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The term data refers to information. It is obtained through various methods including surveys, observation, research, and feedback. Data may involve diagrams, statistics, plain text or a combination of these types of information. Data often needs to be preserved for future use. Data stored on a personal computer includes projects, resumes, bank and insurance information, software, digital photographs, games, and music. These types of information may be deleted by mistake, or lost through theft, fire, server crash, tape backup failure, or hard-drive crash. Therefore, backup is crucial for data protection.
Computers and related accessories have greatly simplified the task of data backup. To ensure that data remains safe even if one's computer crashes, it is best to save data in one or more locations. The most commonly used data backup mode so far has been storing data on a floppy disk. This is because floppies are both inexpensive and easy to carry. This method, however, is becoming increasingly obsolete. While some computers still come with a floppy drive, laptops rarely accommodate one.
Individuals who need to store more data can also invest in a zip drive, with zip disks that can be removed. Hard disk drives also serve a similar purpose. Most computers and all laptops now come with CD-RW drive, and with CDs getting cheaper every day one can easily and safely store vital data by burning information onto a CD. A CD can store more data than a floppy.
Another option is online data backup. This form of backup is possible if one has an Internet connection. A dial-up connection is sufficient if one needs to save only small documents. However, for large files it is best to have a broadband connection, as the saving of these files would require a lot of time in case of dial-up connection.
To sum up, individuals can choose from various data backup options, based on the amount of data they need to store, and their budget. Backup is a must because as the adage goes, Better to be safe than sorry.