Well, this needs a little discussion. First choice would probably be your own ISP. Virtually all of them offer a website to their subscribers at no additional cost, (I have 5 because other family members who subscribe to Suscom.net don't use theirs). The free ones offer anywhere from 5 to 50 MB of storage space. 1. You need an ftp program. There are many of those available free also and they're easy to use. I use WS_FTP LE which you can get at downloads/cnet/com. 2. You need the address to the web host which is usually the same as the ISP and is shown on their address bar as HTTP://ispname/~subscriber. In your case it would be HTTP://satx.rr.com/~MaryEllen. You also need a valid password which is the same password you use to access your account. 3. You can upload any file to your website and download it again anytime and no one else can get to it or even see it without your password. 4. If you want others to see it you must upload it in a form that it will display and name the cover page "index.html". PAF-5 will automatically make that file for you to upload. Mine isn't PAF-5 but you can look at it here if you like. http://userweb.suscom.net/~billinn/ I have other files on that website also but no one else can see them because they aren't in the root "/" folder. 5. Here are a few sites that offer free website hosting but there are hundreds of other ones. www.homestead.com/ http://www.bravenet.com/ http://www.jamminweb.com/ http://geocities.yahoo.com/ I'm aware this is off-topic but I feel other members could benefit from it. Regards, Bill -----Original Message----- From: Mary Gagne [mailto:MaryEllen@satx.rr.com] Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 5:35 PM To: PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PAF-5] Backup PAF Files Bill, you mentioned free websites where you send your genealogy information. Can you tell me a little about the sites? How do you get them? How does it work? Is it then open to anyone who wants to look at the information? Mel Bill Linn wrote: >All well and good. I know you've seen me say, "backup, backup, backup" >many times. I have always had 2 hard drives in my computer, (what's the >chance of them both failing at the same time?). That isn't enough. >There is still theft, fire, flood, earthquake, etc. to consider. So >many years of work can go into a tiny genealogical file. When I do >updates I send a copy to a relative, another to a friend, and post one >to a website, (there are many cost free websites available). You have >to ask "what if?". > >Regards Bill > >-----Original Message----- >From: Gary Templeman [mailto:gtempleman1@comcast.net] >Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 12:57 PM >To: PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [PAF-5] Backup PAF Files > > >One very nice program for backups, and is free for non-commerciall use, >is Karen's Replicator, available at www.karenware.com . It will copy >across network drives in addition to drives on the same computer, can >set up multiple jobs, and replicate file deletions as well as changes. >If you get a drive that does NOT come with its own backup program, >Replicator would be a good choice. > >Gary Templeman > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Tom Sevy" <sevy99@mstar2.net> >To: <PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 6:30 AM >Subject: [PAF-5] Backup PAF Files > > > > >>Over the years I have had trouble remembering to backup my PAF data >>files, as well as other files on my Laptop PC including photos and >>other things. >> >> >I > > >>have a CD-RW and used it to make backups, but still I sometimes let a >>long time go between backups with the potential for losing a lot of >>valualable information and work. Then someone suggested having an >>external Hard >> >> >Drive. > > >>It is connected through the USB port and has software that backs up my >> >> > > > >>internal Hard Drive every Friday at 10:00 p.m. or the next time the >> >> >computer > > >>is on after this time. The first time it took about a half hour to >>backup the entire HD. Now, only new files or files that have been >>changed are copied to the external drive which usually takes about 3-4 >> >> > > > >>minutes over my slow USB 2 port. (If I can ever get a PCMCIA USB >>converter to work for >> >> >USB > > >>2, I am told that it would be about 10 times faster.) It is almost >>idiot-proof. If I take my laptop and drop it, or lose it, have it >>stolen, or have my car stolen with the laptop in the trunk, at least I >> >> > > > >>have all of my files. This has given me a FABULOUS feeling of >>security. Cost: about $150. Not inexpensive, but even if my time is >> >> > > > >>worth only a dollar an hour (and I like to think it is worth more than >> >> > > > >>that) it would be cheap at ten times the cost. >> >>FYI: the 300 gig external drive is about 1x3.5x5 inches, so it takes >>up very little space. >> >>Tom Sevy in Taylorsville, Utah >> >> >> >>==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== >>FreeBMD - Free Access to England and Wales Civil Registration Index >>Volunteer as a Transcriber Today! http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/ >> >> >> > > >==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== >PAF-5-USERS Mailing List Archives >http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/PAF-5-USERS/ > > > > >==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== >FreeBMD - Free Access to England and Wales Civil Registration Index >Volunteer as a Transcriber Today! http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/ > > > > ==== PAF-5-USERS Mailing List ==== PAF @ FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service http://www.familysearch.org/eng/paf/

Bill makes a good point about theft, fire, flood, earthquakes, etc. The operative concept is to have AT LEAST one, preferably multiple, off-site copies that are updated regularly. Using a program like Replicator is one way to copy information to another location. If that location is portable, such as an external hard drive or a thumb drive then you have one option for off-site storage. Burning a CD-R or CD-RW is another, slower option. Uploading to other web sites, sending copies to relatives and so on add additional layers of protection. Unfortunately, my experience in working with patrons at our FHC is that the majority of people do not even make floppy backups. An even lower percentage will be committed enough to learn how to use an FTP program for uploading to an online storage site, or to *consistently* send updated backups to relatives, friends, etc. Ideally one would learn how to schedule and automate the uploads to help insure they take place. Making that commitment is important if you consider your data as an irreplaceable resource. Gary Templeman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Linn" <billinn@suscom.net> To: <PAF-5-USERS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 6:33 PM Subject: RE: [PAF-5] Backup PAF Files > Well, this needs a little discussion. First choice would probably be > your own ISP. Virtually all of them offer a website to their subscribers > at no additional cost, (I have 5 because other family members who > subscribe to Suscom.net don't use theirs). The free ones offer anywhere > from 5 to 50 MB of storage space. > > 1. You need an ftp program. There are many of those available free also > and they're easy to use. I use WS_FTP LE which you can get at > downloads/cnet/com. > ><snip>