SpiderOak Tips

SpiderOak works great, but there is one issue which can create a problem. Since it keeps all file changes, files which change frequently, particularly if they are encrypted, can end up taking up a lot of space. I found this with the both my accounting and with my Firefox Bookmarks. The Firefox bookmarks in particular were getting backed up 4 or 5 times a day and after a few months I had hundreds of them stored on SpiderOak. I handled these issues differently. For Firefox, I simply stopped backing up the Bookmarks with SpiderOak, and rely on my in-house backup. For my accounting, I decided to keep all the copies for a couple of months, and then delete all but one for older months. So, I deleted 5 of 6 copies of my August accounting in November.

To get an idea about how you are consuming space, open Spideroak then:

Choose Status
Choose Stats
Check out the 50 most space using folders
Notice how much bigger your backup would be if they didn't compress store only one copy of each file.

If your Stats are not current, then generate them, it only takes a few seconds.

To remove stuff permanently from your backup, choose View and find a folder you don't want to backup. Then click the X for Remove. The Remove window will appear and you can choose whether to remove the folder from the backup and no longer back it up, or simply remove stuff from the backup but continue to back it up.

With my Firefox bookmarks, I decided to stop backing them up entirely.

With My accounting however, I decided to keep backing it up but to remove some of the previous copies from the backup.

So, after highlighting extra backup copies I clicked the X and then Unchecked the "no longer include in future backups" option.

These two actions, cut my backup size in half.

Date: December 2012

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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Home Forms About Current Newsletter subscribe Search All Articles Browse by Category Security Internet Mobile Business Hardware Fun		SpiderOak Tips SpiderOak works great, but there is one issue which can create a problem. Since it keeps all file changes, files which change frequently, particularly if they are encrypted, can end up taking up a lot of space. I found this with the both my accounting and with my Firefox Bookmarks. The Firefox bookmarks in particular were getting backed up 4 or 5 times a day and after a few months I had hundreds of them stored on SpiderOak. I handled these issues differently. For Firefox, I simply stopped backing up the Bookmarks with SpiderOak, and rely on my in-house backup. For my accounting, I decided to keep all the copies for a couple of months, and then delete all but one for older months. So, I deleted 5 of 6 copies of my August accounting in November. To get an idea about how you are consuming space, open Spideroak then: Choose Status Choose Stats Check out the 50 most space using folders Notice how much bigger your backup would be if they didn't compress store only one copy of each file. If your Stats are not current, then generate them, it only takes a few seconds. To remove stuff permanently from your backup, choose View and find a folder you don't want to backup. Then click the X for Remove. The Remove window will appear and you can choose whether to remove the folder from the backup and no longer back it up, or simply remove stuff from the backup but continue to back it up. With my Firefox bookmarks, I decided to stop backing them up entirely. With My accounting however, I decided to keep backing it up but to remove some of the previous copies from the backup. So, after highlighting extra backup copies I clicked the X and then Unchecked the "no longer include in future backups" option. These two actions, cut my backup size in half. Date: December 2012 This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
		I attempt to provide reliable information, but make no warranty as to the accuracy or safety of these articles. I disclaim all legal responsibility for what following these instructions may do. Follow my advice at your own risk