[LOGic] Backup Strategy

Mon Oct 13 00:33:04 EDT 2008

Variation on the theme:
1) Always have the "Safety Log" enabled. Offload it as you see fit.
2) Periodically use LOGIC's built-in backup feature (and especially do this 
after a major contest, DX contact, etc.):
 a) Tools/Backup-Restore Log Data
 b) Select "Advanced"
 c) Click "Select"
 d) In the left column, click My Computer, then
 e) Navigate to some place on your hard drive (away from LOGIC) and 
define the path
 f) Enter today's date for the backup file, this will let you easily keep 
& identify multiple backups. LOGIC will automatically add an extension of 
"PDAbackup", you don't need to type in an extension.
 g) Click "Open"
 h) Confirm the path & file name looks right
 i) Click "Backup"
LOGIC will backup your log to the directory path you defined.
Now...if you have a LAN (or optical media, another hard drive, RAMDISK, 
etc.) do the SAME process, but this time define a different path (but same 
backup filename) on your LAN, optical media, RAM, etc. In the left column, 
click the My Network Places tab instead of the My Computer tab. You'll end 
up with TWO redundant copies of your log.
If you have a home LAN, there are some handy backup utilities which have 
been previously mentioned (I use one called Second Copy 
http://www.secondcopy.com) which makes it really easy to do unattended 
backups from a PC on a LAN to other PC's. Every night my system 
automatically does a daisy chain backup from PC to PC, so there are 
redundant copies scattered throughout the LAN.
If the "unthinkable" happens to your ham logs, pick one of your backup 
files, and use LOGIC's "Tools/Backup-Restore Log Data" function to bring you 
back. If you get in the habit of running LOGIC's backup tool after a 
contest, QSL printing, or DX session, you can pretty much protect yourself 
from losing anything.
If you use a backup scripter like Second copy, you can similarly protect 
your MP3's, data files, photos, videos, etc.
I am not presently backing up offsite, but would like to do so. If anyone 
can recommend a cost-effective method to encrypt & offload backup data, I'd 
be really interested in hearing ideas. Initially, I might need to offload 
several hundred GB, so the storage and broadband needs are rather 
substantial. Once the initial offsite dump was done, the daily changes would 
probably not be more than a few hundred MB. Obviously I would prefer not to 
spend hundreds of dollars for this privilege! My ISP, Comcast, only provides 
10GB total storage...don't think this will cut it.
73
Dan
K0DAN
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J.A. Wolf, MD, K6JW" <k6jw at scdxc.org>
To: "LOGic is open to all radio amateurs for discussion of LOGic logging 
program" <logic at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 9:47 PM
Subject: [LOGic] Backup Strategy
>I believe in the "belt and suspenders" approach. Here's what I do:
> 1. Every contact is backed up using LOGic's SafetyLog to a flash drive.
> 2. At the end of every opearting session I back up the log to a directory 
> on the flash drive AND to a subdirectory on the main hard drive but in a 
> different logical partition (see below).
> 3. About once a month, or sooner if I've worked a really rare and needed 
> one, I back up to a CD and store the disc in a very safe (and fireproof) 
> place well away from the shack.
> 4. Periodically, I do a hard copy printout for safe, "offsite" storage.
> My contacts go back to 1958, I'd be devastated if I lost them.
> Here's another safety tip. Whenever I get a new computer or 
> (unfortunately) have to rebuild my hard drive, I set up a separate 
> partition from the C drive for data storage. If "C" goes down, I can 
> usually get to the data partition (generally D, E, or F) to salvage 
> everything that's important unless the drive has a mechanical failure. 
> This has saved my neck more than once over the years.
> --JW, K6JW
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