I’m happier applying the “lots of copies keeps stuff safe” principle “locally” — by synchronizing between home computers and an external harddrive — and also “remotely”, to my sister’s computer (for in case of fire and theft). That solution also offers remote access (assuming one of the computers is online) but I’ve never needed that facility.

@Zarate, I am also increasingly concerned with privacy. I think the fact that government can look through my life without my permission is really scary. But I think there’s hope for a better president and Congress in 2008. Currently, I still keep my really confidential stuff on my local computer.

It might be interesting to see how online storage changes attitudes to deletion. Until now, I’ve archived-off a DVD of possibly useful data every three months or so and been fairly selective in doing so. Now, whole directories are getting backed-up automatically, including the chaff.

Although it’s crystal clear the advantages (and can only get better in years with better broadbands) i’d be really worried about confidentiality and where my docs and files are.

Google, Amazon, etc. can decide any time they want to modify their service or give up your privacy if the CIA or the FBI request it under whatever anti-terrorism law they fancy.

You might well argue that you don’t have anything to hide in your files, but that’s not the point. The more we give up the more difficult is going to be to recover it.

And keep in mind that your files are probably stores physically in another country, i’d like to know which law applies. UK? USA? EU?

It took less than 2 weeks to get it from America to my door mat - and I could design the label from my PC!

I’m intrigued by the Flickr backup, though - it sounds like you buy a ready-made DVD, rather than downloading/burning manually. Where does this come from??