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Tech Talk Tuesday is a new feature on The Zen Introvert. March’s theme is backing up your website, home computer, and your individual posts.
Backups Can Be Your Best Friend.
Backups will increase your comfort level with your computer. Knowing that your web host and your computer have your back definitely brings peace of mind.
[/media-credit] Portable backup media
Backing up your data is a guarantee that if an error occurs, you can recover from it without too much hassle. Knowing what days and times of the week your backups run also allows you to update plugins, themes or even WordPress without that fear of pushing the install button.
My Background
At one time I was being responsible for the backup and restore functions at a couple of large companies in the Denver area. I had responsibility for the computers that ran the companies internal functions and the external eCommerce websites. I got a clear look at the value of backing up company data. Accidents happen, but that doesn’t mean we need to be constantly afraid of making one and losing files and sleep.
Best Practices
In the computer world, a best practice is defined as: “commercial or professional procedures that are accepted or prescribed as being correct or most effective.” That definition covers blogging and online sales websites perfectly.
Since I was a backup and restore administrator, I tend to build redundancy into my best practices.
Backups should be performed not only on your website but on your home computer as well.
- Website – Full backups. This function is most likely offered free by your web host.
- Posts – I recommend either copying the post contents to an MSWord or Google Doc after you’ve completed it or writing it in a third party application like Airstory. Airstory is free and has the ability to upload content to WordPress as well as download them to HTML, email or Microsoft Word.
- Home computer(s) –
- System Image – (Windows only) If your operating system is XP or above there should be a function built in to do a full system image. This means that if your computer dies completely, you can take the system image and transfer it to another machine.
- Repair Disk – (Windows only) If part of your system becomes corrupt, having a repair disk can come in handy. There is also a function on the computer to do this.
- Optins and blog related files on your home computer.
- Windows has a utility that does backups on whatever schedule you want them to back up.
- I also upload a copy to Google Drive. It keeps my files accessible no matter what computer I’m on.
Peace of Mind
Having this type of coverage on your intellectual property will give you peace of mind. In the following weeks, we will be going more in-depth on how to do each kind of backup.
Stay Tuned for Next week’s Tech Tip – Demystifying backups on the Cpanel of your website.
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