I’m always looking for new (and easier) ways to make backup copies of my data. And if you aren’t, you’d better start. All it takes is one catastrophe for years of your data to go poof. Un-fun times.

My backup strategy has ranged from making cloned copies of my drive, to using Apple’s Time Machine software and their Time Capsule hardware, to backing up files on DVDs. All are good, but just as in real estate, it’s all about LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

Often, the problem is that all of our backups are stored in the same location. This exposes the data to the possibility of fire or theft. Even with the best backup strategy, data stored in the same location offers as much insurance as not having any backups– and that’s pretty nill.

If you have a fire-proof safe, that’s better, if you can store copies of your data offsite, that’s better still, but if could effortlessly and securely backup your data online, well that is the holy grail. Thankfully, there are many options for the latter storage option.

Remote solutions that I’ve tried are backing up to my web server (FTP), Carbonite, Mobile Me, and Amazon’s S3 service. And now… a few words on each. Later in the article, look for the special feature “Carbonite Support Chat.”

Web Server

Since a lot of people have web sites today, chances are they have storage available with a web host. Actually, this form of backup is pretty cheap, as you can often get like 50 gigs of storage space for only a few bucks per month, often with unlimited transfer or a number so high it’s essentially unlimited. The downside is that the interface is usually a bland FTP application (unless you are a Mac user and have Transmit). Usually you are restricted to just manually dragging and dropping data from the local and remote locations. Not the most intuitive backup solution, but at least it is a solution.

One caveat is that if the web host goes down and you never hear from them again, you lose all your data. Also, this isn’t a secure method, since anyone on “their” side can access your data unless you encrypt it, which kinda kills the concept of “easy backup.” If it’s all you got, it’s all you need.

Mobile Me

This seemed like a great way for me to backup my files, as I’m already a Mobile Me customer and I have all the necessary software to make this happen. The problem is that Apple limits you to 20 GB of storage and you have to pay for additional storage. For an additional 40 GB, it’s $49.00/year on top of the $99/year you are paying for the Mobile Me service. For me, this is too cost prohibitive, especially if I want to backup all of my data, music, and movies. (for $50.00, Carbonite gives you unlimited storage)

The Backup app that Apple offers is lacking, and simply backs up the files in increments and in bundles, so you have to jump through hoops to get to the actual files. I have around 19 GB of free space, but I don’t use it as I’m not happy with the way Apple has implemented file backup. I don’t want to save everything, I just want to sync my drive. I need to look for alternatives which allow backup clients to access my iDisk space, in a consistent and intuitive manner.

Amazon S3

I’ve heard about S3 for a while and recently tried it. You pay no monthly fees except $0.15/GB of storage per month, as well as transfer fees. Sounds good, but I tried uploading, and some Mac files, like my iPhoto Library, had issues. To S3, it just looked as one big folder and didn’t even copy all the files. There are some Mac front-ends but they charge you an additional fee for using their software/service. I only tried it for about 15 minutes and it didn’t meet my needs. It’s good for straight storage of files, and it’s a step up from storage with your web host.

Carbonite

Of all the solutions I’ve mentioned so far, this seemed like the best for me. It can backup files in the background, will check for new file versions, will save a backup copy of your files for 30 days even after you delete them on your computer, and runs from within the System Preferences. Restoring files is a snap and you can always see exactly what you have backed up. It’s still in version 1.0, but this looks very promising.

Carbonite has no storage limits, except it doesn’t by default backup video files. You have to manually set the location of the video files. If you have video strewn about your computer, this may be a turn-off. But if you keep them in your Movies folder (like you should), it shouldn’t be a problem. For me, however, I have videos within my web site file backups, so those aren’t backed up by Carbonite as I have them stored across the site. But I have those backed up on my computer, with the web host, and on an external drive. Plus, those are not the most important video files I have.

There is one HUGE downside I’ve discovered, and after searching the web, I’m not alone. Carbonite, when not doing anything and in it’s idle state, uses a heavy load of CPU cycles. For me, this is between 70% and 80%. CPU cycles peak at around 94%. My fans blaze and my MacBook Pro glows like a ceramic heater. If I’m running any other apps that use any amount of the CPU, my computer slows. If I’m running Photoshop, it’s like death.

My trial is over in a few days, and this may be a deal-breaker for me. I’ve contacted tech support via the in-app support area, but not have heard back. I did a chat today with a rep and he told me to submit another request. He was moderately helpful, but did suggest I just turn it off when not using the backup. This defeats the purpose of having an automatic, autonomous, real-time backup solution with no muss or fuss. I am very diligent when it comes to backing up, so I may have to live with this while it’s being worked out.

Carbonite Support Chat

10:49:58 AM EDT System
Ken has joined this session!

10:49:58 AM EDT System
Connected with Ken

10:50:03 AM EDT System
Hello and thank you for using Customer Support Live Chat! How may I assist you today?

10:51:20 AM EDT Bryan
I am using the Mac trial version of Carbonite. So far it works great. The only problem I am having is that when it’s in “wait and see mode” looking for files to backup, it’s uses like 80-90% of my CPU processes. In looking at Activity Monitor, when doing nothing, it is a CPU hog. I often have to pause it as my MacBook Pro really heats up and the fans come on very strong. Is this a known problem?

10:52:26 AM EDT Bryan
Also, when you open the Carbonite Preferences, when it’s not backing up anything, it always says “Backup In Progress,” and shows the blue progress bar, which is a bit misleading as nothing is being backed up at the time.

10:52:58 AM EDT Ken
Please let me review your account.

10:53:30 AM EDT Bryan
CarboniteDaemon is using 80-90% of CPU

10:54:03 AM EDT Ken
I apologize for the inconvenience.

10:54:58 AM EDT Ken
If it is using high CPU. You can just disable Carbonite when you are using your computer. Enable Carbonite when not in use.

10:55:37 AM EDT Bryan
I know you can do that, but that gets annoying after a while, and kind of defeats the purpose of having your files backed up instantly.

10:56:06 AM EDT Bryan
I can see if it’s using the CPU while backing up, but when it’s just idle, that’s when I’m getting high CPU usage. CPU cycles are actually lower when it is doing soemthing.

10:57:43 AM EDT Bryan
As it is, MacBook Pro users can’t keep this program running without pausing it due to heat issues. That seems to be a problem with Carbonite, in that it is using a disproportionate amount of CPU resources vs other applications.

10:58:38 AM EDT Bryan
I would like to keep this software once my trial is over, but I’m afraid I’m not going to pay for it due to these CPU issues. I want my files constantly backed up but not at the expense of my CPU and usability due to other programs running very slow.

10:59:17 AM EDT Bryan
So if you could file a bug report, or something along that line, and make note of the high CPU usage, if this gets resolved, I would consider looking again at Carbonite.

10:59:17 AM EDT Ken
Please allow me a moment.

10:59:31 AM EDT Bryan
ok

11:04:58 AM EDT Ken
I appreciate your patience.

11:05:06 AM EDT Ken
Please wait and let me confirm.

11:05:07 AM EDT Bryan
it’s no problem

11:06:21 AM EDT Bryan
I just found this on another site “I’ve found the Carbonite daemon to be a resource hog, even when I’m fully backed up and nothing is being uploaded. My fan started to run constantly and my system performance slowed down so I checked Activity Monitor and the Carbonite daemon was varying between 20-70% CPU usage.
Unacceptable.”

11:06:21 AM EDT Ken
To better assist you we need your log files.

11:07:02 AM EDT Bryan
That’s the problem I have… ^^

11:07:03 AM EDT Ken
I am sending you an email.

11:07:13 AM EDT Ken
Please reply to the email.

11:07:19 AM EDT Bryan
Ok

11:08:58 AM EDT Ken
Once we review the log files we will answer you.

11:09:05 AM EDT Bryan
When shall I expect the email

11:09:13 AM EDT Ken
Is there anything else I may assist you with?

11:09:13 AM EDT Bryan
just got it.

11:09:48 AM EDT Bryan
Actually, I did submit a request via the Carbonite Preference window, but I didn’t hear back from anyone

11:09:59 AM EDT Bryan
I’ll do it again though

11:10:13 AM EDT Bryan
Thanks for the help, that will be all.

11:10:48 AM EDT Ken
Welcome Bryan.

11:10:58 AM EDT Ken
Is there anything else I may assist you with?

11:11:04 AM EDT Bryan
that will be all

11:11:20 AM EDT System
The session has ended!