Free Online Backup Services: Zumo Drive Vs DropBox - A Combination

I have utilized two kinds of online backup software, that are, Zumo Drive and DropBox, in my computer to backup some of my important documents since last few weeks. It is very important to backup our important documents in various methods, such as print it out, store it in external harddisk, burn it in DVD/CD etc. However, if natural disaster attacks our place, these kind of hardware backup methods look like quite useless and risky. Online backup, on the other hand, can be considered as one kind of remote backup via internet. Therefore, this method is quite promissing to variate our backup methods in such a way that our data can be stored safety. Before I explain how I have combined both Zumo Drive and DropBox to make my backup system looks like more variety and safer, let me introduce these service as below:

1. Zumo Drive (1GB + 1GB*)
After free signup Zumo Drive, you will be given  one GB free storage. The other free 1 GB will be given after you completed list of simple activities, that are, read its introduction, install the software to your pc, upload some files, etc. In other words, you will be given another 1 GB after you know how use the software via its provided instruction (ZumoDrive Black Belt). 
Besides, up to 5GB free space will be given when you invite your friend to use this free service. (256 MB free space for each friend who signs up and installs for ZumoDrive).

2. Dropbox
Dropbox is pretty simple compare to ZumoDrive. All you need to do is "drop" the file you want to Dropbox folder. All modified documents in Dropbox folder will be sync instantly and automatically. The advantage of Dropbox is its undo or undelete function ("Pack-rat") that give you a chance to restore your deleted files within 30 days.
Besides, up to 8GB free space will be given when you invite your friend to use this free service. (250 MB free space for each friend who signs up and installs for Dropbox).

3. Difference between Zumo Drive and DropBox
Few special features Zumo Drive has are: You can open it via your Yahoo! account; and you can "link" those files you want to backup directly without changing its directory or location. For Dropbox user, however, you need to move those files to DropBox folder.
 
4. Combine both Zumo Drive and DropBox
To make your online backup safer and to avoid problems due to server down, I do recommend you to use both Zumo Drive and DropBox together. What I do is just put all the files and documents I want to backup to the DropBox folder, and then, link them to Zumo Drive. In other words, once I modified or update any file in Dropbox, my Zumo Drive will update and backup it as what Dropbox do. One stone kills two birds.
 
5. Pre-cautions
However, that are few things we need to pay attention. First, never ever let the synchonization settling in default. Use your right to determine which file can be shared and uploaded. Second, never ever backup your password in internet. Last but not least, don't forget to use your external hard disk to backup your files from time to time.

That's all for today. More fascinating articles and sharing will be updated from time to time in Xaivier Blog. So, you are welcome to subscribe our feed, look at our sitemap or simply visit our Homepage.

Written by: Xaivier Chia

Note: You can signup these services now via clicking the link below. This will credit some free storage to me as stated in this post. In fact, you will be given a 250MB bonus when signup Zumo Drive via the invitation of me. Thanks for your help. Sign up Zumo Drive; Sign up Dropbox;


-------------------------------- Update: 14 April 2011
In our latest post, we share some tips to get extra free space up to 18.8GB in DropBox free user account.
Do visit your post of Dropbox - Get extra space free up to 18.8GB.
http://xaivierchia.blogspot.com/2011/04/dropbox-get-extra-space-free-up-to.html

-------------------------------- Update: 7 April 2011
Dropbox: For every friend who joins and installs Dropbox, we'll give you both 250 MB of bonus space (up to a limit of 8 GB)!
Invitation link: http://db.tt/VztOSJR

ZumoDrive: Create a 2GB account FREE! Plus a 250MB bonus from Xaivier
Invitation link: http://zumo.cc/dr/dir/19bdODM3ZT

-------------------------------- Update: 16 March 2011
After few weeks using these online automatics backup services, I found some of my file will corrupt, e.g. Endnote. It was because I changed the files during the files was uploading. Therefore, it may be a good idea to pause or exit the software first when you are doing quick and frequent modification, such as update your Endnote database.