Field Notes / backups
Backups that are easy to maintain
A second copy is useful only when you can restore it.
Decide what cannot be replaced
Photos, personal documents and unfinished work deserve a different approach from software that can be downloaded again. Make a list of the folders that contain unique material. Include application exports when the application stores its data in a private format.
Keep independent copies
Use more than one storage location, with at least one copy separate from the device you use every day. A drive that stays connected all the time can be affected by the same accident as the computer. Keep a recent offline copy when practical, and protect portable media from loss.
Practice a small restore
Once a month, choose a few ordinary files and restore them into a temporary folder. Open each file and check that its contents are intact. Record the date and location of the test. This is more informative than a reassuring completion message from a backup program.