Backups... How Many...? Just One?

[Fidelis]

I've read a lot posts about diferent backups methods. But my question is: How many backups do you do?
I mean, after your project is done, do you hold just one copy of everything? If you do, you really don't have a backup, justone copy... If something goes wrong with one of yours Cds, DVDs, DATs, Tapes... wharever, no recovery. Does anyone do 2 or more copies? Fidelis [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[john a]

We use mezzo and we make a backup and a copy of the backup ( which is really just a second backup- it is independent of the original except in name).
Of course if you have two backups you are somewhat protected against media failure but not at all against fire or other catastrophe, unless your copies are in a remote location. And if they are you have to go get them if the data changes and the backup needs to be updated....

[snoopy]

Just one copy is an archive, two copies is a backup.

[Mark Haliday]

During work, Mezzo tape and Firewire drive. When 100% finished, Mezzo Tape and CD set (soon DVD [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] I hope).

I try not to keep all the copies in the same place.

[Will Russell]

From a friend's studio bathroom wall:
"Digital information does not truly exist unless it exists in at least two places"
I live by this rule.

[jimlongo]

I don't disagree that backups are important or that they are often underdone, BUT "how many copies of a 2" tape do you keep handy or at remote locations?"

To me the more important consideration is what format are you backing up to, and are you sure you will still be able to access it in 5 or 10 years? Do you keep a reader around just for that purpose, because you may not be able to buy one in the future.

[studiojimi]

so true look at the trouble we had getting those floppy disk drive to authorize MLCD
$50 just to use a software that won't even work without scsi.

i record on internally mounted IDE and back up to firewire sometime even during the session breaks-- at the end i make a cd backup that client takes...on "important" or "memorable" projects, i keep a set for myself.

[Fidelis]

Thanx for your opnion guys... I second that. Keep it safe. Make it two. Fidelis [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]