Making DP Project Backups: Media Type?

[Russ Tanner]

What is the best way to backup DP6 projects? And, what media should be used?

The reason I ask is because I recently moved DP project and audio files between machines and lost TYPE and OWNER information in the project files, and somehow lost header information in the audio files. Recovering this information took some time, so I want to be sure my backups won't cause the same problem.

Would CD or DVD work without losing this information?

Thanks.

[FMiguelez]

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I always backup to different media (duplicates). If one fails, then you still have the other. I use DVDs and USB HDs. Works quite well.

[kassonica]

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I always backup to different media (duplicates). If one fails, then you still have the other. I use DVDs and USB HDs. Works quite well.

+1

The safest medium is optical media.

If stored well and you use good quality disks and have at least 2 copies it wont be a problem.

[Russ Tanner]

OK, so transferring DP6 projects directly to CD or DVD (as data) won't cause any loss of data, such as Mac OS X TYPE or CREATOR information?

I guess I'll run a test to be sure and report back here.

Thanks.

[kassonica]

OK, so transferring DP6 projects directly to CD or DVD (as data) won't cause any loss of data, such as Mac OS X TYPE or CREATOR information?

I guess I'll run a test to be sure and report back here.

Thanks.

Drag the session file into a burning program (I use toast) hit burn been doing it for years, never a problem

[daniel.sneed]

+1
My very old PPC Toast has been totally reliable here for years.
Even on my Intel MacBook.

I always keep 1 DVD copy and 1 HD copy.

BTW be sure you do select *verify* when burning DVD.
Sometimes (very rarely) I need to burn a second one, cause of a burning error.

Be sure to list any plugin basic information (types, releases).
If you wanna be totally safe, freeze your tracks cause your plugins may behave bad as times go by : not *forever* supported, last release compatibility bugs...

AudioFinder writes automatically, in html format, a list of all your actual enabled plugins. A good thing to be stored within projects.

[Russ Tanner]

Excellent info. Thanks.

I'm going to try all that you suggested, including toast.

I'm still pretty new to the mac so I'm learning a lot right now.

Thanks again.

[FMiguelez]

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Toast is great.
But even if you don't have it, you can create a Burn Folder in Leopard. Just drag your DP session files (or whatever you wish to backup) to this folder, and it will create pointers to those files. Burn it and have it checked by the system.

I am extremely paranoid about backups. Even anal. I always burn 2 DVDs (of different brands), and another copy goes to the USB HD. Every year I dump all the HD data to the "annual HD" (and leave the source in the USB HD).

One of the DVD copies is stored at my parents' house, the other at my house. The USB HD is always at the studio. And the Annual HDs are stored at home too. They are sealed in bags, with those little humidity-absorbing packets (the ones with the small rocks), and these bags are in a sealed box.

I think keeping your backups always duplicated and at different locations is the safest thing you can do if you REALLY care about your data.

One thing I need to improve is my database that references all these backups and versions. I have been doing them in Excel, and, as you can imagine, is already getting out of hand.
I am already taking FileMaker Pro lessons, so I learn how to do my own personalized databases, all automated, with buttons, and everything (for this and many other purposes)

Geez. What a geek I am

[Russ Tanner]

Great backup plan. I'm inspired by your attention to detail and safety. Hey, if that data is lost, all that work is gone.

2 Locations is a great idea that many never think about. Imagine if your house burned down. All your months or years of work could be destroyed in 1 day. Storing data off-site is a very good idea! Don't forget your digital photos.

I'll give what you suggested a try about the burn folder. Being new to Mac, I have a lot of learning to do. I'll also look into toast. I keep hearing great things about it.

Thanks again.