manually do anything. The backup is entirely automatic and done without you having to think about it.

The Backup Process

As with all these online backup services, it can take days or even weeks for the initial backup depending how much data you have on your computer. On average, it takes 24 hours for Carbonite to backup 3-4GB. If you have 30GBs of data, the initial backup will take about 10 days – assuming you are not using your computer for other work and that your computer is always on and connected to the Internet.

Carbonite slows down while you are using your computer to avoid interfering with your computer’s performance. If you are working on your computer 8 hours a day, Carbonite will slow itself down for those 8 hours, which will extend the time needed for the initial backup. The good news is this all happens in the background without bogging down your computer or interfering with anything you’re working on so it shouldn’t be a big deal. If you want to speed up the process, just leave your computer on and connected to the Internet at all times. It’s also important to point out this “backup delay” is a one-time thing. All backups after the initial backup will be completed within hours as Carbonite will only need to backup new and changed files.

Another important point regarding the backup process is that not every file type is automatically backed up. These files are automatically backed up:

• Photos
• Documents
• Settings
• Email
• Music*

*Music files are NOT automatically backed up during the 15-day free trial period.

These files are NOT automatically backed up but can be added to your backup with a few extra steps (explained below):

• Videos
• Executable files
• Files larger than 4GB

*To include these files in your backup – and to make sure they are included automatically moving forward – you just right click the files and then choose to have these file types backed up automatically.

One final important note about the Carbonite backup process. If you delete a file on your computer, Carbonite will recognize that change and will also delete that file from their servers after 30 days. Carbonite only monitors and backs up folders and files that are actually on your computer. If you accidentally delete a file on your computer, you’ll have 30 days to retrieve it from Carbonite before it gets deleted from your backup as well.

Backup Status

After the initial backup is completed, the Carbonite backup service will automatically backup your data everyday. You don’t have to turn anything on nor do you have to remember to manually backup your files – except for those file types that aren’t set to backup automatically as mentioned above. To see what has been backed up you just need to look for the dots.

Each folder and file on your computer is marked by a colored dot when you use Carbonite. Solid green dots mean the file has been backed up, yellow dots mean the file is awaiting backup, no dot means the file isn’t being backed up, and a green dot with a white circle in the middle of it means the folder has some files in it that are not being backed up.

Performance

I have been a Carbonite customer for over two years now. It has worked exactly as advertised. It was easy to setup and the backup process truly has been “set and forget” since day one. My backups have been automatic and flawless as promised.

In addition, I’m a heavy computer user who plays and records a lot of audio and video. For that reason, I was very leery about a “small program working in the background” when I first started using Carbonite online backup. To my surprise, I didn’t notice any system performance issues at all – until I upgraded my computer to Windows 7.

When I upgraded to Windows 7 I was having issues with the playback quality of audio and video files. They would periodically skip during playback. It was driving me nuts. I spent hours researching the issue and could never find a fix. I chalked it up as a Windows 7 issue.

Then one day I noticed Carbonite was in the process of backing up my computer while I was watching a YouTube video – which was experiencing this skipping issue. As a test, I temporarily paused the Carbonite backup. I kept it paused for the duration of my work day and guess what happened? None of my audio or video files skipped!

After extensive testing, I confirmed that for my system (typical PC setup with Windows 7) if Carbonite is in the process of a backup and I play audio or video files, they’ll skip. While this has been annoying, it hasn’t been a deal breaker at all. I simply pause Carbonite for a few hours when I know I’ll be playing and recording a lot of audio or video.

This issue may be exclusive to my computer system and setup so don’t assume you’ll experience the same thing. If you do, simply pause Carbonite temporarily and you’ll be good to go.

Security

Even more important than Carbonite’s ease-of-use is their emphasis on security – and rightfully so. If anyone’s data was compromised, they would likely be out of business pretty fast. Data security and privacy should be the top priority for any online backup service and it appears this is the case with Carbonite.

With double-encryption, your files are virtually impossible to be compromised when using Carbonite backup. What double-encryption means is that the data on your computer is first encrypted using 128-bit Blowfish, which is the industry standard encryption protocol for banks and financial institutions. A second layer of encryption is added via the connection between your computer and Carbonite’s secure servers. That connection is done over SSL-encrypted HTTPS. Your data then remains encrypted on Carbonite’s servers.

To ensure that their security measures are indeed as strong as they say they are, Carbonite pays a professional security firm to test their intrusion defenses. To date, Carbonite has never failed their tests.

This security and encryption stuff may be over your head and quite boring (it certainly is to me) but the bottom line is this, nobody is getting your data when you use Carbonite online backup. It is safe and secure at all times.

If you’re wondering what happens if you leave Carbonite, your data is automatically deleted (permanently) after 30 days.

Restoring Data

In regards to restoring files, this is an area where apparently things can get dicey. I haven’t had to restore any files yet (knock on wood) but I have restored a couple files just as a test and it was completely painless. According to some customer comments, however, restoring all your backed up data at once can be a time-consuming and frustrating process given the constraints of the Internet as data can only move as fast as your Internet connection.

I currently have over 350GB of data backed up on Carbonite. Even with my souped-up cable connection I have here at home (I pay Comcast a pretty penny for top download speeds), it would take several days to get all my data restored. I’m sorry, but if my computer crashes today, I can’t wait “several days” to get my data back!

This isn’t unique to Carbonite, however. Any online backup provider that only allows the restoration of data via the Internet will have this liability. If you are concerned about that, then you’ll need to look at another online backup provider that offers other methods of restoring your data. Alternatively, you can do what I do – do regular backups to an external hard drive so you have immediate access to all of your data in the event of a total data loss.

Remote Access

What should be a brilliant feature isn’t – at least for Carbonite online backup. For some reason, you cannot access your files remotely if the file names have spaces, underscores, or dashes in them. The strange exception seems to be Android devices, where accessing files remotely with these characters in the file names isn’t an issue. This is a significant flaw in Carbonite’s remote access capabilities. I’d bet 95% of the files on your computer have files names with spaces, dashes, or underscores in them. After all, who names their files with one long name?

What this means is you will not have remote access to these files – unless you access them via an Android device. As strange as it sounds, this issue has been confirmed by a Carbonite customer and Carbonite themselves (see the comments following this review of Carbonite). If having flawless, easy access to your backed up files is paramount to you, then this may be a deal killer if you’re considering Carbonite.

Customer Support

As with any online backup service, you want to be sure there is adequate customer support. This is where Carbonite isn’t perfect and frankly, needs some improvement. Granted, Carbonite gives you more access to support than most online backup services. They offer phone, live chat, and email support, but this isn’t the problem.

The problem is with the inconsistent response times and the quality of help you actually get when you have a problem. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been using Carbonite backup without any issues so I haven’t had to use their customer support. However, after reading through several customer comments of Carbonite found online and from the emails I get, some say they get immediate and helpful support, while others say it takes forever to get support, or worse yet, they don’t get the support they need.

I think the reality of the quality of their customer support is somewhere in between “really great” and “really bad.” I have to say I read more good things about their support than bad, but I do read the occasional bad experience customers have had. I suppose like any fast growing company like Carbonite, customer support isn’t always going to be perfect.

If this is a concern for you, I always advise people to test their customer support before signing up. Send them an email with a general question or give them a call. See what your experience is and then decide for yourself how good (or bad) their support is!

Bottom Line of Carbonite Backup

Carbonite backup isn’t perfect but no online backup service is right now. I don’t use Carbonite as my sole source of backup. I personally wouldn’t rely on any single method of backing up my files as it’s just too risky. If I used Carbonite backup exclusively and found out later restoring files was indeed a pain, then what would I do? And if I relied exclusively on my external hard drives, what would I do if they crashed or were destroyed in a fire?

For me, Carbonite backup is an incredibly affordable insurance policy. I still continue to do weekly backups to my external hard drives. By using both Carbonite backup and my external hard drives I get total protection. If my computer crashes, I can get get immediate access to my files via my external hard drive. And if my external hard drive crashes or gets destroyed in a fire, I’ll still have all my data waiting for me at Carbonite.

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Of course, you’d have to be willing to pay the price for such a versatile backup and storage solution. And this is where things could turn sour for some users, especially for those who have large volumes of data. There is no unlimited backup with Sugar Sync and for just 30GB of data, you’d have to pay $4.99 for the month-to-month plan or $49.99 for the yearly plan. But if you want more than just an online backup service and if you’re able to fully utilize all its features, SugarSync is an option that’s worth seriously considering. SugarSync offers a free 30-day trial for any plan so there’s nothing to lose if you give it a shot.

Ease of Use

Nobody should have to jump through hoops just to get their file backups done and in this aspect, SugarSync has scored pretty well with reviewers. TopTenReviews calls it the “easiest online backup service” they’ve ever tested.

Initially, you do have to set up the SugarSync File Manager on all computers you’d like backed up but downloading and installing the file takes only about a few minutes, and after that you’re all set. The SugarSync software supports drag and drop options and uses a similar file organization across all types of operating systems, so whether you want to add folders for backup, or access files on another device, you should be able do so without any trouble.

The Backup Process

Setting up SugarSync on your computer includes logging in to your account and then choosing a name and an icon for each of your computers. Once this is done, you will be asked to choose the folders you want backed up and/or synchronized. The main folders – Desktop, My Documents, and My Pictures – are already selected by default but at this point, you can also add more folders to the backup set.

A common complaint with most online backup services is that the initial backup takes a long time, too long for most users, and the same is true with Sugar Sync, although it would also depend on how much data you want backed up. The Initial Sync window of the program would in fact inform you that “A typical high-speed internet connection can upload 2 to 3 GB of data per day.” This means uploading 20GB of data can take about 6 to 10 days. The good thing is, like most other backup solutions, you can continue using your computer while the files are being synced in the background.

One thing that sets SugarSync apart from other services is that it offers real time backups. Once all files are uploaded to the Sugar Sync cloud, the program automatically detects any changes made on the files or folders stored there and then syncs these files. Note that we use the term “sync” here because the edited file or folder will not only be saved on the servers, but will be immediately updated as well when you access it from another computer, smartphone, or any internet-enabled device within your synchronization network.

SugarSync also supports file versioning. So if you’re not happy with the latest version of the document you’ve just saved, you can still dig up the last five versions of the same file. And you don’t have to worry about how much space this could take up (as SugarSync doesn’t offer unlimited storage) because only the latest version is added up to your storage quota.

Backup Status

With the initial sync done, you can expect the succeeding backups to take much faster now since only the changed files need to be updated. You will know when the sync process is in progress because it will be indicated on the system tray icon on the lower right hand corner of your desktop. A green icon with arrows means that the software is currently syncing. To view the status of the upload, just click on the icon and see which files are being synced.

Once the process is completed, the icon will change to that of a hummingbird, the SugarSync logo. If you navigate to your folders using Windows Explorer (for a PC for instance), all files and folders that have already been uploaded up to the latest version will be marked with a green icon with a check mark. To add more folders for backup or change synchronization options, you can click on the same SugarSync icon from the system tray.

Performance

SugarSync’s range of features which includes among others, immediate backup and syncing across multiple devices is pretty impressive.

However, such convenience is not without its drawbacks. With other online storage services, you can schedule backups to take place during off-peak hours or when the computer is not in use and this allows you to work without any worry of the software hogging your bandwidth. In the case of SugarSync, you have no control as to when the program works because it does real time backups or as soon as changes are made in the files or folders.

Both LaptopMag and Online Backups Review have noted slow response times particularly when uploading large files, while on the other hand, Rafe Needleman of CNET says “SugarSync is incredibly fast” in his review. With such conflicting experiences, it may be safe to say that the speed with which SugarSync performs hinges a lot on the volume of data being processed and the connection speed.

Security

Making the user’s peace of mind a top priority, the company has made sure that it leaves no stone unturned in providing secure and reliable backup service. Data entrusted to the SugarSync cloud is protected during the upload process, while in storage, and when files are downloaded by the user.

When the software syncs files, the data is transmitted through a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, a security protocol that is commonly used in web communications. As soon as they reach the servers, the files are then encrypted using 128-bit AES. If the files are accessed by the user, the data goes through the same security standards before reaching the device.

What makes these technologies work may be beyond what most users can grasp, but all you really need to know is that these are tested security measures and are the same ones used by online banks and ecommerce sites. In addition, SugarSync’s servers are housed in two highly-advanced and protected data centers in separate locations. Should one center go down for some reason, the files are still accessible.

Restoring Data

Because it was designed to be more of a synchronization tool than just a simple backup solution, there are several ways of restoring data from the servers. One is by simply accessing it from any computer included in your synchronization network. Sugar Sync file managers are available for both PC and Mac, and apps can also be downloaded for the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Windows Mobile, Android, Blackberry, and Symbian devices.

You also have the option of downloading synced files from computers which are not installed with the software. As long as the computer is connected to the internet, you can log on to your personal SugarSync website and from there, access the needed files.

SugarSync’s multimedia functionality is also something that has scored big points with most reviewers and users. This means your mp3 playlists which have been synced already can be streamed online through any computer or smartphone. Also, digital photo albums can be created, organized, and shared immediately with others.

Remote Access

With SugarSync Mobile, you can do more than just access files even while on the move; you can also sync images and music files between your mobile device and desktop. Take a picture with your smartphone and it will automatically be saved on your computer at home too. This is one feature you’d be hard-pressed to find in any other online backup service.

Customer Support

Now with all these features and capabilities, the chances of a user needing help with something are much greater. Does SugarSync offer ample support channels to users? Unfortunately, no.

While putting this review together, I’ve come across a lot of users who were very disappointed with the company’s lack of customer support. One user commented that “technical support is totally useless” while another said that customer service was “non-existent”.

This isn’t exactly true though, as the company does have email and live chat support. Telephone support is also available but only if you are a Business Plan subscriber or are willing to pay $99.99 a year for this service alone.

However, if SugarSync wants to offer the complete package to consumers, then they should step up in the customer service department.

Bottom Line of this SugarSync Review:

While other backup services take pride in offering the simplest approach to online backup – just “set and forget”, this one puts emphasis on the fact that it does more than backup and yet still tries to keep things as easy for the user as possible.

Certainly, individuals who are constantly on the move and who need access to files anytime from any of their devices have a lot to be excited about with Sugar Sync. What SugarSync offers – powerful backup and synchronization, sharing and collaboration, mobile accessibility – may be just right for these users.

But if you’re one of those who just want assurance of a backup in case your hard drive crashes or your laptop gets stolen, you may find a syncing solution a bit overkill. Simple, basic backup, and particularly one that offers unlimited storage, would be the best option for you. The PCMag review of SugarSync put it best when it said that, “If you’re looking for the Swiss Army knife of file-synchronization, SugarSync is the service for you.”

Mozy Home offers bullet-proof encryption to ensure your files are fully secured and protected and is very easy to use. The small program that manages your backups works quietly in the background without taking up too much of your computer’s resources. And if you don’t want it continuously working in the background, you can create a schedule as to when you want your backups performed.

Mozy is owned by Decho corporation, a subsidiary of the enterprise storage giant and Fortune 500 company, EMC. The parent company’s strong emphasis and experience with the enterprise space is apparent with MozyHome. But while the online backup service is easy to use, it’s still not the easiest solution out there for the novice and it has some advanced features that may be overwhelming for some.

MozyHome Free service was the first online backup service I tried back in the beginning of 2008. But given that over two years has passed since that time, I found it necessary to take a quick look at what Mozy Home now offers, especially with the release of Mozy version 2.0.

Initial Install and Backup With MozyHome

Installing Mozy Home was easy and the setup was painless. With Mozy 2.0, you simply have to create a new account by entering your email address and password, and you’re in. The software then automatically scans your computer for files, afterwards giving you a summary of the files it is set to backup. Now you can change the backup set in the succeeding pages but in general, the files you are presented with initially are just the ones most users need backed up – photos, music, documents, videos, and others. As soon as you confirm, the initial backup starts. Most initial backups take hours or even days but the good thing is, you won’t be kept in the dark as Mozy will give an estimated time for backup.

Subsequent Backups and Interface

The initial backup using MozyHome (or any other online backup service for that matter) can take a while, but subsequent backups usually take no more than a few minutes or hours as these services backup only new and changed files after the initial backup. Backups can be scheduled or set to occur automatically. The default is automatic backup but if for some reason you’d prefer to have Mozy run only once or twice a week, you can set this up manually.

Mozy version 2.0 has a better user interface when it comes to giving updates on the backup status. Users have deemed it very helpful that the status window shows clear details on what Mozy is currently working on: the actual file being backed up and the percentage completed, the number of files already transferred, and the total number still on queue.

MozyHome utilizes easily-recognizable icons to show the backup status of each file and folder on your computer. A green check mark indicates that that file has already been backed up and a red exclamation point means that file is not backed up.

Local Backup

Those who’ve read my previous reviews and other articles on this site know I’m a strong proponent of having a local backup via an external hard drive in addition to online backup. If you’re using Mozy 2.0 for Windows, both backups are completed for you (so long as you have your external hard drive connected to your computer).

The latest version of the service has a feature called Mozy2x Protect that automatically backs up the files on an external drive. You simply have to enable local backup, specify the drive you want the program to backup to, and that’s it.

File Access

Mozy launched their iPhone and Android apps in April 2011 and at the time of this MozyHome review, the app has gotten rave reviews. With the Mozy app for iOS, users can access all their backed up files. Even if you are backing up multiple computers with Mozy, you can access all the files from these computers with one app. Additional features include the ability to publish pictures from your backup directly to Facebook and the ability to email any of the files from your backup.

File Restoration Options with MozyHome

As important as the backup itself is the restore process. After all, we backup our files anticipating that we can recover one or all of these should the need arise. When you use MozyHome, you have three options to restore your data:

• Client Restore: You restore from the application that runs on your computer; best for restoring the oddball file you need.
• Web Restore: You restore by downloading your files from the Mozy website; best for restoring a large number of files.
• DVD Restore: You restore by receiving your files on DVDs shipped to you from Mozy; this is a paid option.

Customer Support

Customer support for Mozy users has always been an issue with the company and one that the service provider is still struggling to address. That said, many users have also noted some improvements in support features. MozyHome subscribers can opt to open a support case via their online support desk, or use the live chat support. There is no phone support for Mozy Home users.

Bottom Line of this MozyHome Review

What I’ve discovered with these online backup services which cater to the home user is that none of them are perfect. For every few positive reviews I read about Mozy Home, I would find a less-than-positive review. I didn’t get the sense one way or another after reading all these reviews (from both experts and consumers alike) to use Mozy Home or not to use it. Some loved it. Some hated it.

Based on my actual experience with MozyHome and the overall comments and reviews I read, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it with a few caveats. One, none of these “cheap” online services are perfect so set your expectations accordingly. Two, try to test the restore process to see just how easy (or difficult) it is to get your data restored. That said, it’s worth noting that Mozy services may have vastly improved over the last few months, especially with the upgrade to Mozy version 2.0, and therefore, merit a try at the very least.

And finally, don’t rely on any online backup service as your sole backup safeguard! Make sure you also backup your data to an external hard drive at least once a month (which you can now do more easily with Mozy). By doing that, you’ll be totally protected and you’ll have the best of both worlds. You’ll have instant access to any files via your external hard drive and if your hard drive crashes or perishes in a fire or some other catastrophe, you’ll have your files waiting for you at MozyHome.

Read on as we take a closer look at this online backup service that’s touted by PCWorld.com as a, “hefty cut above,” the others. But whether or not SpiderOak is really the most cost-effective solution or the one with the right set of features for you is something that you’d have to find out for yourself after reading this review of SpiderOak.

The overall appeal and user-friendliness of an online storage service is a very important factor for many consumers. If users start off with an easy yet effective experience, they’ll be left with a lasting, favorable impression of that product. Unfortunately, SpiderOak doesn’t fare as well as it should in this aspect according to reviews and comments we’ve run across.

One reviewer said the service, “isn’t something you are probably going to have your grandma setup for herself,” while another was more forthright, commenting that the user interface, “doesn’t lend itself very well to managing the backup set.” That said, many reviewers also acknowledged that a complicated app isn’t always a bad thing. In the case of SpiderOak, ease and simplicity have take the backseat in favor of having a software that’s capable of performing more advanced functions and offering more features.

In addition, credit should be given to the SpiderOak team because despite being a cross-platform solution, the look and feel of the application is consistent whether you’re running the program on a PC, Mac or Linux-based system. This makes it a lot simpler for customers who are actually using the service on different platforms.

The Backup Process

To start backing up data, you first have to download the appropriate client for your computer from the SpiderOak website. This will only take a couple of minutes at most, after which, you can immediately do a straightforward, wizard-guided installation. A successful installation will load the software right away, taking you to the account set-up page. If it is your first time to backup then you should select the First Time User option. The other option is for an Existing User Adding a Computer.

After the initial installation and set-up done are completed, you can begin backing up your data. When you click on the Backup tab from the main window, you’ll find the most common categories highlighted on the left pane: Desktop, Documents, Email, Movies, Music, and Pictures. Clicking on a category name allows you to view all the files and folders within the category, while clicking on the check box automatically selects all data within that folder for backup. You can also choose individual files and folders by checking these directly from the main window.

On the bottom portion of the screen, you’ll find a Storage Bar and a Newly Selected Files meter that grows or reduces as you select/deselect items. When you have completed your intended backup set, click on Save to begin the uploading process.

As mentioned earlier, SpiderOak not only provides secure storage for your data, it also allows you to sync data across your network of computers registered with the service. Regardless of whichever computer you use to edit files, you can have an updated copy all the time. SpiderOak also utilizes an efficient file versioning system that keeps a copy of every version of your file, yet does it by saving only the parts that have changed so that these numerous files don’t eat up a lot of storage space.

In addition, if duplicate copies of certain files are maintained in two or three computers (your iTunes collection, for instance), the extra copies won’t be counted against your storage quota. If you accidentally, or even intentionally delete a file, this will simply be moved to the Deleted Items folder and will stay there until you delete it for good.

Backup Status

SpiderOak provides a Status tab on the main screen of the interface that updates users on the status of any activity going on within the network. If you see a spinning orange icon right beside the Status heading, this means that file uploading or downloading to/from the servers is in progress.

The main window shows a list of all the files being sent to or received from SpiderOak with a progressing completion percentage, while a smaller window on the left lists all the computers that are part of your SpiderOak network, plus the total amount of data stored in each device. If your computer shuts down or connection is lost, the data transmission will naturally stop, but will immediately pick up from where it left off as soon as power or connection is re-established.

Under the Status section, there is also a Log tab that will give you a detailed list of all the files that have been uploaded or downloaded. While this tool will come in handy in finding out which files have or haven’t been backed up, there are more efficient ways to indicate the backup status of files and folders that other providers use. For example, some providers mark each file or folder that is backed up with a green dot. That way, you can instantly see if it is backed up or not with having to check a separate log.

One significant drawback of SpiderOak is that it does not support automatic backup scheduling, which many users find convenient for having backups run when the computer is idle or when the bandwidth is least used. The website does mention that this feature will be added in future versions of the program.

Performance

SpiderOak utilizes compression technology which compresses files before transmission, helping save on storage. One subscriber notes how his 384GB of data from various devices has been condensed to about 115GB, thanks to the backup solution’s compression and de-duplication (no storing of duplicate file copies) techniques. This allowed him to purchase only a 200GB- instead of a 400GB storage plan. But aside from saving space, compression and de-duplication may also help facilitate faster uploads and syncs. The website says uploads could go 10-15 times faster.

Uploads may be quicker with SpiderOak, but some have claimed that it is a resource and memory hog. Software developer Avdi Grimm deduces in his SpiderOak review that this problem could be related to the service’s “zero-knowledge” policy. While this ensures the utmost security and privacy for your data, it could also become a burden for your CPU and memory usage. According to him, “All the chunking, deduplication, encryption, and sync calculations have to be done on the client side.” None of these processes are passed on to the server or the cloud.

Customer reviews have also revealed some issues with the seeming unpredictability of the software. File synchronization, in particular, was called “slow” and “intermittent”.

Security

Security, a given with any online backup service, is usually implemented by using SSL data transmission and encryption technology. But SpiderOak has taken it a step further. The exact words of co-founder Alan Fairless were that, “SpiderOak takes a native zero-knowledge approach to cryptography.” You get all that? lol. In plain English, this method involves having you create a password on your own computer (and not on a company-provided web form). This is then encrypted so that no hint of the original password is sent over to the servers.

The same thing happens to the rest of your data. Everything is encrypted at your end so that what is stored at the servers are simply containers of encrypted data. Names of saved folders and files are incomprehensible as well. Not only are hackers kept out, even SpiderOak employees who have physical access to the servers won’t be able to make anything of the files stored there.

Physical data centers are maintained by the company itself. These centers are said to be equipped with redundant power, battery backup, generators, and cooling systems. For subscribers who have extremely sensitive and important data, geographic redundancy is also available at a premium price.

Restoring Data

The crux of any data backup service is the restore function and one review we came across calls restoring with SpiderOak “straightforward and quick.” On the client interface, just click on the View tab, select the specific computer you want to download data from, and then check the files or folders you want to restore. When all files have been selected, clicking the Download button will start the restore process. By default, the recovered data will be placed in the Downloads folder or in the drive or folder specified in the Preference section. Upon download, files from the cloud will be decompressed directly on your computer.

In case of a total hard drive crash that renders your old computer completely unusable, all you need to do is install the SpiderOak client on a new computer and add that computer as a new device upon log in. Or, you can also recover all the data from the damaged computer to any of the other computers registered in your network.

Aside from being able to restore files back to your machine or a new device, you can also share files with other people. What makes SpiderOak’s sharing function unique is the use of ShareRooms. Users can create different ShareRooms for different sets of files and invite family members or colleagues to view these files.

ShareRooms can only be accessed by the ShareID and RoomKey, which serve as your password. Viewers don’t even need to have a SpiderOak account because ShareRooms are accessible through the website. Any changes made to the files in a room will be automatically updated, and the files can also be downloaded by others via a link provided.

Remote Access

Access to your data saved on the servers can be done even without your computer on hand. This can be done by logging into the SpiderOak website using your account details. While this feature is pretty much standard fare for most services, the functions you can do through the site may be limited.

With the SpiderOak web interface, you can view documents and download a file or an entire folder as a zip file. However, you can’t upload files from your browser. This may not be a must-have feature for most users, but can still come in handy if you happen to create a file from halfway around the globe and need to save it securely.

For data access while on the go, iOS and Android apps are available for owners of Phones/iPads and Android devices. Mobile functionality includes viewing, listening or watching any of your files, visiting ShareRooms, sending a file, and saving a file directly to your mobile device.

Customer Support

Customer support is another area where SpiderOak ups the ante. The company offers a broad range of tech support including e-mail, phone, and something I haven’t seen with any provider to date – support via Twitter (@spideroak_help), Skype chat, and Skype phone support.

Customer support tends to be a general weakness across the board with online backup services so I expected to run across various negative comments about SpiderOak’s support. Not surprising then, I did run find a handful of negative comments. What was striking, though, was that the folks at SpiderOak were making efforts to address those comments by actually responding to them and promising to make an effort to address the issues or prevent them from happening again.

The reason I find that “striking” is because normally when I see these negative comments about support, I rarely see representatives from these companies stepping up to the plate by addressing the comments – if at the very least to defend their company.

Bottom Line of this SpiderOak Review:

If there’s one thing that you can say about SpiderOak Online Backup, it’s that it is a highly technical product. There may be have been some sacrifices made as far as ease of use and interface are concerned, but for the tech-savvy user who has multiple computers on multiple platforms, they will certainly appreciate what this service has to offer.

Even if you aren’t a tech savvy user with multiple computers and platforms, you still may find SpiderOak interesting enough to try. At the very least, the backup and restore functions are very straightforward, and the security features are among the best I’ve seen so far. Furthermore, the pricing is about as simple and straightforward as it comes.

The storage process is not limited to just your computer and may be your external hard drive, you can also use your  mobile phone to access your storage account even if you are not at home or just don’t have your computer with you.

The system will also provide you and your business a multitude of features that you can use to maintain and manage all your files. And you will actually be able to choose from 3 different packages that differ in prices and are dependent on the number of users.

How to Use Egnyte?

Since this is a fairly simple online storage tool, all you need to do is to sign up and do everything online. What you need is a strong and stable internet connection and you also need to determine the number of users that will share the account with you.

The key here is to supply all the needed information accurately. Otherwise, you will not be informed in case there are updates and other promos that come with the system.

Once you have successfully registered your company and yourself as the administrator then it’s time for you to check out all the features of this online storage system. You can now start uploading files, sharing them with your co-workers and you can also sync everything on your desktop. You can also place files in your private folder – one of the perks of being an administrator of the account.

From the console or the user interface, you can carefully select all the files that you need to share and the ones that you would like to keep private. Folders can be created on the user interface or on your account and you can specify and restrict access if you want to.

And after each upload or back up, the files will appear on the main page of your account.

What are its features?

Or course, if you will be choosing an online file storage to use for your business, the first thing that you would ask would be the features that come with the package. In this case, the most common feature is the online file storage system that allows the administrator and other members to upload and back up company files for security and safe keeping. Another great thing about Egnyte is that it keeps your files safe from overlaps or being over written.

At the same time, another great thing about this online storage is the mobile access that it provides all its authorized users. You can check your account using your mobile phone easily as long as you have a good internet or wireless connection.

If you have authorized more than one person to access the account, all of you can simultaneously upload and back up files without interruption or decrease in the rate of performance. You can also share links instead of sharing attachments which may take more time or take up a lot of storage space.

At the same time, you can make sure that all the file transfers are secured because you can modify the user controls. You can authorize one person or more to access files or you can just set the user and access to private.

You can also use the program off line using the local cloud access. This makes it easier to manage like setting or modifying controls, uploading your company logo.  And in the event that you have accidentally deleted folders or files, you can immediately restore the folders back in their proper places.

One common feature that most online storage systems have is the ability to make scheduled and manual backups. Like MyPC Backup, you also have the option to set process based on the schedule that is most convenient for the administrator.  You may also schedule or set the system to continuously backup all the company’s files to make sure that your computers have enough storage space for more files or documents.

Money Talks

It is believed that aside from the performance of a product and the quality of service, the most important point of consideration is how much it would all cost when you take advantage of Egnyte’s features.

There are actually three types of payment packages depending on the total number of users that you would like to authorize for the accounts. The number of users goes up to 250 users or members; this is the reason why it is important to talk to experts or check out Egnyte’s website to properly select the package that suits your company’s needs.

If you only need 1 administrator PC (also known as a power user) and would only allow a maximum of 20 authorized users, then the package that is best for you is called The Pro Package which has the $14.99 monthly fee. With this package you will get 2 licenses for automatic backup, which means that the power users can back up 2 computers. Then there’s the Group Package with a rate of $29.99/month. Here you can have as much as 5 main or power users that can backup 10 computers and can allow as much as 100 authorized users. 150 Gigabytes of storage space also come with the package. For 1 terabyte storage space as well as 20 auto-backup licenses, what your company needs is the Office Package with a monthly fee of $44.99. Through this package, you get to authorize as much as 250 users and can have 10 administrator users and PCs.

Of course, to make sure that this is the online storage for you, Egnyte can be sampled by signing up for a 15 day trial for free. You will be presented an almost unlimited storage space and you will also get to enjoy a hassle free online backup system.

Features

Upon installation, you select the folders that you want to have backed up, before you even get started with the app. The usual suspects are listed: your Documents folder, your Pictures folder, etc. And as soon as you finish those short, brief initial steps, the backups begin.

There are a few things that we’re wary about when we have to install desktop utilities and apps. The first is the affects that the installation will have on our system, and we’re always a little relieved when we find that our system doesn’t degrade any, or that nothing adverse happens after installing the app. That was the case here; we installed, and everything performed as usual, so that’s good. The second thing, though, that we watch for is the domination of the screen; i.e. how well is the interface of the app put together? That’s one of the things that these online backup and storage services actually get consistently wrong. But in this case, with LiveDrive, what we have is a very clean interface, with the app itself taking up very little screen real estate. In fact, the primary menu is this little box that looks more like a popup than an actual app that appears when you double click the tray icon. It’s divvied up into two tabs: Backup and Briefcase, each displaying the statuses of each.

So that’s the backing up of your files, the processes anyway. But how you interact with those backed up files is a separate process of course. We found this to be incredibly fluid. Unlike what you have with other service, the application and the website complement each other very well, with the website actually taking a leading role, and with the desktop app really only there to coordinate the backing up of files. With other services, what we’ve found, and what we’ve grown to actually be frustrated with, is the fact that there were always a number of ways of accomplishing the same result, and weren’t always sure which was the more productive way to do something as simple as, say, restoring a folder from the web. With LiveDrive, it’s straightforward, unambiguous, and clear cut: the desktop app is primarily there to coordinate the backup activities, and the website’s for most everything else.

Briefcase is where the true power of the service is realized. In fact, we feel that LiveDrive is all Briefcase; it’s what LiveDrive is. The feature can do a number of things, but it’s important to keep in mind the fact that things bandwidth and storage are unlimited. Keep that in mind: unlimited.

That dimension to the service is powerful. There are online drives out there that offer this sort of thing, though not at the quality of service that you get with LiveDrive, with the biggest drawback about those services being the limitation on storage space and bandwidth.

The most prominent use and feature of Briefcase is the ability to attach an L: drive to your PC’s operating system, with your Windows Explorer recognizing LiveDrive as an actual other drive, like having an unlimited storage capacity USB drive inserted into all of your PCs (your PCs at work, home, etc.). This wasn’t just amazing because of the fact that the storage capacity was unlimited, but also because the experience of it was super fluid; i.e we actually experienced the L: drive as another drive; it was as quick and fast as a USB drive. Granted, we weren’t expecting, nor could we stream video files off of the drive as well as we could a local C: drive, but we came pretty damn close. That’s point one: the L: drive.

Point two is the ability to edit the same file from more than one PC at the same time, and have the file update. Simply amazing. We were able to even retouch photos on one laptop, and could reliably expect to find those updates on the same file from the other computers we had the Briefcase installed on.

File Sharing

In the Features section, we went over a bit about Briefcase:

• Finding updates of a file on all computers that had LiveDrive installed
• Using L: drive as a universal “USB” drive of infinite storage capacity
• Having access to the same set of files from all computers

For those that socialize and collaborate on the web a good deal, either for work or school, you’ll find that Briefcase is well worth the $16.95 per month that the company’s charging for the set of features. Here’s why:

What you get with Briefcase is the ability to fluidly share files with folks over social networking sites, such as Facebook and Flickr, straight away from your web portal, where you go to view your Briefcase. You can elect to drag and drop files on a whim, which we found to be super convenient when it came to putting together quick and easy albums of particular motifs, themes, and events. (In fact, a number of us here have actually picked up this subscription, practically just for this feature alone: to be able to whip up quick and easy Facebook albums, since the social networking site’s album features are so static; those sites really need to get with some drag and drop functionality.)

File sharing’s made super easy with Briefcase. The company is offering what they’re calling One-Click Sharing. And what that basically does is it allows you to post a public file, say, with one click (on the PC, it’s the right-click menu option), and to post that public file on the web.

You get the standard permissions set with LiveDrive:

• Public files that are posted to the web, which you get an URL that you can send to friends over an IM window
• Permissions based files and folders, which you can invite users to
• And completely private, locked down files and folders that only you can view

Support

With a number of these other fly by night online backup, storage and file sharing services, you really have shoddy support. So, though we didn’t find that we needed support, we found that that our available options were quite extensive, and that was refreshing. Both services (see section on Price) offer the standard service and support package, and the company websites claim a response by a live support staff within 24 hours. However, Backup & Briefcase subscribers will have priority over the Backup only subscribers. (We didn’t find or figure out how that would affect a Backup only subscriber.)

The knowledge base is extensive, with multiple articles and versions kept on various subjects, and with peer and forum type platforms for users to share experiences with, and to even help trouble shoot problems with. Support was more than adequate, unlike what you’ll find with a good portion of the services out there on the web.

Price

In terms of pricing, what you get with LiveDrive are two services. Since bandwidth and storage are both unlimited, you’re not left with very many big decisions to make. Bu there is one big decision: Briefcase. Briefcase is going to cost you three times as much as the standard backup solution, but it’s a compelling service; but is it worth the $16.95 a month? It depends on how often you socialize and collaborate on the web.

The problem we had was that the company doesn’t offer a trial on the Briefcase service, it only offers the trial on the Backup only solution. So, you’re forced into subscribing for a month. The 16 bucks should is rather negligible but we’d really would have preferred that the service be open to trial. The savings on the yearly subscription for the Briefcase is substantial; you’re basically getting about a month and a half free if you pay the full year up front. See the section on features of Briefcase to see if you feel it’s worth trying the service, at a fee, for a month. For what it’s worth, the Facebook features alone compelled a number of us to sign up for Briefcase, for at least a few months, if not to just spruce up our photo albums a bit.

If you are a current LiveDrive user please leave your own review, thoughts, comments and ratings below for others to see. That way people don’t have to only take our word for it.

Dropbox offers 2GB of free space and if you need more, you can upgrade to a Pro 50 plan (50GB at $9.99 a month), or the Pro 100 plan (100GB at $19.99 a month). Yes, there are definitely other cheaper online backup plans out there but for those who could use the convenience that Dropbox offers, the cost may be worth it.

Ease of Use

Reading through several Dropbox reviews, there’s one thing I immediately found in common in all of them: those reviews found Dropbox to be very simple to use. PCMag’s Edward Mendelson raves about its “clean, intelligent design,” comparing it to a Facebook page but sans the clutter.

One thing that makes using Dropbox pretty straightforward is the fact that it only gives you one sync folder: the My Dropbox folder. This where you will just drag and drop files that you want backed up to the web and synced to other computers.

On one hand, it lacks the set-and-forget approach of other online storage solutions which gives you the assurance that once the backup software is installed, all files marked for regular backup will be continually saved without you having to do anything else. But then again, having just one main folder updated every time changes are made does make for simpler monitoring of files being backed up at any given time. Plus, it’s easy to know exactly what important data or folders still need to be copied into that folder.

The Backup Process

Once you install the program, you should be able to find the My Dropbox folder on your desktop. As earlier mentioned, this is your sole go-to folder for anything and everything that you want backed up, synced across different computers, or shared with others. For as long as you have an internet connection, any folders or files moved, copied, or directly saved to the Dropbox folder are immediately and automatically backed up to the servers.

The strength of Dropbox actually isn’t so much in its online backup functions but in its syncing and sharing capabilities. The sync feature is especially useful if you have multiple workstations and you want to be able to access and edit a file in one computer and then get the same updated document when you open the file in another. To do this, just install Dropbox on all of your computers; there’s a version for PC, Mac, and Linux. As long as you log in to the same Dropbox account in these computers, you’ll find the same set of files in the respective Dropbox folders.

While Dropbox does not have the more advanced features of other online backup solutions, it does have some pretty neat features that are worth mentioning. One is being able to restore previous versions of your files. Overwritten files and deleted documents can still be found in the Dropbox website when you log in to your account. Old file versions can be stored in the servers for up to a maximum of 30 days. If you upgrade to a paid account, you can take advantage of the Pack-Rat feature which allows unlimited “undos” until you get back to the version you want.

Backup Status

Changes made to any of the files within the Dropbox folder will be automatically updated to the other web-enabled computers within your network. If any of the other computers are offline, these will be synced as soon as they get connected to the internet.

You will know which of the files in your Dropbox folder are updated with the other computers because these will be marked by a green checkmark. If the sync process is still in progress, the file will show an icon showing two arrows on a blue background. The updating process between computers, however, should take no more than a few seconds, saving you precious time and bandwidth.

Performance

Initial sync and backup is a common problem with most online backup services. Depending on the volume of data that is being processed and the connection speed, the first backup can take days or even weeks, and can also hog much of your bandwidth so that your regular work is disrupted. In the case of Dropbox, however, I have yet to come across a review or user experience that raises an issue over how long the backup is taking or how the internet connection has slowed down because of the program.

While this could mean that Dropbox is really powerful, it could also be because there is no overload of data to initially backup. You can opt to just add files into your sync folder over time and this may be a more efficient way of backing up.

PocketLint.com points out that you won’t even see or feel that the software is installed if not for the Dropbox icon that appears on the menu bar (for Mac) and for the presence of the My Dropbox folder.

Security

In searching for information as to what security protocols are utilized by Dropbox, I was surprised to find that a Dropbox review published by Productivity501.com raised a concern regarding secure data encryption. The reviewer believed that “Dropbox doesn’t offer directly a way to securely encrypt your data.” If the data were really encrypted he says, the backup service would not be able to allow the user to view or download files from the web, or share links publicly.

A quick check on the security page of Dropbox told me however, that the company, like its rival services, has in fact implemented adequate measures to ensure that users’ files entrusted to them are completely safe. Transfer of data is done over a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) tunnel, and once the files reach the servers, these are encrypted using AES-256.

With these restrictions, access to accounts is impossible unless the right username and password are provided by the user. Further, these web technologies are standard security measures commonly utilized for highly critical transactions over the web such as internet banking and online commerce.

Restoring Data

Being both a backup and synchronization solution, data backed up on Dropbox can be restored through several channels. One means of access is through another computer that also has the program client installed. By logging in to your account, you’ll be able to find all your synced files in the folder of that PC or Mac. If you’re using a computer that does not have the software but is connected to the internet, you can just log in to the Dropbox website and download the files you need from there.

With Dropbox, files are not only restored, they can also be shared. Inside the Dropbox folder, is another folder marked Public. All files dumped here can be shared with the rest of the world. If you want to let family members view your latest photo gallery for instance, just copy and send them the publicly accessible link and they can download or view the file from their end.

Even folders or files not moved to the Public folder may also be shared. This is especially helpful not only for viewing but more for collaborative purposes. You can give others access to these files by sending them an invitation link, but in this case, your sharing group should have Dropbox installed on their computers too.

Remote Access

Other than being able to access your data from a remote computer, you can also do the same from your mobile phone or device. Dropbox apps are available for the iPhone, iPad, Android, and Blackberry. This way you can view your files while on the move and even edit them using third party apps.

Customer Support

Most online backup services are constantly plagued with negative feedback about their customer support. Even the more popular companies like Carbonite and Mozy are not immune to this. But with Dropbox, I couldn’t find any complaints on customer service. This is actually quite ironic considering that Dropbox offers only email support; no phone support or even live chat. The company’s Help page though, offers a very comprehensive FAQ section that covers practically every type of query imaginable. Still, having someone to chat with or talk to in case a problem crops up would be a huge help to customers and a big boost for the Dropbox service.

To be fair, there were no high praises for customer service either. But the fact that Dropbox users seem to have or need little interaction with the support team may be indicative of just how easy the service works.

Bottom Line of this Dropbox Review:

When the service was first launched in early 2008, CNET then referred to Dropbox in its review as “a promising new tool for online storage, file sync, and sharing.”

Today, many users have experienced the potential that reviewers saw in Dropbox in its beta stages – at least as far as the file syncing and sharing are concerned. As an online backup solution, however, this service still leaves a lot to be desired. Judging from the features that it offers and the way that the user interface was developed, i.e. the use of just one folder, it’s apparent that Dropbox was created with the intention of making the processes of syncing and collaborating much simpler. And in that, it has succeeded.

However, if you’re after a service that you can rely on for a full recovery of your files in case of a hard drive crash, theft, or any other unfortunate circumstances, then there are other online backup options that can better fit your needs.

There is the Carbonite Business plan, which provides 250GB of online backup and storage for $229 per year, and Carbonite Business Premiere, which provides 500GB of backup for $599 per year.

Set-up and Backup

Most small and medium enterprises don’t have the luxury of being able to maintain an IT department. And you won’t need to. Nor would you need to read any training manual or to procure any additional hardware. In typical Carbonite manner, the installation was designed to be so simple, you and the rest of your team members can have the software set up and running in just a few minutes.

Doing backup is just as easy – but not ideal. If you’ve used Carbonite for your personal files or any online backup service for that matter, you know that the initial backup is a breeze but it can take a while depending on the amount of data you need to save to the cloud. Therein lies the problem with the initial backup process with Carbonite Business.

Given that most businesses have a lot more data to backup than the average home user, we’d like to see Carbonite offer the option to have the initial backup completed via mail like other business online backup services offer. It can take weeks just to have 100GB of data backed up. A business should be able to backup their data to an external hard drive and then be able to mail that hard drive to Carbonite to complete the initial backup.

Unlike Carbonite for home users, Carbonite Business supports external hard drive backup. That means if your business backs up regularly to an external hard drive, you can have that external hard drive backed up as well. This is important since many small businesses rely on external hard drives as their primary backup.

Finally regarding data backup, the Carbonite Business Premier plan supports Windows Server backup.

Security

Carbonite takes their security seriously. Security starts with 128-bit Blowfish encryption that the files undergo even before they leave your computer. The data is then transmitted using Secure Socket Layer technology, which according to backup services that utilize this, is the technology used by major banks, ecommerce sites, and credit card corporations for all transactions that occur over the internet. Finally, the data arrives and is stored, still encrypted, on Carbonite’s servers.

The data centers where the servers are located are protected 24/7 and equipped with backup generators, temperature controls, and UPS machines. Further, tight server access policies are enforced for personnel on duty.

Data Restore

Carbonite Business makes it easy to restore data, regardless if it’s just one file or your entire backup set. The client software comes with a Restore Manager that lets you search for a file right from your desktop (using the file name, file type, or date when the file was last modified), Select it, Restore it, and even Verify or view the summary of recovered files. Files that are more urgently needed than others can be prioritized in the order of restore.

In the event of a complete hard drive crash, you can log in to the Carbonite site, click Restore, and you will be given the step-by-step process of how you can download all your saved files. Data recovery is even possible even when you can’t get to a computer to connect to the Internet because you can request Carbonite to send you a hard drive of all your backed up data.

Remote Access

Just like the Carbonite plan for home users, all files saved on the business account can be viewed and downloaded from any Internet-enabled computer, whether this is registered on your network or not. You or your employee can do this by logging in in to your respective accounts through the Carbonite website, and going to “View Files.” Folders and files as arranged as they are on your computer so you waste no time finding the one you need and even restoring it from there.

No computer on hand? As long as you’ve got your smartphone with you, accessing files is no problem either. Free mobile apps for the iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices are also available.

File Sharing and Syncing

These are glaring areas that need improvement – especially when you consider the collaborative nature of businesses. With Carbonite Business, there is no simple or easy way to share files. The only way to share files is to have each employee log into the Carbonite Business account and view the files. This isn’t ideal as files should be quick and easy to share and pass along among employees.

Likewise, the lack of file syncing makes collaboration difficult. Imagine a group of employees working on a project with many different files. “John” downloads a file and makes changes to it. A few hours later, “Jane” downloads the file and makes changes to it as well. Without file syncing, there would be 3 versions of the file – the original backed up file, John’s copy, and Jane’s copy. You can imagine the mess this would create.

Customer Support

Having launched just a couple weeks ago (June 15, 2011), Carbonite Business is too new to find any positive or negative comments from business users on how well their customer support is. What we can comment on is that the service provides phone, email, and live chat support 7 days a week from 8 a.m. – 12 a.m. EST.

What really stands out about their customer support, however, is the fact that Carbonite offers valet setup. What this service entails is Carbonite’s small business team installing Carbonite for you and making sure your backup is customized specifically for your business.

Bottom Line of this Carbonite Business Review:

From what we’ve read and seen so far, Carbonite Business is a simple and secure service that is straightforward with data recovery and restore. True, it lacks some of the functionality that a number of small companies may need in the course of their operations (i.e. easy file sharing and syncing), but businesses who simply want to have reliable, offsite storage for their data should give Carbonite Business serious consideration.