Backup - FTP

The very next thing you should do on your computer is backup "something". If you run out of "somethings", think harder and start over. There are lots of ways to backup data - CD, DVD, USB memory sticks and hard drives, another computer on your network - more than one is a good idea. This post is about an often overlooked method - FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

1. Get an account. Lots of companies offer FTP accounts, we are partial to our own. Choose a username and password and use the Contact link on the left. Include your demographics. The first month is free, after that the cost is $0.30/GB (1,000,000,000 bytes) for transfer (up or down) and $0.30/GB/Month for storage.
2. Download an FTP client, we recommend Firefox+FireFTP.
3. In Firefox, choose Tools, FireFTP
4. Choose Edit.
   1. Name your account something you can remember, e.g. LSNet-FTP
   2. Host: helen.ls.net
   3. Login: - the username you chose in Step 1
   4. Password: the password you chose in Step 1.
   5. Connect
5. Browse to the location you want to back up. Start small.
6. Use the green right arrow to upload to the FTP server.
7. Use the green left arrow to download to your machine.

It really is that simple.