Backflip - unlimited online storage for automatic backups

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Backflip - unlimited online storage for automatic backups

tigercorp

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#69903 15-Oct-2010 09:41

So I had this land in my inbox this morning - https://www.backflip.co.nz

Pros:
Unlimited online storage for $5 a month, $50 a year. No data charges if your ISP is Slingshot.

Cons:
Files are kept for 14 days only. Not really sure if this deserves to be in the cons, but subscription is per computer.

On the surface it looks pretty good if you're only backing up necessary stuff, rather than the multi TB movie collection.

Anyone see any other good uses or pitfalls?

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#392112 15-Oct-2010 09:53

tigercorp:

Cons:
Files are kept for 14 days only. Not really sure if this deserves to be in the cons, but subscription is per computer.

Dont you mean that deleted files are only kept for 14 days?

Sounds brilliant, will be good to see what sort of speeds you can get over slingshot. I might sign up for a month this weekend and let you know how it goes.

freitasm

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#392115 15-Oct-2010 09:59

I'd say this is a Slingshot product?

I see they claim "unlimited" and there's no mention of limits in the T&Cs page. Also I read the T&Cs and found this funny:

"We may restrict, discontinue or Bar your use of any Services or end this agreement if:
...
You become insolvent, go into receivership, liquidation or bankruptcy"

Funny, because this is a prepaid service, so their only option would really to stop providing the services AFTER you stop paying the bills. If you prepay for a year, then they would not care if you are in liquidation, surely?

Apart from that, good stuff. This is a much needed service in New Zealand. The only other provider I know is Maxnet with www.datalock.co.nz, and IIRC they do unmetered traffic for their customers.

Will Slingshot provide unmetered traffic to Backflip?

nickb800

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#392120 15-Oct-2010 10:11

According to companies office, the only two shareholders in backflip are also minority shareholders in Callplus/Slingshot. So slingshot does not own it, but clearly has a connection hence them being the first partner ISP

As interesting aside, malcom dick, callplus director & founder, also owns 2talk. 2talk's voip service competes with slingshot's italk!

tigercorp

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#392121 15-Oct-2010 10:12

nickb800:
Dont you mean that deleted files are only kept for 14 days?

Whoops, thanks for pointing that out, I was being so skeptical while reading the offering I completely misread that

The service looks even better now!

freitasm

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#392122 15-Oct-2010 10:13

nickb800:
tigercorp:

Cons:
Files are kept for 14 days only. Not really sure if this deserves to be in the cons, but subscription is per computer.

Dont you mean that deleted files are only kept for 14 days?

Sounds brilliant, will be good to see what sort of speeds you can get over slingshot. I might sign up for a month this weekend and let you know how it goes.

Mozy officially says deleted files are kept for 30 days - but in my experience (and from some chat) deleted files are kept for months.

freitasm

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#392124 15-Oct-2010 10:15

Shame it doesn't have a trial. I wouldn't mind comparing upload speeds with Mozy to see if hosting in New Zealand makes any difference really (assuming their storage is hosted in New Zealand).

I currently have 130GB on Mozy.

tigercorp

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#392125 15-Oct-2010 10:15

freitasm:
Will Slingshot provide unmetered traffic to Backflip?

Yep, according to the email "Slingshot customers transfer data for FREE!"

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

nickb800

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#392127 15-Oct-2010 10:20

@Freitasm - But telstraclear dont peer in NZ, do they? I thought most of their traffic went through Aussie even if it is NZ national.

@tigercorp - How did you get this email - as a slingshot customer?

freitasm

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#392129 15-Oct-2010 10:25

nickb800: @Freitasm - But telstraclear dont peer in NZ, do they? I thought most of their traffic went through Aussie even if it is NZ national.

TelstraClear and Telecom peer with large ISPs at some point. They might not peer with smaller ones, or with specific content providers.

Chippo

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#392153 15-Oct-2010 10:57

freitasm: TelstraClear and Telecom peer with large ISPs at some point. They might not peer with smaller ones, or with specific content providers.

Smaller ISPs can choose to pay for peering with either Telecom, TelstraClear or both. Most will either choose to peer pay someone that does for transit.

If the client is good then this looks pretty cool. Be interesting to see how it performs and if "Unlimited" really is.

I work for a global Data Protection Software company - But my opinions are my own.

freitasm

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#392155 15-Oct-2010 10:59

Chippo: Be interesting to see how it performs and if "Unlimited" really is.

I read through the T&Cs and as of today there wasn't any mention of "limit" or "soft limit" or "limited to average of all users" or "fair use" or similar wording...

I know of one solution that is "unlimited" but the fineprint says "fair use is the average of all users" and if you go over too much they will close the account...

nickb800

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#392178 15-Oct-2010 12:02

Righto, Ive signed up for a month.

Notes:
When signing up, the password is entered as text, not with the usual * blanking it out. Disapointing, kinda negates the encryption if your password isnt protected

Client installer is quite large, 37meg, and appears to be java based

The software is a bit sluggish, particularly when selecting files/folders

Heres a pic of the home screen:

Backflip Home screen

Now the backup is in full swing:

Backflip backuping

Note the supposed 100Gig limit on the homescreen

Also note the upload speed, ~800kbits, pretty close to my modem sync speed of ~1000kbits (I am on slingshot dsl in christchurch)

freitasm

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#392179 15-Oct-2010 12:10

Well, not unlimited if there is a limit, then?

nickb800

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#392181 15-Oct-2010 12:19

Its based upon the ACB (A click backup) software, and customised with their brand. Its possible that the limit field is just a function of the software and not enforced. Might take a while to test the limit on a dsl connection though!

hellonearthisman

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#392188 15-Oct-2010 12:47

This is a backup service and not a storage solution. It only is for one computer and if you delete a file from that computer the backup file will be deleted after 14days.

The 100GB will be increases as the user reaches the 100GB limit.

Slingshot users have free bandwidth to this service.

more in the Slingshot forums thread http://forums.slingshot.co.nz/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3868

You could spend $5 and use it for just one month as a trial.

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