| Frequently
Asked Questions |
Q.
What is dataBASE? (return
to questions)
A.
|
dataBASE
is an Internet backup provider.
We have computers on the Internet
ready to accept your computer
files for storage and archiving.
Backing up your files over the
Internet offers a high level of
protection because if anything
were to happen with your computer
- even you entire building - you
can safely recover your important
files from our computer systems.
The technical term for Internet
backups is 'Geographical Dispersal
of Data'. They key term is
geographical because that
means your backed up files are
not located in your vicinity and
even if a large scale disaster
occurs, your files will be safe. |
|
Q.
How does it work?
(return to questions)
| A.
|
In
basic terms, the person installs
software onto their Windows
computer. They will choose which
files and/or folders are important
to them, and set a schedule
to inform the program how often
they will be backed up. When
the scheduled time arrives, the
program will connect to our
service over the Internet and
negotiate a secure line. After
that, the program will attempt
to compress your files to save
space and send them one by one
to our systems.
During
file recovery (ie. you've had
a disaster and need the files
back), all of the steps above
apply, except that instead of
sending us your compressed files,
the files are sent to your computer
and uncompressed by the program
and put into a specified folder,
ready for use!
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|
Q.
How much does it cost?
(return to questions)
|
Q.
Will my files be secure?
(return to questions)
| A.
|
All
files backed up to our systems
are secured with 448-bit 'Blowfish'
encryption by default. This
is the strongest encryption
available to the public sector,
and is far more
difficult to crack than what
most webstores and banks use
for their online transactions
(usually 128-bit encryption).
Your files are stored on our
systems in the same strength
of encryption as they were transferred.
As well, the servers that store
your information in our data
warehouses are kept secured
and only authorized personnel
are allowed access.
If security of your files is
paramount, and you do not want
even us to be able to recover
your files for you should you
forget or lose your 'Secret
Key,' there is an option available
in the software to disallow
a backup if we have access to
your data with the 'Master key.'
Please
note, if you do forget or lose
your Secret Key, you will NEVER
be able to recover your
files, and neither will we.
You will need to remove all
files in your account and start
with a fresh slate of backups.
|
|
Q.
How long will it take to back up my
files?
(return to questions)
| A.
|
This
is a difficult question to answer
because there are many factors
affecting speed of transfer.
However, most customers experience
a lengthy first backup
and much faster concurrent backups.
This is due to the fact the
software will need to send the
entire file during the first
backup, or when a new file is
added, but subsequent backups
will only send the difference
in the files from the first
time it was backed up.
As
an example, say you save a picture
to your computer taken with
your digital camera. Later that
night when the backup sends
that new picture to us, it may
take a while. The next night
if no changes are made then
nothing is sent to our systems.
The third day you decide to
edit the photo and draw a hat
and moustache on one of the
people. That same night the
software will detect a change
in the picture but it will only
send the hat and moustache information
to our systems, which will likely
take very little time compared
to sending the entire picture
file again.
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|
Q.
How do I sign up?
(return to questions)
|
Q.
What files should I back up?
(return to questions)
| A.
|
This
is a rather personal choice,
but here is the best suggestion
we can offer:
Anything
that you use or need that would
be difficult or impossible to
reproduce.
Below
are more specific examples.
|
Personal
|
|
Business
|
- Pictures
- Addressbooks
- Internet
Favorites/Bookmarks
- Music
- Movies
- e-Mails
- Tax
information from software
packages
- Graphic
artwork
- Word
or Spreadsheet documents
(ie. resumes, school
work, etc)
- ...and
much more
|
|
- e-Mails
- Word
and Spreadsheet documents
- Sales
information
- Business
Memos/Statements
- Customer
information
- Accounting
or bookkeeping files
- Inventory
- Addressbooks
- Internet
Favorites/Bookmarks
- Employee
records
- Security
logs
- Copyrighted
/ Trademarked original
files
- ...and
much more
|
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|
Q.
I have dial-up Internet. Can I still
back up my files?
(return to questions)
| A.
|
Absolutely!
In fact, you can have the software
dial-up to the Internet for you
during its scheduled time (even
if you aren't around), back up
your files, and disconnect for
you when complete. |
|
Q.
Can I back up my Mac computer files?
(return to questions)
| A.
|
The
answer is maybe.
You cannot install the software
on a Mac machine, BUT if
your Mac is on a computer network
with a PC, you can install the
software on the PC. You then need
to set up a shared folder on the
Mac so that the PC can access
those files. Next, set up the
software to back up that shared
network folder. An advantage to
this will save you from having
to pay for a second computer fee
($8.95/month), and applies to
any subscriber backing up any
number of shared folders on their
network. |
|
Q.
Can I share my backed up files with
others?
(return to questions)
| A.
|
You
will be able to recover or share
any files on your account as long
as the software has been installed
on the other computer and it has
been set up with the correct username
and password and Secret Key (if
applicable). |
|
Q.
How often can I run a backup?
(return to questions)
| A.
|
As
often as you like. Weekly, daily,
multiple times during any day,
etc. |
|
Q.
How do I back up files that are 'in
use' or 'open?'
(return to questions)
| A.
|
The
biggest concern for this would
be database files (not to be
confused with our dataBASE
service), or shared files in
a workplace environment, but
can sometimes apply to files
that you might be working on
but not saved.
In
any case of needing to save
'open' or 'in use' files you
will need an 'open file manager.'
We offer an Open File Manager
that works exclusively and perfectly
with the software we distribute.
Please see the price
schedule for updated pricing.
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