Ubuntu 11.10 has two ways for users to backup data. One is through the use of Deja Dup backup tool, but I’m not going to go into this method in this blog post. The second method is Ubuntu One which allows users to backup files and folders through Internet. Ubuntu One saves users’ data securely in network of servers known as cloud service, and users can retrieve data securely to Ubuntu computers and mobile devices.
In addition to allowing users to backup data, Ubuntu One can sync files and folders across Ubuntu devices, including mobile devices. Ubuntu One allows users to stream music to their mobile devices, but they have to pay $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year for this feature. Streaming music feature will work with Android phones, iPhone, and iPad. Users can subscribe to 20GB of storage for $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year, and this plan doesn’t support streaming of music.
Of course, Ubuntu One has a free plan which allows users to have 5GB of free storage. Users can use smartphones and computers to access their files from Ubuntu One. It’s like having additional hard drive or a partition on a computer.
Backing up specific files and folders to Ubuntu One is pretty easy, because you just drag and drop such folders to Ubuntu One folder. When drag and drop files and folders to Ubuntu One folder, you basically retain the original copies on your system, and the backup copies reside on Ubuntu One’s servers (i.e., cloud service).
Whenever you delete files and folders from Ubuntu One folder on your system, the duplicate copies of files and folders on Ubuntu One’s servers will also be deleted. This is how files and folders sync between your Ubuntu system and Ubuntu One’s account. This is why it can be dangerous to delete files and folders inside Ubuntu One folder, unless you do not care of losing these backup files and folders.
You can be extra careful by just leave the files and folders where they are and make copies so you can paste these files and folders to Ubuntu One folder. This way you have three copies of the same files and folders — two on system and one on Ubuntu One’s servers. This way also fills up more space locally!
Anyhow, I’d created a video which briefly goes over Ubuntu One’s features and shows Ubuntu One in action. You can check out the video right after the break.
In my opinion, users should not use Ubuntu One to backup the whole Ubuntu system, because Ubuntu One is more efficient in backing up regular folders and files of users. To backup the whole Ubuntu system efficiently, I recommend users to use Deja Dup backup tool which comes by default with Ubuntu 11.10.
