CDR-DVD-or tape

[Michael Proctor]

I would like to get your opinions on which media type is better for
backups. All help is most appreciated!

 

[Noozer]

I would like to get your opinions on which media type is better for
backups. All help is most appreciated!

In this order, from best to worst:

- Hard drive
- DVD-R
- CD-R
- Tape
- DVD-RW
- CD-RW
- Floppies
- Pen and paper

 

[Rod Speed]

I would like to get your opinions on which media type is better for backups. All help
is most appreciated!

Tape is way past its useby date for personal desktop systems.

DVD-RAM is technically better, but you can make a case for multiple
copys and DVD-RW instead except for long term archiving.

 

[Rod Speed]

In this order, from best to worst:

- Hard drive
- DVD-R
- CD-R

- Tape
- DVD-RW
- CD-RW

Those 3 are mindlessly simplistically ordered.

And you left off DVD-RAM too.

 

[Noozer]

Those 3 are mindlessly simplistically ordered.

And you left off DVD-RAM too.

Actually, I meant DVD-R to be any record once DVD type media.CD-R would be
just as reliable, but limited by space.

As far as making backups go, I rate tape poorly because of the cost of a
reliable tape backup system. CDRW and DVDRW are just not very reliable.

 

[kony]

I would like to get your opinions on which media type is better for
backups. All help is most appreciated!

backups of what? how important is:

Size
Frequency (of the backup event)
Accessiblity
Transportability
Cost
Durability


Generally speaking, if you can fit everything on a flash
thumbdrive, do so. If you can fit everything on a CDR,
there's another low cost option, but don't rely on only one
backup and/or brand of optical media for long term storage
as you may not realize it is going bad until (it has). If
the time to do the backup is paramount, do it to HDD, but
make offline copies on a more durable media too at certain
intervals.

 

[Rod Speed]

Actually, I meant DVD-R to be any record once DVD type media.

Still mindless, DVD-RAM should be above tape with personal desktop systems.

CD-R would be just as reliable, but limited by space.

As far as making backups go, I rate tape poorly because of the cost of a reliable tape
backup system. CDRW and DVDRW are just not very reliable.

Depends on what you do backup frequency wise.
They may well be plenty reliable enough if they
are done with a proper write check etc.

 

[Noozer]

Still mindless, DVD-RAM should be above tape with personal desktop
systems.

I don't know about the reliability of DVD-RAM media. I can't say I've ever
had any luck with any form of CD based rewriteable media - multiple brands,
multiple recorders, multiple OS's.

Depends on what you do backup frequency wise.
They may well be plenty reliable enough if they
are done with a proper write check etc.

This is true... And I forgot about flash memory, which I'd put right below
HDD (or above where small amounts of data are concerned.)

 

[paulmd]

I would like to get your opinions on which media type is better for
backups. All help is most appreciated!

I would perfer to avoid tapes if you can, they're vulerable to
strecthing with use. Plus tapes are harder to obtain replacements of.

If you want a good backup, a second hard drive will last longer. And
cost less. But they are vunerable to mechanical and electrical failure.
If your data is going to be subject to freqent changes, this is ideal.

A DVD-R is a good method for A respectable amound of static data, for
example that family photo collection that took a month to scan, but
isn't exactly changing. DVD-Rs, and the drives are inexpensive, A DVD,
if stored properly will last a good long time. DVD drives and media
will be AROUND 10 years from now. Which is a plus.

 

[Rod Speed]

I don't know about the reliability of DVD-RAM media.

Then your list is useless.

I can't say I've ever had any luck with any form of CD based rewriteable media -
multiple brands, multiple recorders, multiple OS's.

I use both CDRW and DVDRW all the time,
mostly not for backup, and the reliability is fine.

And thats in a situation where I'd notice a problem.

This is true... And I forgot about flash memory, which I'd put right
below HDD (or above where small amounts of data are concerned.)

Yeah, the other problem with your list is that you cant have
the same order when the volume is radically different.

Then there's the speed question and the question of duplicates.
Clearly HDDs leave the rest for dead speed wise with substantial
volume and where you choose to have more than one copy for
the ultimate in reliability. The main downside is that they dont
like being dropped, but thats easily avoided.

 

[Michael Proctor]

I would like to get your opinions on which media type is better for
backups. All help is most appreciated!

Thank you all so much! I appreciate it!

 

[Frank Booth Snr]

In this order, from best to worst:

- Hard drive
- DVD-R
- CD-R
- Tape
- DVD-RW
- CD-RW
- Floppies
- Pen and paper

CD-R is fine for backing up music, but is not much good for backing up
data. You just end up wasting a CD with data that you may have modified.
I always use CD-RW for data backups.

 

[Frank Booth Snr]

I don't know about the reliability of DVD-RAM media. I can't say I've ever
had any luck with any form of CD based rewriteable media - multiple brands,
multiple recorders, multiple OS's.

Must be your burner that's the problem. I've not had any trouble
recording to CD-RW, with my current burner, but I did have a problem
using the same media with an older burner.

 

[Jon Danniken]

In this order, from best to worst:

- Hard drive
- DVD-R
- CD-R
- Tape
- DVD-RW
- CD-RW
- Floppies
- Pen and paper

Um - you forgot punchcards.

Jon

 

[kony]

Um - you forgot punchcards.

.... and smoke signals, beads, and cave paintings.