Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, Internet Tools
CrashPlan: Cross-Platform Off-Site Backup
CrashPlan is a cross-platform, off-site backup solution. Basically, their software allows you to schedule remote backups to a separate server. What makes Crashplan different, however, is that the offsite server is a machine you choose. So for instance, if you have two computers you can set one to back up to the other. But even better, if you have access to an internet connected computer at another location (e.g. at work or even a friend's computer), you can install CrashPlan on that computer and then use it as a backup option (over the internet). Since the software runs on Windows and Linux as well as OS X, the off-site machine can be running any of these OSes.
CrashPlan comes in two editions: the regular one allows backup once a day for $20 and the Pro version allows "real-time backup + unlimited versioning" for $60. Unfortunately, from what I can determine from their FAQ, it appears that one license only allows you to backup on one direction. So if you want to backup two computers to each other, you must buy two licenses. Nonetheless, this looks like an interesting option, particularly given its cross-platform functionality.
[Via theappleblog]
[Edit: Corrected the pricing]
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brock Batsell said 7:49PM on 1-15-2007
I can't figure out how to get the Pro version for $20 — is that special over or only available at their MacWorld booth, or what? Any ideas? Thanks!
Reply
Mat Lu said 7:55PM on 1-15-2007
Sorry, it looks like they already took down the special.
Reply
Julian Bennett Holmes said 8:37PM on 1-15-2007
Yeah, that was only for macworld.
Sorry.
Reply
k said 9:55AM on 1-16-2007
I wish they'd explain more about the features and, more to the point, the differences between PRO and standard editions.
What do they mean by "Real Time"? That I can initiate the backup right now?
Unlimited versioning... is the standard edition going to give up after a couple of weeks? Without explaining how they handle versioning, I can't make any kind of informed decision about whether I'd need it to be unlimited.
I'm really put off by companies who don't provide a clear explanation of the distinctions between their normal and PRO versions... it strikes me as deliberate obfuscation in the hopes that people will buy the PRO version, to be safe.
That being said, I like this idea and it seems like they've done a good job, so I'm definitely considering it... I just wish I had more information on which to base my decision.
Reply
Ahbe said 12:24PM on 1-16-2007
For what it's worth, I took a chance and purchased the pro version over the weekend while it was free. It's a bit slow to compress and encrypt 60GB of data, even over a local network. Still, it works great. As far as the company, I have been very impressed. I emailed their tech support twice, and got replies in only a few hours. I asked about the price for CrashPlan Central, and not only did they reply promptly, the updated the FAQ to include that information. Yes, the FAQ is a bit vague right now. Email them, I'm sure they will answer all your questions quickly. It's a new product and a new website. Give it time. All in all I am really impressed with CrashPlan. It's my new backup solution. Try out the free 30 day trial for yourself.
Reply
Sarah Johnson said 6:19PM on 1-16-2007
I work for Code 42 Software, the company that developed CrashPlan, we're still in transition and lacking some important information on the website. To answer "k"s questions:
The pro version backs you up throughout the day as you modify and create files, instead of just once a day. If there was a problem, this feature could save you a days worth of work. Versioning means that CrashPlan stores different versions of your files, so that you can go back in time and restore a version of a file from a different day. Handy if you've accidently deleted a file or a file has been corrupted. With versioning, only the file changes are stored, the whole file isn't copied over & over to the backup destination every time it is modified.
We're adding to the Support/FAQ section all the time.
Reply
k said 5:24PM on 1-23-2007
Sarah,
Thanks for replying... I'll definitely have to consider the Pro version, now that I understand a bit more.
Although I wonder about the extent to which that feature will be obviated by Leopard's TimeMachine functionality. It'd be unfortunate for y'all, of course, if that happens. Still for the time being, I believe I and a colleague will be trying out the basic version for cross-country reciprocal backups...
Keep up the good work and thanks again for the reply!
-k
Reply