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Review of BackBlaze Online Backup Service

By: Stephen McGovern

Overview and History - BackBlaze provide just the one package which provides unlimited storage for five dollars a month or fifty dollars per annum. Their approach to online backups is a little unusual because they assume most people want to backup all your personal files - documents, music, pictures, videos, etc. – therefore you have to exclude files you do not need archived. The program provides support for 11 languages and file restores can be delivered via web or for a one off payment can be delivered to you on DVDs or a USB drive.

Security - BackBlaze security is very good. They use double encryption techniques involving 128bit AES encryption and a private key to gaurantee your information is completely secure.

Physically, BackBlaze’s data center is in 365 Main Datacenter where they share space with Sun Micro, CNet and Esurance amongst others.

For additional details about their security, see this entry on their blog: http://blog.backblaze.com/2008/11/12/how-to-make-strong-encryption-easy-to-use/

Archive Features - At first BackBlaze uses continuous backup to make certain all alterations to your data are immediately archived. You can also enable scheduling or manually start backups whenever you would like.

In use files can be backed up, however, server databases such as SQL server or Exchange Server are not supported. You can backup USB drives but not network drives. File versioning is available upto 45 days for unlimited versions of files.

Restore Features - Restores are done from the web portal and can be delivered in three ways: A compressed file straight to any device you are using - this is free. The second option is to DVD if you are restoring less than 4Gb of data - this will cost you $99. Or if you are restoring more than 4Gb of data, they will send you a portable drive and charge you $189.
These options seem a bit steep however most Internet Backup Providers do not even offer these options.

Control and Analysis - A central control panel is available on the web site which allows management of multiple accounts. Within the client program you can see details of files waiting to be backed up as well as summary graphs of what has already been archived.

Interface - The online and client interfaces are clean and straightforward. Information is presented in a clear and concise way and there are a reasonable number of options without there being a bombardment.

Device Support - Current BackBlaze supports MAC and PC platforms only.

Limitations - None.

File Sharing and Collaboration - None.

Synchronization - With internet portal but not between machines.

Web 2.0 Integration - None.

Customer Support - There is no interactive support, i.e., phone or live chat. However, there is email support which is rapidly replied to and the technical support people are friendly and well-informed. There is also a Blog filled with useful information.

For self-help there is some documentation - although the system is so straightforward that more documentation would be fairly pointless. There is also an FAQ section and the free trial which lasts 2 weeks, so you have lots of time to evaluate the service before committing your whole $5 per month!

Ease of Use - BackBlaze is very easy to use, if you leave it at the default settings, then it will archive all your personal data from all your local drives automatically. If you need to alter things then the options screens are well laid out and simple to navigate.

Cost
Initial setup - free
Monthly Cost - $5 / mth / device
Yearly Cost - $50 / year / device
Initial allowed storage amount - unlimited
Cost of additional storage - n/a
Cost of additional devices / PCs / users - $5 / mth / device
Referral Program - No
E-billing facility - Yes

Conclusion
BackBlaze is quick to setup and use. The experience of setting up BackBlaze was similar to jumping on a frisky horse: The problem is not getting started; the problem is trying to keep up! The minute BackBlaze is installed it instantly scans your locally connected drives, finds your personal files such as documents, pictures, music, etc. and instantly starts to back them up for you. It's comparable to having your very own over-eager Jeannie desperate to get the job done.

The cost is really cheap and while there are quite a lot of customer support options not provided, the available support is very well done and their tech staff are really helpful and friendly.

If you are looking for a straightforward online backup solution at a fixed price then BackBlaze is well worth considering.

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