Backup -Into the Cloud

Personal backup/storage solutions

Recently I decided it was time to store my important information ‘in the cloud’.  I developed some requirements and did some research and below are my findings.

Requirements:

·         Use with Mac PC, iPad, Android and iPhone

·         Sync my documents folder between all devices

·         Be able to store/backup my iphoto picture library.  (20,000 pictures)

·         Be able to login with my current email address and not have to manage a new one

Google Drive looks cost effective at $60/year for 100GB, but it is linked to a google account.  I don’t like this because I have several google accounts, none of which are my primary email account. I also don’t like that they want the pictures stored in Picassa.  I don’t want to use picassa.

Drop Box meets all my needs, but at $99/year for 100GB it is pricy. 

Microsoft Skydrive has a client for Mac, PC, iphone, ipad and is $50/year for 100GB.

I will be giving Skydrive a test run. 
Please let me know if there is anything additional I should consider.

2013 Technology Resolutions

Here are my technology resolutions for 2013:

Stop carrying around a laptop - My last two trips where I carried my laptop bag, I didn't end up using my laptop.  I could do everything with my iPad or Phone.  I need to take the plunge and leave the laptop at home.

Get those pictures backed up - If my computer dies, I have my 20,055 pictures backed up, but I have a feeling that getting them back in a organized usable state won't be as easy as it should be.  If I change the software I'm using for photo management, I want to be able to pull in the photos from a backup.  So, I need to figure this out.  Ideally, I would like my backup to have photos in a standard format, with all the associated metadata (dates, geotags, etc.).  

Find a better way to manage passwords - I have been hesitating using software to manage my passwords because I access sites from a variety of platforms and I doubt I can find any password management software that would work on my Mac, PC, iPhone, Surface, etc.  I try to keep different passwords for different sites, and I'm forced to do this anyway because of the different rules imposed regarding case, special characters, size and numbers.  I keep most passwords in a secret file, but I don't like this solution.  It seams really vulnerable.  

Better manage incoming email - I have about six email accounts. I don't have all email accounts on all devices, for example, I don't have my work email on my iPad, and I don't have any of my personal email on my work laptop. The account I give to my friends I want to check more often than the one I give to those sites that require registration.  I currently check everything often.  I have a friend who cleans out their inbox every day, and automatically flags items from their boss as 'important', and puts a reminder on other emails so they respond in a timely manner.

I happy to say I mastered last years resolution of automating my finances and eliminating my checkbook.   If you have any thoughts on this years tasks, I would love to hear it!