[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Instantly Back Up Desktop Files and Folders to Your Webmail Account here

[rgreen4]

That's one way to fill up your inbox.

[RickyF]

@rgreen4 You are correct, but it would be simple to create new Gmail, Hotmail/Live or Yahoo email accounts just for this purpose. The new account would only contain the backup copies of your documents and other files. It would serve no other purpose.

[RickyF]

An issue not mentioned in the article is maximum attachment/email size. Most email accounts have a maximum size for an individual email. I believe Gmail's is currently 20Mb. Therefore, one would need to be careful about zipping folders and trying to email them.

[rgreen4]

Thanks, but I don't want my personal files on a Google server or a Yahoo one either for that matter. If your going to do that, it's less of a hassle just to drag and drop your data folder onto a second internal HD or external HD and you have control of it. However, one does have to take the prudent step of storing it somewhere other than the house, in case of a disaster. Backing up that way is easier than trying to upload 200 Gigabytes (my data files), 20 Megabytes at a time. I use two 750 GB drives to do mine.

[RickyF]

I understand your concerns about cloud-based security and privacy. I am not as concerned as you are about this. I keep my money and investments at banks and brokerages without spending an overwhelming amount of time worrying about security and privacy. My files are for the most part less important. I actually use Amazon S3 for online storage and all of my files are encypted with 128bit or 256bit encryption before being uploaded.



Your methods give up the convenience of anywhere and almost anytime access to your cloud-based files.

[rgreen4]

At home I don't need access from anywhere, as every machine in the house can access my NAS. Before I retired, I didn't feel the need to access my personal files at work (didn't have all the apps needed anyway), and when travelling, I can take the files on my flash drive in my pocket. Funny, I can access them even when I can't access the internet.

Sorry, I don't trust cloud computing either - one doesn't always have access to an internet. Even when staying at some hotels, it's not free. Funny, the higher priced hotel, the less likely to have free internet service.

What ever works for you - go for it. It's just not for everyone.

[justrick]

@rgreen: I don't recommend this as a regular backup option, but rather something you use on occasion as a secondary backup for mission-critical files. As for security, I consider Gmail as secure as anyplace else, if not more so.

[elich11]

The 20M limitation is no problem for backup2email this is because it can split the file/files/folders (and also can merge them back).
you can also encrypt the sensitive files you send.
for more information:
http://www.backup2e.com/

Eli (one of the creators of this application)