.SMART TECH
Protect all those
precious moments
What is it?Google
Photos
How much?Free for
photos up to 16MP
Pros:The fastest way
to make sure your photos
get backed up is to use a
service like this. It instan-
taneously uploads your
snaps (and videos) from
your smartphone or PC to
thecloud.It’scross-plat-
form and free for unlim-
ited photo storage (up to
16MP), giving you a great
online repository in case
the worst happens.
Cons:If you want to store
images that are higher
in resolution than 16MP,
then you’ll have to pay for
Google Drive storage.
photos.google.comI
have a confession to make. Despite
my frequent advice in this column to
always back up personal data, bad luck
unfortunately struck. My wife hadn’t
backeduphersmartphoneforafew
months,andthedevicegotaccidentally
wiped,meaningwelostafewmonths’
worthofphotos.Notahugedealbutin
thiscaseitmeantwelostalotofpicsof
ourtoddlergrowingup,whichwasabit
sad. (Ironically enough, it was the tod-
dler who inadvertently wiped the phone!
But that’s another story.)
Itgotmetothinkingofalltheways
we could have prevented this happening
–littlesafeguardsIcouldhaveeasily
putinplacetomakesurethephotos
were duplicated before they’d had a
chance to get deleted. To be honest, it’s
really easy to make sure the same thing
doesn’t happen to you. There are apps
that can instantly back up your photos
–plusallyourotherimportantdata–to
thecloud.Attheveryleast,youshould
keepalocalbackuponanexternal
hard drive. Don’t be the guy writing
this column!PETER DOCKRILLWhat is it?Dropbox
How much?From
$11.58amonthfor1TB
Pros:We’ve now got
photos backed up to the
cloud but all our other data
is only backed up on one
external drive. It’s not a
badideatohaveinplace
a secondary cloud backup
such as Dropbox, then all
your data is only ever a
download away if you lose
your local copy.
Cons:The downside
with subscription services
istheongoingcost–in
that case they’re much
like an insurance policy.
But irreplaceable personal
data is one thing that’s
definitely worth insuring.
dropbox.comWhat is it?Seagate
BackupPlusHub(4TB)
How much?$229
Pros:Backing up photos
onlineisagoodplanfor
safeguarding your snaps,
but what about keeping
a local copy, plus storing
allyourotherimportant
personal data? The sim-
plestbackupplanisto
bulk-copy all your photos
andotherfilestoyour
computer, then duplicate
that to an automated,
mirror-image backup on
a roomy external drive.
Cons:None – but bear in
mind that a local backup
such as this is vulnerable
if it’s the only duplicate
you have.
seagate.comWhat is it?Take your dog on
awalkthatwillhelpsavethe
livesofanimalsinneed.
On Sunday, May 21, this
annual event will kick off
to help raise funds for the
care of more than 35,000
animals. More than 70
different walks are planned
across the country, so check out
your nearest route on millionpawswalk.
com.au.Registrationonthedaywill
cost$30forafamilyor$20peradult
and$10perchild(freeforkidsunder
three). Registration is cheaper online so
grab your earlybird tickets now.Whereyourmoney
oes:The walk was held
forthefirsttimein1994
and since then it has
attracted tens of thou-
sands of supporters each
year. All funds raised
through event activities,
donations and merchandise
salesgotowardshelpingour
furry friends, including those that
have been abused or neglected, or are
homeless, elderly or socially isolated.
How to donate:Tomakeadona-
tion or register, visit the website
millionpawswalk.com.au.GIVE IT UP
THIS MONTH
Lookingforgoodsthatwere
builttolast?BuyMeOnceisa
curated online marketplace
that only carries products of
the highest quality. Its mission
is to promote quality over
quantity and to teach users
howtotakecareoftheirthings
so they last a lifetime.STEPH NASHSMART SPENDING
RSPCA MillionPawsWalk