@Len – thanks for the info and update on Carbonite for Macs.

@Hugh – imap is great to keep everything sync’d, isn’t it? – I didn’t quite realise it did it so efficiently until I noticed a few additional folders in my gmail window and wondered how they go there!!!

I currently use that combo and my ipod to access email. With imap, it’s great because everything syncs together whenever I go online (especially handy on my ipod when there’s no internet connection, just to check some email).

Great article. Regarding Carbonite for the Mac, we’re looking at May for a release date, although that’s not cast in stone. Folks interesting in signing up for the beta can write to beta@carbonite.com with “Mac Beta” in the subject line to be added to the list of beta test candidates.

You made a great point about dual backup options. There are advantages to having a local backup since restoring will go faster than it will over the Internet, whereas the online backup protects you in case of theft, malfunction of the external drive, and the fact that your external backup might not be as up-to-date as your automatic online backup. You (and your readers) can never play it “too safe” when it comes to backups, as you know. Ayer’s Corrollary states that the importance of a data file is inversely proportionate to the age of the last backup. The more important a file is, the less likely it is you’ve backed it up recently! Always good to have multiple backup options in case a need ever arises to restore.

Sincerely,

Len Pallazola
Manager, Customer Service Systems
Carbonite, Inc.
http://www.carbonite.com