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Ask HN: What backup software do you install for your parents / non-techies?

6 points by lucb1e ↗ HN
I can't seem to find anything that "just works", specifically for my mom and grandma. Software requirements are simple: easy enough that they can use it after I set it up, and incremental such that the computer doesn't have to have special power-on hours for it to run a complete backup.

For example, telling them to copy the Documents and Pictures folders and pasting them on an external drive is a no-go, as it would take many hours every time. Telling them to copy only new files to the drive seems error-prone and annoying, and I additionally don't think I could explain that to my grandma. Leaving the drive permanently connected isn't really an option with laptops, and is a cryptolocker risk (I wouldn't be surprised if they click on a cryptolocker sooner or later). Not to mention the risk of fire.

If there is good software, an external drive is a reasonable compromise and a cheap option. The software I found for local backups typically requires more than a single click, and many hard-code the drive letter (which is variable). I also found that my mom plugged in the backup drive exactly zero times over the course of half a year.

For online backup, I would like it to be properly encrypted (I'll manage the key: if I get hit by a bus, they still have the original data). Trying Backblaze, the backup gets stuck on a random picture. Asking support, they say it might be a read lock, which is plausible, but c'mon, Windows and indefinite read locks exist since forever, it should not break the backup completely. I guess I'll implement support's solution (ask mom to reboot) and pay for a month while continuing to monitor it...

Cygwin and rsync (or restic or so) is possible, but requires me to run a server with ~500GB of free space. Scripting it so they only have to click an icon isn't a big deal, but rolling my own seems error-prone, and surely there exists a solution that someone without a unix neck beard can understand?!

What do you use for your loved ones?

7 comments

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rvz
iCloud. - Why?

* No Installation.

* Cross-Platform (iDevice, Mac, PC, Linux).

* Encrypted.

* Simple enough for any person to use without handholding.

lucb1e
Wait, iCloud works on non-macOS/iOS? I didn't know that, that's good to know (Apple would be the first company I consider using despite not having client-side encryption: they seem likely to actively thwart dragnet surveillance).

Still, do they do anything that Dropbox/GDrive/OneDrive/etc. don't, like, does it actually do backups, or is it just another folder on your computer that my mom would have to drag new files into (similar to the external hard drive problem I described in the question)? The only place "backup" is mentioned on apple.com/icloud is with a screenshot of an iOS setting to back your device up. Which would be perfect, iff she used macOS.

giardini
I recently set up a friend's new Windows PC with both Acronis online backup service and Acronis TrueImage local backup (to a local USB drive). If one fails the other is there.

I chose Acronis b/c I had installed a local version years ago on his old PC and it ran flawlessly. When I updated to the new version of Acronis it found the old backup files with no problems. The software just works.

Whenever I visit I check his local backup drive status. Sometimes the USB drive light is turned off and I remind him to keep it on and check again before leaving (it immediately initiates a delayed backup). He gets emails notifying him when Acronis remote backups are completed.

Hope that's enough!8-))

I'm an old-fashioned UNIX/Linux text-based person, so my storage requirements are satisfied by a relatively small USB drive. Everything I need backed up is on the desktop. Backup takes only a few minutes. Vita brevis, carpe diem.

dddddaviddddd
For local backups, Time Machine on macOS. Very easy to use recovery features, everything integrated into the OS.
jamesholden
I feel that something like backblaze personal backup is a good option. It's great if they have some local backup drive for this additionally (3-2-1), but it's pretty bulletproof to have unlimited online backup storage for your parent's home PC. From accidentally deleting a file, to a house fire.. everything is backed up outside the home. Just have it back up from the time they go to bed normally, and the time they wake up, and they won't need to do anything or worry about it. Plus, it's affordable af for what it is. My 2 cents.
[dead] letitburn
Parents refused to convert to Linux when I asked them to. New icons, they didn't like it. I said fine, and cut them off the tech support I provided when visiting. They will be on win 7 for a long long time I feel. What do I care though, it's their life.

I have to mention, I work in software development. When family and new people ask if I could help them with their problem I always ask if they can help with rewiring my flat's power lines. You know, you said you work in accounting, it's kinda like electrical work, right? The computer you work on has electricity.

Sometimes I just feel them my hourly rate as a contractor. They gasp and figure the problem themselves.