How to store and protect the library?

[AnnieQuinn]

Hello, I know there may have been many similar questions and have been answered many times. But let me ask again.

I have read a few topics, many people have said that syncing libraries to the cloud (onedrive, gg drive...) is an absolute no-no, because it will easily damage the library.

But if it's not synchronized, I'm afraid that one day the computer suddenly crashes and everything will be lost.

Currently, I am archiving manually: every few days, I copy the library folder to cloud storage, while the original library continues to be used and newly added.

Do you have a more optimal way that you are using and can you share with me?
I'm a reader who's not too good with technology. So please forgive me if my question is not very profound.
Thanks for reading.

[Sirtel]

Keeping a backup copy in a cloud is perfectly ok, as long as it's not Google Drive (incompatible with the library structure). Keeping an active library in a cloud is not recommended.

You can use FreeFileSync (mirror mode only, not two-way) to update your cloud copy. This way there's no need to copy the whole library every time you make changes. FreeFileSync only updates the files that have been changed.

[AnnieQuinn]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Keeping a backup copy in a cloud is perfectly ok, as long as it's not Google Drive (incompatible with the library structure). Keeping an active library in a cloud is not recommended.

You can use FreeFileSync (mirror mode only, not two-way) to update your cloud copy. This way there's no need to copy the whole library every time you make changes. FreeFileSync only updates the files that have been changed.

Thank you very much, I will refer and apply it to my library.

[fogice]

My library is stored in the data section of my Mac, and I back up my computer 3 ways: Carbon Copy Cloner to an attached drive, Time Machine to local network storage, and Backblaze to the cloud. This also gets my photos, music, and data files. Back up everything that would be painful/expensive/impossible to replace.

[AnnieQuinn]

Originally Posted by fogice

My library is stored in the data section of my Mac, and I back up my computer 3 ways: Carbon Copy Cloner to an attached drive, Time Machine to local network storage, and Backblaze to the cloud. This also gets my photos, music, and data files. Back up everything that would be painful/expensive/impossible to replace.

Thank you very much, a very diverse and comprehensive protection

[PeterT]

Just remember; test your restore process... Backups without a working restore are meaningless.

[AnnieQuinn]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Just remember; test your restore process... Backups without a working restore are meaningless.

Thank you for the reminder, I will take note.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Just remember; test your restore process... Backups without a working restore are meaningless.

Though you need a spare disk or spare computer to do that properly.

An offsite HDD is more a backup solution than Clound (even a local one may be). Cloud is really a file sharing system or collaboration than real backup.

[Ealdwulf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

An offsite HDD is more a backup solution than Clound (even a local one may be). Cloud is really a file sharing system or collaboration than real backup.

You nailed that on the head.

Cloud is really just a network storage solution with the feature to sync between it and local storage turned on. Effectively it is just an offsite NAS or SAN. It's just that the NAS/SAN that is used is owned by someone else.

DAS, Tape, or hell even a local NAS is a much better backup solution. Even a second computer works.

I actually have my libraries copies over to my laptop with Calibre and the same plugins installed so I can read on that if I am away from my desktop.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Ealdwulf

You nailed that on the head.

Cloud is really just a network storage solution with the feature to sync between it and local storage turned on. Effectively it is just an offsite NAS or SAN. It's just that the NAS/SAN that is used is owned by someone else.

DAS, Tape, or hell even a local NAS is a much better backup solution. Even a second computer works.

Local NAS or a second computer won't help you in case of fire, flood, earthquake and so on. No offsite backup. Maybe you don't care, but other people do.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Local NAS or a second computer won't help you in case of fire, flood, earthquake and so on. No offsite backup. Maybe you don't care, but other people do.

Yes, Local NAS / second computer is only a partial solution.

Obviously if you live in an area with volcanoes, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires or war your off-site backup needs to be suitably stored and the risks of the so called Cloud are lower than the local neighbour or relative.

We might have a burglar, house fire, lightning strike or a hurricane, but flood, wildfires, wild animals (like bears or racoons), earthquake, volcano or invading armies are unlikely (No fighter aircraft, air defence, early warning radar, warships, tanks, artillery here so obviously invasion preparedness is low on Government priorities).

[Sirtel]

We have a lot of bears and wolves here, but so far they haven't been entering houses.

No real hurricanes, tornadoes, flood, wildfire, earthquakes, volcanoes here either.

House fire is a danger everywhere, of course.

Invading armies were unlikely before, but who knows now.

[Quoth]

Wolves likely aren't an issue (for your data), but I've read about bears and racoons etc trashing people's houses in USA.

Invading armies were unlikely before, but who knows now.

Off grid solar + battery, tinned goods etc getting popular?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Off grid solar + battery, tinned goods etc getting popular?

Nah. Estonia is just too small to successfully hide somewhere and hope you'll be left alone. Many people would probably flee the country, like they did 80 years ago. So far no more people are leaving than usual. Still, even my own younger family members have talked about moving to Scandinavia, because no one can be sure what mad ideas might come from the Kremlin next.

I don't want to leave and will probably stay, even if worst comes to worst. Let's hope not.

[AnnieQuinn]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Keeping a backup copy in a cloud is perfectly ok, as long as it's not Google Drive (incompatible with the library structure). Keeping an active library in a cloud is not recommended.

You can use FreeFileSync (mirror mode only, not two-way) to update your cloud copy. This way there's no need to copy the whole library every time you make changes. FreeFileSync only updates the files that have been changed.

Hi, in this section, should I tick the database or leave it blank? Thank you so much.