Computer saavy folks -- should I renew Carbonite?

[clifffaith]

I'm totally ignorant computer-wise, and Cliff isn't much better. Just got a solicitation from Carbonite (data backup system) to renew now instead of in a few months when my subscription is up and they'll give me two months extra for free. So I started to fill out the renewal, but stopped to write myself a note that when we retire in a couple of years maybe that year I'll sign up for three years and let our business pay for it in its dying gasp.

Then I thought, well what will I have when I'm retired in the way of files that I'll want to have "safe"? I can't think of anything. For that matter I don't think I have anything now that needs backed up. My 25 year old DOS based program that I keep track of job costs on was separated from the internet a couple years ago and sits on a separate hard drive. My client data base and appointment system was transferred to one of my vendor's business programs 8 years ago and I pay $50/month for them to handle/house my data. I do have some photo files, but basically if the photos weren't worth printing there is nothing I couldn't stand to lose.

So please tell me, why would I want to renew my Carbonite subscription at all?

 

[SMHarman]

Carbonite takes it off site.

Sounds like your business already is.

Photo albums and digital, are they on the same property. If so having an off-site backup could be worth it, however Google or Amazon or shutterfly or a multitude of other locations can host those for you.

 

[NKN]

Alternate point of view.....we also have Carbonite. We had to do a complete re-file when our computer crashed. It worked for us. I do genealogy and have a ton of photos. I'll keep it.

But if you have nothing that you wouldn't mind losing, don't bother.

Nkn

 

[clifffaith]

Nothing like dealing with a tech company with a crappy website. When I try to go in to at least stop the auto renewal (which may not work anyway since card expiration just changed) the screen locks up. Interesting too that they only show Cliff's office laptop on their auto renew list, yet the email I received specifically called out my computer. Big sigh.