Storage/ back-up plan.

[Tapeman]

I am thinking that I would like to get two 500 (for now) gig external drives and every two weeks rotate them between on site and off site storage.

I will only download and back-up before exchanging units.

Does this seem like a doable and reasonable way to back-up my computer (mostly photos)?

Is there a software program that suits this plan?

Thanks

[sOid]

If you're using windows, I'd reccomend SyncBack from 2BrightSparks to do the backups. Works perfectly and I think it's freeware.

This is my plan to do backups:
Local: Backup to an external harddrive (WesternDigitial EssentialEdition 500GB) connected to a Linksys Network Storage Link ( http://www-nl.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=NL%2FLayout&cid=1148435404433&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=0443374557B44 ) which is connected to your router.

Off-site storage: Same setup, just place it in a friends house.

Great thing about the Linksys Network Storage Link is that it's running on Linux and thus able of running self-written scripts. I think it's fairly easy to write a script which uploads the data of your 'Local external HDD' to the one at another place.

Sure, it takes a while to upload 2gb in RAW's or so and you'll need an internet provider who doesn't charge extra for uploading or downloading alot of data, but once it's setup you wont have to worry about it :)

[rklepper]

I have 2 750 GB eSATA drives that I do the same thing with. One is offsite and the other on. I switch every Friday. I do a complete backup of all important files on Sat AM and then incremental backups all week. Works great.

[rklepper]

Oh and I use Windows Live OneCare. Suits my purposes from several standpoints.

[PBest78]

I'd like to second the recommendation for Syncback, its an excellent program and can be found here (http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware) :)

PB

[Familiaphoto]

I use a Microsoft's SyncToy which works great. I have my PC sync to a NAS device daily. The NAS then backs itself up to a 500gb USB drive once per week. Works really well.