asysin2leads wrote in post #11882270
This is the way I'm going. Besides, I hate to tell y'all this, but if you're relying in Exposure Manager, Zenfolio, SmugMug, et al as a back-up service, I think you will become painfully aware that they shouldn't be. If you solely want an online back-up service, look into Carbonite. It will be the best $55 you'll ever spend. I have invested in a few Western Digital MyBook network hard drives.
I really do like Exposure Manager, it's by far my first choice for selling prints if I had to use a third party - NOT backup. First off, they tell you the easiest way to work is uploading smaller files and they're right. Smuggie I hear is better for it because they actually have a service for online backup (if anyone uses it you can explain), but with EM you have to download one image at a time - so if that's your backup you have to to THOUSANDS of images and download them one at a time, can you say insane? I've heard of other places similar to Carbonite that are like that to, but not sure if they are (?).
Also heard places like Carbonite will boot you if they think you're abusing the system, i.e. too much storage on unlimited storage - which is confusing, but heard it third person so not sure it's true or what the deal is with it.
The absolute best service for online backup I've found is PhotoShelter - BUT, can you say expensive? I'm way over 1TB of storage needed, not sure how some guys pay for several TB's of storage unless they're getting a discount - there's a few with ALL images online, full size RAW TIFF's. I say the best because not only is the download of your entire gallery easy - but you can have it fully searchable and online while it's being backed up. Personally though, I only use it for edited files...maybe someday will have it all up after I win the lottery - but I keep forgetting to play.
I have Drobo and Western Digital 2TB hard drives, two systems - one is traveling with me right now and the other is home. So right now I'll have two copies on the drobo and laptop (which is with me at games) until I get to back them up on the second system. I don't even feel safe with 2 systems in separate locations, a good online system would be great - but it has to fit right.