Backup and Archive: A wrapup

I couldn't drop the archive/backup topic until I found a reasonable candidate application to solve the archive problem.

Quick review: The archive problem arises when you want to put some files in safe storage, and then delete them from your local disk. A backup service like Mozy only promises to save files that you keep on your hard disk. In the case of Mozy, they guarantee that a file will hang around for 30 days after you delete it locally.

I went on what I regard as a wild goose chase with a program called MediaMax, that was both confusing and buggy, in my experience. (You should always make your own judgments about my conclusions. Their website is here. )

I finally zeroed in on a very similar program/service called IDrive-E, because it solves the archive problem, and in other ways is very similar to Mozy. You can watch a spanking new Guide on IDrive-E here.

As you will see, my basic conclusion -- that IDrive-E offers similar functionality to Mozy, plus having archive capability -- is tempered by some concerns about user interface, bugs, and sales tactics. You decide...

So, I'm moving on to new territory. I have some ideas about what comes next, but speak up about what you want me to do: Vote here to help me decide the future course I will take.