Mozy Remote Backup is a backup tool that runs on your desktop and backs up to a remote server on the web. I started using it a few days ago to test it out and see how I like it. It is a nice tool, but it is missing some functions that I'd like to see.
Why Backup?
I have a lot of files that I really would not want to loose. I have lesson plans, stories I've written, a half completed novel. I would be ever so upset if I lost it all. What do you have that you don't want to loose? You address book? Recipe book? Do you have a backup plan? Most people can use a 2gb backup space. More is good for many, especially if you have a lot of pictures from your digital camera that you need to backup. You can back them up to dvd, if you have a dvd burner, but that does not save them from a catastrophe, like a fire.
Description of Tool
Mozy has a little tool that you install on your Windows or Apple based PC (sorry, no Linux). You then set this tool to automatically back up what you want backed up when you want it backed up. Mozy will do it right now, on a schedule, or when the PC is idle. The tool has a history of backups, restore tool and a browser to choose which files to backup. It also comes in multiple types.
I chose to go with the Free Mozy Home edition. This edition is limited to 2 gb, which gets all the data I have on this PC, but not all my pictures. If I wanted to backup all my pictures, I'd need to go for the Mozy Unlimited. They appear to be the same, except the Mozy Unlimited allows you to backup as much as you have, with no limits.
Mozy Pro, is the next step up. This is meant for professionals. It has the ability to backup SQL and network drives. It can also backup Windows Servers, but does not support Mac. It also has better support (24x7 phone support). The Enterprise Edition is the Pro version with a 15 minute guaranteed response time from support.
For a comparison of the paid versions, see here.
Since I am using the free version, the remainder of my review will be about it. If I know something is not true about the paid versions, I'll say so.
The Good
2 gb backup space for free. Not much to complain about with the price. You can specify the types of files you want to backup as well as individual files or directories. There are also several options for when to backup. For me, the idle time backup is best. I never know when I'll be at the computer. I'm not usually at it in the middle of the night, but I try to remember to shut down to save energy. That means the scheduled backup is not so great. Others may have some time when they are always away, so a scheduled backup will work. Some people may want to just say "do it now". All these options are there.
There are several options for restoring files. You can use the software, set up a virtual drive (Windows Only), have them burn a DVD and mail it to you, or you can restore from the web. These are all great options. The software is only good for restoring a couple of files at a time, but the other options make up for that.
Versioning support. If you screwed up your file, but it was good a week ago, you can restore the good one from a week ago.
The Bad
No Linux. My desktop is a Linux box. This laptop is meant dual boot and I spend a lot of time in Linux. When I'm in Windows, the backups get run, but they don't when I'm on the Linux side. For many of you, this is not a problem. I might try installing it under Wine. Perhaps I'll be able to get it to work there. I'll post an update after I test it out.
The program automatically tries to decide what to backup. You will want to go and manually override this, as it is a computer. It is not very bright. It has some of my pictures set to backup, not others. Some of my documents, not others. It did not seem to have much rhyme or reason as to which it grabbed for backup. Two files, right next to each other, very similar files, one was set to backup, the other not. If you want your documents, either tell it to backup every file of that type, or the ones in you documents directory. I told it to backup everything in my documents folders.
Versioning only for 30 days. If your good file was from 31 days ago, you cannot go back and get it. This is realistic, they can't keep every version forever, but I might like to see a longer time that 30 days. BUt that is just because there have been a couple of times that I didn't realize something was corrupt for more than 30 days.
Conclusion
If you are not on Linux most of your life, then this is a good program. There are a couple of flaws, but they can be worked around. Try out the free version and if you like it, upgrade. Or if you have more than 2 gb that you must backup, get the pro version, try it out. If you don't like it ditch it and find another method. I've never used a remote backup option in the past, but this is so much better than other backup options that are stored at home. You don't have to remember to change out discs or tapes and if there is a fire or flood, your backup is safe and sound in another location.