SVA Forum

Jan-10 · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 79 Location: London

Hi all

Do you have any ideas for my client's work colleague who lives out in the sticks/in the country as his broadband speeds are slow out there. Especially as he would like to use a cloud based backup system - it will take forever to backup.

Do any of you live far away from London and have this problem with broadband speeds and using cloud based backup systems, etc. What do you use for this type of problem, i.e. broadband and/or backup systems.

I realise that already, we've talked about backup systems and recovering data - whereby I do appreciate that information - but this has the added problem as above.

Jan
North London

caroline · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 1:28 pm Post subject:

I'm maybe delusional since I refuse to live anywhere that's not within walking distance of a 24 hour shop - but is broadband really that slow out in the sticks???

I'd go for something which has "sequential" back up - in other words it only backs up files which have been changed, rather than backing up the whole computer every time. www.idrive.com is one of these and you can pick which files you back up - i.e. you don't need to back up all your computer programmes, but might only back up your drive where you store data.

Alternatively he could back up onto an external drive which will help if his computer breaks, but not it his house burns down!
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Jan-10 · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 79 Location: London

Hi Caroline

You're a Gem. That's a great idea - Actually I should have thought of that too only I use Carbonite whereby you can only switch off backup to any chosen files and then switch it back on.

iDrive seems to have more choices.

As for external backup drives - my client made a suggestion to his colleague about using a special facility-two external drives, one backs up the other or something - I dont know what it's called, etc but it came to £500.00!

About being out in the sticks - I have just been informed by a VA from Wales that she is using BT Broadband and it works quite well - so it cant be that bad. I think he could be using some cheap broadband or something - I will be getting in contact with him now so should find out.

Thanks so much Caroline.

Jan

Petra · Joined: 23 Jun 2011 Posts: 16

On the topic of broadband, it can vary a lot. I've recently moved from London to a little town south of Manchester. The internet here is awful - and that's with BT!

We get 5megabit on a good day, but it keeps cutting out or suddenly going treacle-slow. We live on the outskirts of the little town, but it's not like we are in the middle of a field or anything, I'd dread to think what that would be like.

Have high hopes for BT Infinity when that (allegedly) starts up here at the end of the month.

caroline · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 2:57 pm Post subject:

It also very much depends on who is using the internet in your area. E.g. If the only provider in the area is BT you'll be sharing your broadband with 200-odd other people, whereas if you were in a more competitive area those 200 people would be spread out over 4-5 different providers.

As a rule, go for the least popular provider!
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UDoIT · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject:

A word of warning about 'the cloud'. If it takes ages to backup it will take even longer to restore. My view is cloud backup is useful as a fast way to recover small amounts of data, but it's not yet a replacement for disk or tape. You can get a portable USB drive for under £100.
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Jon Veal
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Debs · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:52 pm Post subject:

I am in the depths of Norfolk and Broadband is promised at 8 but we only get up to 2 speed wise.... but it doens't often cut out and two of us are ok using it at the same time. I am with BT....

I also use a seperatedrive for my files even though I have a Mac and ICloud. For clients though, I guess we need a secure area away from where we work to ensure continuity in case of disaster!
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Lalapalooza Limited
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dawnjlane · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 7:57 pm Post subject:

I'm 22 miles from Plymouth and on a good day my download speed is about 3mb and upload speed less than 1mb!

Dawn
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Dawn Lane VAcertified MAMS MInstAM
Your Office Online - www.your-office-online.co.uk
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expedio · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject:

I too live 'in the sticks' in Herefordshire. Although BT broadband generally OK we had a huge problem lately and were without phone and broadband for 13 weeks. As I bemoaned BT on Twitter had a lovely response from these guys at Tooway Direct who offer 18Mbps via Satellite broadband. Seriously considering it and thought may be worth sharing for other 'in the sticky people' who need more speed to work :) http://www.toowaydirect.com/
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Jo Sparkes
Expedio Virtual Assistance
http://www.thevirtualassistant.co.uk
http:///www.vapromag.co.uk

caroline · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 5:27 pm Post subject:

I've never heard of that before Jo - sounds like a brill idea!
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