Backing up blog files...duh?

[tek95969]

Ok, so after so many years now of being computer literate (my first was an Apple 2c, still have it somewhere), you would think I would know what is involved in backing up important files. Well, I have copied some stuff on to discs and whenever I had any repair work done they would back stuff up for me on to discs. But as far as any real plan, I am clueless! I'm embarrassed to say it's a real hodgepodge approach when I attempt to do it.
My question is this- what files do I need to regularly back up for my sites and blogs and where should I go to find them. I do have a WD Passport 500GB portable drive that I have used to transfer files from system to system and was thinking maybe I should be using it to do backups also, at least until I have a more permanent solution.
Reason I ask is, well you can figure that one out, I wiped out some files for one of my sites by mistake and have know way I can figure out how to fix it.
So go ahead and hammer on me but I need some help...

TIA -
Phil

[lindastacy]

This is what I do. I back up my blog databases once a week (and right before performing a WP upgrade). I keep a local copy of the blog files and all my HTML sites. All of those files are stored on my hard drive and organized in folders by site.

I have a program that automatically backs up my hard drive to an external drive once a week.

I've been thinking about adding the next layer of protection; off site storage. There are services you can use online to back up everything which is probably what I'll go with.

[Adriana]

Phil,

You only need to back up files once, or when you change something. But you need to back up your database on a regular basis.


You can learn how to do your database backup from here: http://codex.wordpress.org/Backing_Up_Your_Database

Or, you can use this a plugin that will do database backups for you, on your schedule: http://ilfilosofo.com/blog/wp-db-backup/ You can get the backup sent to your email, saved to your server, etc.

HTH

[AlexNewell]

Adriana has give the link to the wp plugin I use. I get an email once a week for each of my WordPress blogs with my back up zipped and attached.

And all my files on my computer ( apart from program files) are backed up online by Carbonite.

Hard drive backups are OK but I've found them a hassle in the past whereas using an online backup like Carbonite or Mozy is effortless.

I like effortless

:-)

[AlexNewell]

Me again :-)

"I wiped out some files for one of my sites by mistake and have know way I can figure out how to fix it."

What kind of files?

Were these files uploaded or not?

Alex

[wade_watson]

In the WordPress dashboard, you can go to Tools > Export and download the XML file that allows you to back up your WP site locally, if that's what you mean. This only backs up text files, however. As far as I know, there's no easy way to back up the WordPress Media Library, though, so you might have to save images individually. I hope this is an ovesight someone comes up with a solution to soon.

Wade