How to properly backup

Question

Does anyone have a simple way to backup all of their data? I always have several projects going on at once eac with several folders with many many different files. So I'm having to keep track of much more than just movie, render, and project files. I have after effects file with renders, photoshop, stills, music, and a myriad of other things.
It would take too much time for me to make 2 copies of each file that I save and it would be really difficult to pick and choose files to back up at the end of the day.
Just wondering if someone has a solution to this issue.
Message was edited by: budakhan

Answer 1

Well, without knowing exactly what level of organization (file/folder structure) is already in place, I'll quickly describe how I keep things structured. Then, I'll give you a potential backup strategy.
First, I have a folder called "Final Cut Projects" - inside that is a folder for each individual project. Then inside that I have a folder that holds nothing but the actual FCP project files. Then I'll have ONE folder for AE Projects, then ONE folder for .PSD's, then one for any Illustrator stuff, then one for Audio, etc. (However, with audio - you may end up needing to put it on faster drives...it all depends) But you get the idea, I'm sure. (BTW, I put AE renders in a separate folder inside the Capture Scratch folder for the project in question.)
Then as far as backing up - I'd consider some System Syncing software. As an example, I use ChronoSync to keep my laptop and desktop in lock step. Although my use of it is slightly different for what we're discussing, it would be a great option!
You can set up backups once and then schedule them to occur later and not have to set it up daily and/or manually move a bunch of stuff from "here to there". You could have a destination folder for backups. (In ChronoSync) you would drag the working FCP Project folder to one of ChronoSync's windows then drag the destination folder to the "other" window in ChronoSync. You set up the direction of the file movement - Left-to-Right, Right-to-Left, or "Bi-Directional". You save out this setup as a ChronoSync file for later use. But better yet, you could schedule this to happen whenever and as often as you like. The cool thing is - it only writes new items to the destination folder. So you don't waste time copying a bunch of stuff that's already there and unaltered since the last file copy session.
Again, this is just an example. But some form of syncing software could automate a lot of what you're hoping to accomplish. Just have to make sure your file/folders structures are solid and not completely haphazard. Then once you properly setup the first sync - you're basically done.
Hope this idea helps. There are tons of sync software out there.
Message was edited by: Kevin Brock