* Location and Security of Media Files

[fhugdeeseajay]

Hi
As a new user, I have a question regarding location of Media Files in FH7.

For security reasons, I always save my project backups and diagram/charts to Google Drive.

I have added many media files and always click the "Default Location within Project Folder" option as the location to save them to. My query is: When backing up a project file to Google Drive, do the media files already saved to that project file also get backed up as part of the project backup? If not, how do I ensure the media files are not lost if my computer fails or is stolen?

Probably a naive question but I need to feel that all the work in adding media is secure!

Many thanks

David

[BillH]

David,

See https://www.family-historian.co.uk/help ... ckups.html for an explanation of the backup options available in FH. The Full backup is the only one that backs up the Media folder in the project.

Everything will also be backed up in any strategy you use to back up your hard drive (you do back it up I hope).

Remember, Google Drive is not really a backup... it is a synced copy. If you accidently delete something on your hard drive it is also deleted from Google Drive. I don't use Google Drive, but I believe they do keep backups of some files you delete from Google Drive, but I'm not sure for how long. I wouldn't rely on Google Drive as my only backup.

Bill

[Mark1834]

“Rule of three” for backups. Three copies on three different media types, kept in three locations. For me, that’s the original on the desk PC, OneDrive in the cloud, and local NAS (or USB hard disk if you don’t use a NAS). That should give sufficient redundancy for domestic use.

[BillH]

What I learned was a 3-2-1 backup strategy. Three copies on at least two media types with at least 1 copy offsite. That has always been sufficient for me when I've had to recover.

Again, I wouldn't consider One Drive a backup location as a copy there would be deleted if you delete the copy on your computer. There are many actual backup "locations" on the cloud. I use IDrive. It keeps a pretty continuous backup throughout the day.

Bill

[Mark1834]

Bill,

OneDrive has a recycle bin, so accidental deletions can be recovered. It also keeps previous file versions (a bit like FH snapshots on steroids). It's my modern equivalent of the USB hard desk in my office locker when I was a wage slave - I don't bother with a physical copy offsite these days.

These are supplemented by various ad hoc copies of both data and system, but OneDrive and the NAS are my main lines of defence.

[BillH]

Bill,

OneDrive has a recycle bin, so accidental deletions can be recovered. It also keeps previous file versions (a bit like FH snapshots on steroids). It's my modern equivalent of the USB hard desk in my office locker when I was a wage slave - I don't bother with a physical copy offsite these days.

These are supplemented by various ad hoc copies of both data and system, but OneDrive and the NAS are my main lines of defence.

Mark,

OneDrive only keeps deleted files for 30 days which is too short for my needs. I have had to recover files that were deleted more than 30 days ago on quite a few occasions.

The file versioning you mention sounds like what IDrive does. They keep up to 30 versions of every file forever. From what I have been able to find, OneDrive only keeps up to 25 versions for up to 30 days. Is that your understanding?

Bill

[GeneSniper]

I think this has been around before, I only use Onedrive for backup as my laptop has a copy of my tree and a backup (well a few backups actually) and both are stored on Onedrive as well. Microsoft also backup my Onedrive a couple of times, just in case there server fails. So if my laptop blows up, at least 2 copies on Onedrive, if I accidentally delete my tree there is a at least one backup on my laptop and the same on Onedrive and if I accidentally delete my tree and all the backups on my laptop and empty the deleted items folder then maybe I shouldn’t be using computers.
I have never had any issues with this method.

[Mark1834]

Bill - I was just describing what works for me and correcting your assertion that OneDrive cannot recover accidental deletions. Your requirements may differ, and you have your solution.

Let’s not dilute the core message to readers - a file not backed up is a file you are happy to do without.

[GeneSniper]

Mark,

You would have to accidentally delete your file and your backup and not notice it for 31days and chances are (due to FH not overwriting old backups)you would still have a few more backups to play with.

[tatewise]

Getting back to David's original question here is a bit more clarification.

David, use the FH Help > Family Historian Help and on the Search tab search for Backups.
Click List Topics and open the Backups topic.
That gives the same explanation as the online link https://www.family-historian.co.uk/help ... ckups.html that BillH posted.

Both Medium and Full backups include the Media files held within the Project's default Media location.

[BillH]

Bill - I was just describing what works for me and correcting your assertion that OneDrive cannot recover accidental deletions. Your requirements may differ, and you have your solution.

Let’s not dilute the core message to readers - a file not backed up is a file you are happy to do without.

Mark,

I just worry about folks thinking Google Drive and OneDrive is sufficient. If someone deletes something accidently and doesn't realize it within a month they have lost it unless they have another backup somewhere else (which they should have).

I agree totally that if you don't back things up you don't mind losing them.

Bill

[BillH]

Both Medium and Full backups include the Media files held within the Project's default Media location.

Oops... I mispoke in my first response. I thought it was only the Full backup. I should have reread the help file.

Bill

[GeneSniper]

Mark,

I just worry about folks thinking Google Drive and OneDrive is sufficient. If someone deletes something accidently and doesn't realize it within a month they have lost it unless they have another backup somewhere else (which they should have).

I agree totally that if you don't back things up you don't mind losing them.

Bill

Bill

If you read my reply, OneDrive is enough. You have your original and your backup on your PC, then they are both backed up to OneDrive, so you have 4 copies of your file (2 linked) and probably a few more backups as FH don't overwrite your backups and they will be backed up to OneDrive. Surely the chances of deleting all of these files and not noticing, emptying my PC recycle bin (not a 30 day limit) and not going to the OneDrive Recycle bin within 30 days are slim at best. Multiple OneDrive backups on their servers and not forgetting if you have a Microsoft 365 account you also have Ransomware Backups for 30 days. I am sure this back up will be more than enough for anyone doing their family tree.

[BillH]

Bill

If you read my reply, OneDrive is enough. You have your original and your backup on your PC, then they are both backed up to OneDrive, so you have 4 copies of your file (2 linked) and probably a few more backups as FH don't overwrite your backups and they will be backed up to OneDrive. Surely the chances of deleting all of these files and not noticing, emptying my PC recycle bin (not a 30 day limit) and not going to the OneDrive Recycle bin within 30 days are slim at best. Multiple OneDrive backups on their servers and not forgetting if you have a Microsoft 365 account you also have Ransomware Backups for 30 days. I am sure this back up will be more than enough for anyone doing their family tree.

I would agree that in the scenario you describe, it may be enough as long as you really do copy both the original and the backup from your hardrive to OneDrive.

Personally, I don't keep any backups on my computer. I backup to external hardrives and to Idrive. If I need to recover and it isn't on the external hardrives then I can always get it from IDrive. That makes me more comfortable, but I know everyone has a different comfort level. What works won't be the same for everyone.

By the way I was not speaking just of family trees, but of hard drive backups in general.

Bill

[GeneSniper]

By the way I was not speaking just of family trees, but of hard drive backups in general.

Neither was I just talking of family tree, but that was what we were talking about. As for not keeping backups on your PC, Why? You would have 2 copies of your tree on your PC and have them set to "Always Keep on This Device" and then they will automatically be on your PC and your OneDrive. No separate copying/backing up to other NAS drives or memory keys. My whole Document, Pictures, Video and Music folders set as "Always Keep On This Device" so everything is backed up to OneDrive and my Document folder is also set up this way on my iPad, so I suppose it is like a wireless memory key carrying another backup of my files and also backed up to Apple's iCloud. I have just realised I have an over the top amount of backups and half have been created by accident.

[BillH]

Neither was I just talking of family tree, but that was what we were talking about. As for not keeping backups on your PC, Why? You would have 2 copies of your tree on your PC and have them set to "Always Keep on This Device" and then they will automatically be on your PC and your OneDrive. No separate copying/backing up to other NAS drives or memory keys. My whole Document, Pictures, Video and Music folders set as "Always Keep On This Device" so everything is backed up to OneDrive and my Document folder is also set up this way on my iPad, so I suppose it is like a wireless memory key carrying another backup of my files and also backed up to Apple's iCloud. I have just realised I have an over the top amount of backups and half have been created by accident.

I guess I was confused by your statement... "I am sure this back up will be more than enough for anyone doing their family tree.".

I do not keep backups on the computer in case the hardrive goes bust. I want my backups to be separate from my PC.

See my earlier reply to Mark where described earlier why OneDrive wouldn't work for me.

I think we've taken this topic too far from the original posters question. So I'll be done now.

Bill

[fhugdeeseajay]

Many thanks BillH and the others who responded.

Yes, I'll ensure I adopt the 'triple lock' approach to backups from now on!

I tried an experiment with Google Drive, by deleting an unwanted file on my laptop. The corresponding file in my G: drive was not deleted. I also accessed my Google Drive from another computer and was easily able to access all my files stored on the drive. I use the G: drive to store files directly from my laptop, not just as a backup.

Regardless of the above, I'll adopt the 'triple lock' in future!

Thanks again

David