For those who haven’t heard about this yet, the Carbonite for iPhone app has already been available for Carbonite users and iPhone owners since early this year. Now you may not always have your laptop with you 24/7 but I’m pretty sure you’re practically joined at the hip with your iPhone. So forget about going home to copy that presentation you have on your desktop because now there’s a much more convenient way for you to access important files even while on the move: get them through your iPhone.

So if you’re not yet altogether convinced about going online for your storage solutions, here’s yet another great reason to consider jumping into the online backup bandwagon, particularly with Carbonite Backup. With the Carbonite for iPhone app, your documents, pictures, presentations, or anything you have entrusted to Carbonite’s servers, are literally right at your fingertips!

Here are the things you can do with Carbonite app on your iPhone or iPod Touch:

• Browse through all the files you have in your Carbonite account.

• View your word documents, presentations, PDF files, pictures, and videos right on your iPhone or iTouch.

• Share any of these files with colleagues, friends, or family members. The documents will be sent as email attachments.

• Access cached files offline or even without Wi-Fi or 3G connection.

Don’t have an iPhone or iPod Touch? Not to worry. You can still access your files by simply logging into your Carbonite account from a remote location through the Remote File Access feature. Just remember that for both features, files from your initial backup, your most recent backup, and those requested for immediate backup are accessible.

And what’s the best thing about these value-added services from Carbonite Backup? They’re absolutely free. You simply have to pay the affordable $55 yearly subscription fee and get to avail of Carbonite’s reliable online backup and storage service, plus Carbonite for iPhone app and other services the company has to offer. Now, that’s online backup at its simplest – and best.

Carbonite has announced the addition of iPad support to its mobile application for remotely accessing files. The Carbonite app allows users to log into their Carbonite account and browse through files that have been backed up using the service. In addition, many file types can be opened directly within Carbonite or attached to e-mails for quick sharing. The iPad release also makes use of caching, creating a quicker browsing experience that loads recent files faster than previous releases. The software is available as a free app in the App Store, but to access all of the features users will need a Carbonite Online Backup account. New customers can try a 15-day free trial or subscribe to a one-year account for $55.

I’ve felt the sting of lost data before, so when I found out that Geek Choice was offering Carbonite off-site data backup services I knew it was time to start backing up my data properly. Like many people I’ve promised myself over and over that I would start keeping backups of my data on flash drives or floppy disks, but I never kept up with the hassle of backing up every time I changed a file.With Carbonite, though, my data is safe even if my resolve wavers.

Carbonite is completely automated backup software. It runs in the background as I do my work. I’ve had it running for a while now and I haven’t had to even think about it since the initial backup finished. It just works. I can see it’s working with the small green and orange dots next to my files, showing me what’s backed up and what’s not. The thing that’s really got me impressed is the speed. While copying over folders full of images and other information, I can watch the green dots catch up with my progress in a matter of minutes.

Off-site backup is always the safest option for your data if you can manage it. I know that no matter what happens to my computer, my local network, or even my home that my data will be safe. Now I can have that piece of mind without trying to set up my own off-site backup or paying a fortune. And now that Geek Choice offers this great service, you can have it installed on your home computer or your entire business network by an expert technician. Safe, easy, and setup by a Geek you can trust – what more could you ask for in a data backup solution?

When it came to backing up my data I always had the attitude that “hey my computer isn’t going to crash” it won’t happen to me until of course that day it did happen to me. Ok no big deal right? I can get my data back right? Well what if you can’t and you don’t have your important files backed up? Well you are shit out of luck my friend all because you failed to do one simple thing and backup your hard drive.

There is no reason especially if you are running a small business that you shouldn’t have some backup in place. You can backup to a zip drive, cd rom, removable usb drive or online backup company like Carbonite where they offer Affordable online backup for your small business. Only $54.95/year for unlimited backup. Try it free!

I recently had several of my blogs hacked and was able to restore it back immediately because I had my database and wordpress files backed up.Don’t let all your hard work go to waste by losing everything you worked so hard. Backup your files as often you can and utilize offsite backup companies like Carbonite.

Recently I had some free time and decided to satisfy my curiosity on whether or not my Carbonite’s online backup program was all it was advertized to be. And because it was I decided to mention it again in a Good Boot.

Carbonite automatically backs up the most important files on your computer and stores them in a secure, offsite location.

Those files include but are not limited to: AppData Local, Locallow and Roaming, Contacts, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Favorites, Music, Pictures, Programs and Videos. Files that can be easily recovered from any computer.

Carbonite is novice-friendly, installs quickly and easily, works in the background to update your backup without slowing down your computer, “double-encrypts” files so only you can see your files, retrieves your backed up files over the internet with its remote access and “just in case” does not delete a file for two weeks after you delete the file from your had drive.

To retrieve one, several or all your files you simply click on Start > Computer and scroll down to the Carbonite folder. It opens and displays like any Windows Explorer folder all your backed up folders and files. In addition there’s a folder displaying files pending backup.

Carbonite also provides an e-mail warning if for whatever reason a week passes without it being able to back up your data.

As an example: I seldom use our user group laptop between meetings. If I do not boot it for over a week I’ll receive an e-mail sent to my desktop computer alerting me that there has been no recent updated backup of the data on the laptop.

The cost is only $54.95 per “year” for unlimited backup space with no limit on file size.

The only complaint I’ve received concerns the length of time it takes Carbonite to initially upload data. It’s true that depending on Carbonite’s access to your computer and the amount of data to be uploaded, the initial upload may take several days. But once the initial upload is complete, updating the backup is so efficient you’ll not be aware of it.

Carbonite offers a 15 day risk-free, no credit card required full version trial.

I’m not suggesting you forgo backing up to an external hard drive. However keep in mind an external hard drive is nothing more than a hard drive in a box, subject to the same hazzards that can corrupt your computer’s hard drive.

For me Carbonite has become my data security blanket.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

The time has come when you may no longer need to lug a laptop around to get work done. With about $50 worth of apps, you can turn your iPhone or iPod Touch into a true mobile powerhouse.

Brush up on a PowerPoint presentation. Catch up on all your e-mail. Access important files stored on your desktop PC right on your phone. I have six great apps that will help you do this and more. Find links to apps mentioned at www.komando.com/news.

TECH TIPS: Ask Kim

Documents to Go

Do a fair number of presentations or editing Microsoft Word or Excel files? Documents To Go ($10) is right up your alley. It lets you view, create and edit Word and Excel documents. The professional version ($15) adds PowerPoint support.

You can synchronize files with your Windows PC or Mac over Wi-Fi. Or, send and receive files via e-mail. You get a healthy set of features, but not all that are available in Microsoft Office. Files sent from your desktop retain their formatting. You’ll see graphics and tables, along with comments and footnotes/endnotes. The app can also be used to view PDFs and iWork ’08 and ’09 files.

TapIt4Me

The iPhone’s keyboard can be difficult. You’ll want TapIt4Me ($5) for composing documents or long e-mail messages.

Start by creating “snippets.” A snippet consists of a phrase and an abbreviation. When you type the abbreviation, TapIt4Me replaces it with the phrase. For example, “brb” is expanded to “be right back.”

Use the notes feature to compose a message. Expand a single abbreviation, or create an entire e-mail message from several abbreviations. Then, copy and paste the note into another app. The app includes a number of snippets. You can edit, delete or keep any or all of them.

Print n Share for advanced printing@

At some point, you’ll want to print content stored on your iPhone. Print n Share for advanced printing ($7) lets you print files and Web pages. Or, print contacts, e-mail messages and photos.

Print n Share works with any printer available to your computer. You can print from your Wi-Fi network, or use your cellular connection to print from afar.

Carbonite

Access your online backup files on the go with Carbonite’s iPhone app. (Full disclosure: Carbonite is one of my national radio show’s sponsors.) The app is free, but you’ll need to subscribe to Carbonite.

The way the app works is simple. Carbonite on your desktop backs up your files to Carbonite’s servers. You can then access all of these files on your iPhone. View photos, brush up on a PowerPoint presentation or review documents.

The app also lets you e-mail files directly from your phone. That makes it easy to share and access files anywhere. Access your files over cellular and Wi-Fi networks.

ScanR Business Center

ScanR Business Center Pro ($25) turns your iPhone into a scanner and fax machine. Since it requires a camera, iPod Touch users won’t reap its full benefits.

Use your iPhone’s camera to scan documents, business cards and more. Then, convert them into PDF files. The PDFs are searchable, so you can search for specific text within finished files.

Once you scan a document, fax it to anyone around the world. Or, use a nearby fax machine as a printer. Faxing is free. Your scans and faxes are stored online. You can access them from any Web browser or iPhone. You can also convert scans to editable documents via scanR’s site.

Dropbox

Dropbox (free) makes it easy to transfer files to your iPhone. It works with Dropbox’s online service, which synchronizes files between computers. A 2-gigabyte account is free.

Access your Dropbox account on the go. View files and download them to your iPhone for offline viewing. Changes made on a computer are synchronized to your iPhone.

You can share links to your Dropbox files with others. Or, take photos and videos with your iPhone and upload them to Dropbox.

Kim Komando hosts the nation’s largest talk radio show about computers and the Internet. To get the podcast or find the station nearest you, visit www.komando.com/listen. To subscribe to Kim’s free e-mail newsletters, sign up at www.komando.com/newsletters. Contact her at gnstech@gannett.com.

I kept reading about all of these different viruses and whatnot out there that were ruining people’s computers. I kept thinking that it would never happen to me, but then I got a virus on my computer. It was not that bad but it made me realize that I was not immune. So, I started using carbonite to back up my data. I knew that if I did nothing then I was risking losing a lot of valuable information. I feel a lot more comfortable knowing that my information is safe and even if I do get a virus, it will be all right.

Carbonite claims that Carbonite Pro will differ from their consumer offerings by providing business-specific features, including SSL data encryption, automatic backup, and data administration services.

As Carbonite CEO David Friend explained in a statement, “Now we have a version of Carbonite that incorporates everything that these small-business users have been asking for: no per-PC fees, administrative tools that are simple enough for any office manager to use, the ability to back up external drives and priority support.”

According to Carbonite’s numbers, more than 100,000 SMBs already use Carbonite’s consumer product, which provides unlimited backup for $54.95 per year per computer. With Carbonite Pro will come a tiered pricing structure following a month-long free trial. The prices range from $10 a month for up to 20GB to $250 a month for 300GB to 499GB. Carbonite insists there are no licensing or setup fees.

Users will be able to access and manage their files via their Carbonite web acount. A central administrator dashboard monitors the activity. Carbonite also claims the user files are encrypted before leaving a user’s computer. Carbonite’s Restore Wizard walks users through data recovery, step by step. An administrator can deny specific access and disable accounts should an employee leave the company.

Hopefully Earl’s link will work for you. If it doesn’t invest in an USB external drive enclosure that matches your drives dimensions. Take the Drive out of the dead computer and hook it up to a computer that is functional. The other computer should recognize it and allow you to browse the directory structure and move any files that you want to make sure to have a copy of. You then have two options you can either Buy a new HD and reinstall Windows or you can reinstall on the old HD just keep in mind everything will be wiped out.

I also Highly recommend a service such as carbonite. It is important to continue to have backups locally as well but they do and will fail at the wrong time. The nice thing with Carbonite and other services like that, they have invested in the infrastructure to have multiple layers of redundancy so the likely hood of them loosing your data is very very slim.

Let us know if you need any more help. I know there are several of us IT guys out here.

Carbonite version 3.7.6 was released over the weekend. This now means that Carbonite is fully compatible with Windows 7. In addition, all users also get enhancements to the restore window, providing more ways to search for files that need to be restored.

All new trial users will automatically be given Carbonite 3.7.6. Users on older versions can upgrade by logging into their account and reinstalling Carbonite. A prompt to upgrade will go out to all users over the coming week.