Backblaze beta launches for Mac: We have invites!
Update 4:Backblaze worked out the registration server issues and is now taking more users for the beta! If you already downloaded the program and had problems logging in, try again. If you want to try it out, visit http://www.backblaze.com/tuaw_mac to sign up!
/update
Backup your data. It's the one piece of tech advice that just can't be given enough. Backup your data. At this point, I think most computer users know that it is important to backup. Mac users running Leopard have it even easier, thanks to Time Machine and devices like the Time Capsule. Still, for whatever reason, there are plenty of people, smart people (though we hear Scott is finally backing up properly now) -- who don't have an adequate backup solution. If the geeks can't do it, how can we expect our parents to?
This is why online backup systems are so intriguing. With internet access being pretty much ubiquitous and getting faster and faster and data storage getting so cheap, it makes sense to consider backing up to the cloud. Not only does it free you from having to be connected to a hard drive, in the event of a true data disaster, the data is someplace else. As someone who backs up her backup drives, this is an enticing possibility.
Today, Backblaze, who has already had a subscription backup service available for Windows users (see Download Squad's take) is launching a private beta for its Mac backup service. For $5 a month (or $50 a year), you get unlimited backup space. And unlimited is really unlimited. I asked Gleb Budman, the co-founder and CEO of Backblaze, and he assured me that there are no arbitrary data limits.
Although the service is in private beta, Backblaze was nice enough to give TUAW readers 300 invites so that you can try out the service for yourself. Just go to http://www.backblaze.com/tuaw_mac and you can try the service for free for two weeks. If you decide you like it, it's $5 a month (or $50 a year).
Read on for more details about the service and my take on it as a backup strategy...
Online backup systems for the Mac already exist -- Mozy and Crash Plan for example. Backblaze is a bit different, because it is designed by default to be used without configuration. Instead of having to manually choose what types of files or what specific folders you want to backup, Backblaze will just back everything up -- with the exception of your OS and your applications. You can add exceptions and limit what is backed up by playing with the preferences, but by default, Backblaze is set to back everything up.
Configuration
Setting Backblaze up is dead simple. You just install the program (by default it will run in the background, though you can change this), enter in your e-mail address and password, and it will start backing up your files. The default setting has Backblaze running any time it finds an available internet conenction. The backup process is constant and Backblaze stores multiple versions of a file for 30 days (so if you are frequently changing a document or spreadsheet, 30 days worth of revisions are saved to Backblaze).
If you want more control over how Backblaze runs and what it backs up, you can access those settings in System Preferences where Backblaze has an entry. Here, you can choose to only run Backblaze when you decide; once a day, or continuously. You can also adjust the throttle of the backup speed. In exclusions, you can add folders or file types to the exclusion list. The base Backblaze exclusion list for file types and folders cannot be changed -- and while I'd say 95% of users won't need to backup these files or folders, this is something for power users to be aware of.
One nice thing is that the individual user Library folder is not excluded from backup. While I use Time Machine, I find it much more effective for my purposes to just backup my user folder when I need to reformat my system. Backblaze backs up the user library. The maximum file size is 4 GB, though you can lower this if you want to exclude really large files from your backups.
You can also backup connected external drives. Networked drive support isn't available right now (though they are working on it), but you can add external drives to your backup preferences either when you start to configure Backblaze or later on in System Preferences. This is really nice if you always have a USB or Firewire drive connected to your Mac.
Speed/Security
I found Backblaze to be pretty fast, though I went ahead and upped the default throttle settings a bit to do faster uploads. I didn't notice any major hindrance to my download speeds or regular web access, though pausing the service while downloading or sending a large file or streaming video might be a good idea, depending on your connection.
By default, all uploads are encrypted using AES "military grade encryption" over SSL. You can also choose to set yor own encryption key that Backblaze will NOT store. This will be required in addition to your e-mail and password for retrieving your files, so if you choose to privately encrypt, either use a key you won't forget or write it down and keep it in a safe place.
Restore Process
I think that one of the most overlooked aspects of online backup systems is the restore process. Yes, you want the backups to work -- but being able to access your files in the event of disaster is just as important. My biggest problem with Mozy is the amount of time it takes to get files. In my experiences, it takes several hours for the archived file to be ready for download and then piecing them together is kind of a chore. That process might have improved in the last six months -- I don't know -- but it was enough for me to not want to use it for any large backups.
Backblaze actually has some pretty robust restore options. You can login to your account and view all of your backed up files online, select the files or folders you want to download and then you'll be e-mailed when a zip file is ready. In my tests, it took under 5 minutes for me to receive an e-mail message and the 120 MB test directory (compressed to 55 megs) downloaded at almost 1 MB a second on my cable connection. The entire directory and hidden file structure was maintained exactly as it is on my compuer.
But most of the time, if you need to go to restore your computer, it's because of a data disaster. Either the hard drive died, the laptop was stolen or some other component died. Downloading 100 GBs of data and then braving a restore isn't the most appealing idea in the world. Thus, Backblaze can send you out your data on DVD or on a USB drive. It's not cheap -- $99 for DVDs, $190 for a 160 GB Western Digital USB hard drive -- but it's not overpriced either. That way, in the event that your computer has been stolen or has just gone kaput, you don't have to wait until you get the new system to start the recovery process. They'll FedEx the drive or discs to your house.
Overall
For $5 a month and unlimited storage, Backblaze is a nice, efficient and hassle-free backup solution. The Mac program has a very Mac-like interface, its backup behavior is very similar to Time Machine and the restore process is really, really nice. 300 TUAW readers can sign-up for the beta here and you can try the service out for two weeks and see if it meets your needs.
Seriously though, whether you use an online serive, Time Machine, another program or just diligent weekly backups -- please, backup your computer.
Share
Categories
Update 4:Backblaze worked out the registration server issues and is now taking more users for the beta! If you already downloaded the...
Add a Comment
hey...just catching up on my RSS feeds today...and see this...i downloaded it and installed it and it worked fine from jump...
my main concern is the fact that you CAN NOT backup applications...that bothers me...because my applications are just as important to me as my files are...and if something goes wrong with my macbook again...i need to know what applications i need to get...thats stupid if you are not limiting the amount of data that we can backup...
WHY CANT I BACK UP MY APPLICATIONS?
that is totally stupid...
GLEB...please explain to us the reasoning behind not allowing us to back up applications...
maybe this is a windows thing that we mac heads are being punished over...Mac apps are no where near the size and drama as WINDOZE software is...
this is a problem for me because i like this idea but its not a great thing
another thing...there should be some sort of RESTORE option included if i am going to be paying for this service...
like with Migration Assistant...i can restore from a Time Machine backup...and it will restore the user i choose...
the idea of downloading zip files all day long and then figuring out where the hell they go so that i can actually use my computer again...
and it doesnt back up your library, system or usr files...so those things that are saved from your applications doesnt get restored...this is an issue for me...i need something that will backup...my entire computer...just like Time Machine but not on my premises...
right now i am not able to find work...so every dollar i have needs to stretch as far as it can
i just cant see paying for something that doesnt give me the options i get from the bundled application...TIME MACHINE
just my 4 cents!!!
Hopefully it will work. I’ve been fighting with Mozy on Mac and it is one of the more broken pieces of software I have seen. It simply doesn’t work reliably.
What’s worse, Mozy support is completely useless. They are stateless, they ask you to repeat silly steps again and again, they forget what has been said before and they seem to have no contact whatsoever with the developers. A complete waste of time.
I am having high hopes for Backblaze.
Thanks everyone for using Backblaze!
To clarify, Backblaze absolutely allows you to download via the web an unlimited number of unlimited size restores for free! The 1 GB is simply a recommendation on our site that it's better to download in smaller amounts, but totally up to you.
Thanks,
Gleb
Thanks Gleb!!!
Sounds good! This is exactly what we were looking for. I have checked out a couple of other services but none quite caught my eye like Backblaze.
Thanks again!
I'm feeling like Australia is the uncivilized world of broadband. :( So what's broadband like in the civilized world? Is Icelander's limit of 250GB good or bad? What limits do most folks have? And what sort of real speed (not advertised) do folks get? (I get between 1.5Mbs and 4Mbs download, though usually under 2Mbs, and around 600Kbs upload)
What sort of speed do you need for Backblaze to be viable? Like, at my 600Kbs upload, it would take me 30 days for my first backup (of 192GB)! And that's provided I didn't use the net for anything else or it would take even longer! (Thanks to the brilliant iPhone app, Converter for making that so easy to calculate)
The irony is that it'd be only halfway thru the first backup when the free trial expired. lol. Kinda makes it hard to evaluate for me. :)
This looks like what I would need! I was able to install with out a problem and start the backup process....
This may be a stupid question... But regarding recovery via the web download, are the zip files just in 1gb or smaller chunks? So if I choose to recover 10gb worth of data, will I have to download 10 zip files? I have a feeling that's not the case...
And what if I have a 2gb file I need to recover, would the only way to get it is via the DVD or hard drive? If so, I'm afraid this would not be for me... :(
I'm going to check this out. I feel confident you could just download multiple files in 1GB chunks, not sure about the file size above 1 GB -- I'll e-mail Backblaze and get you a definitive answer (I'm going to try it out myself too).
I'm looking for an inexpensive, bonehead simple, offsite backup scheme for the 25 Mac in our offices. The large database file created by Entourage 2008 always seems to pose a problem (not to mention the less-than-stellar speeds in a couple of offices).
I've installed Backblaze and am attempting a backup now.
What I'd love to see, but don't yet, is (1) a progress bar (or a slightly more intuitive method to gauge progress than files/MB; (2) a way to throttle speeds based on the network's current activity; (3) more functions available from the menu bar icon; (4) larger ZIP file options (I don't see where the limitation is listed on the website, but other readers here keep mentioning them).
Regardless, a Time Machine in the cloud is a great idea -- if security remains tight -- and the option to have a hard drive sent is great when you need it.
Hi Kawika,
Glad that you are looking at Backblaze for your company and thanks for the feedback suggestions. Two notes: you can throttle each client if you wish by sliding a slider in the Settings (but good suggestion on doing it based on network activity) and we do not limit restore sizes. If you would like more help getting your company setup, feel free to email us.
Gleb
Well, this is useless for Aussies. We have quite limited data plans.
I laughed when I saw Icelander say he has to be careful how he manages his "only 250GB" per month. Strewth!
I am with one of the more generous providers and my monthly limit is 12GB peak time (12pm to 12am) and 48GB off peak (12amto 12pm). Plus they charge $3/GB for excess usage.
I installed Backblaze and it wanted to backup 291,000 file totalling 192GB. One backup alone would cost me at least $400!!
The problem is it doesn't make it easy for me to work out why that backup is so big and what files I don't need to backup. I'm sure I don't have 291,000 files that I need backed up.
I also I added another data drive, but it doesn't indicate anywhere that it is updating my backup list. Is that a bug?
And that's why I don't like these systems that backup everything, as they consequently make limiting what you backup more difficult.
If they change it so there's an *option* to backup nothing and then easily select what folders you want to backup, I'll have another look.
But in the mean time, how do I uninstall it??
/Library/Backblaze and there is an uninstall.zip file. Run that and you can remove Backblaze from your system.
Hope that helps!
$5 bucks a month or $50 dollars a year!!! Mobile me you can't backup to iDisk and it's a damn $100 a year!! I know where I'm spending my money!!
December 10 2008 at 10:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOnline backup is great. The only problem is that most broadband providers are choosing to limit bandwidth (rather than upgrade their networks), making things like online backup a liability.
With only 250GB a month of bandwidth on my Comcast service, I have to be careful about how much I back up to Mozy, and how much video content I download.
Does backblaze have a cap on the upload speed?
I use mozy right now, but they cap uploads to 1 mbit which is a pain for when you first start backing up or have a bit much to back up, so if they don't cap it I might consider switching when my year of mozy is up.
Hot Apps on TUAW
Deals of the Day
more deals- Altec Lansing Octiv Duo iDock for $48 + free shipping
- Used Apple iMac 17" Core Duo 1.83GHz for $430 + $28 s&h
- Lounge Deluxe Stand for iPhone / iPod touch for $28 + $8 s&h
- Brookstone Surround-Sound Earbuds for $14 + $7 s&h
- Refurbished Skullcandy Tokidoki Smokin' Buds Mic'd Headset for $5 + $2 s&h
- Stitchway Backup Battery for iPod / iPhone for $5 + free shipping
Software Updates
more updates- EFI Firmware Update brings Lion Internet Recovery to 2010-model Macs
- OS X Lion 10.7.3 released with Safari 5.1.3, Wi-Fi bug fix
- Aperture updated to 3.2.2, addresses Photo Stream issue
- Apple updates Keynote to address Lion issues
- Google Search app gets new look on iPad
- Apple releases Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3
Featured Stories
more stories
Popular Stories
TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
52 Comments