asiaflux.com Blog

In the July edition of Hardware Magazine, Carbonite has been reviewed tops in a shootout with other prominent Backup providers like SOS, Bullguard and Mozy. You can see more at http://www.asiaflux.com/files/carbonite_folder/Carbonite_Reviews.html

Both Carbonite and Mozy were ranked highly amongst the four contenders in terms of ease of use and performance but Carbonite had the added strengths of fast restoration as well as comprehensive support.

Hardware Magazine also put in their 2 cents worth of inputs on the subject of backing up our valuable data. They felt that existing backup methods like CDs and DVDs or portable Hard drives are not entirely risk free and for scenarios like disasters, it might be best to use remote backup tools like Online Backup services to reduce the risk of total loss of our valuable data.

To celebrate this, we at AsiaFlux Networks would like to extend our offer to all.

Please go to www.carbonite.com.sg and use the offer code: asiaflux to get a 30 day free trial of Carbonite Online Backup. After the trial, if you like the service, use the same Offer Code: asiaflux and you will get 2 extra free months with your annual subscription.

I have used the Communicator 9500 and am still using the 9300i. I have to say that after waiting for so long, the latest model in the Communicator series is worth the wait. The E90 is slightly larger in form than the 9300i but still petite against the gargantuan 9500 but it has features aplenty. In fact, almost everything you could have in your Xmas wish list; and more.

- Quad band GSM
- 128Mb RAM on board
- 136Mb on board memory capacity and expandable to 2Gb through micro-SD card
- 16 million colors inner full-sized screen and also 16 million color outer small screen
- user-friendly inner and outer toggle key (much better than the ridiculous joy button on the 9300i)
- 3G, 3.5G, 802.11g, Bluetooth and infrared
- USB2.0
- full QWERTY keyboard
- 2.5mm audio jack, stereo speakers, FM radio
- GPS
- 3.2 mega-pixel outer camera with video, Secondary inner camera for video calls
- Finally, vibration capability!

It runs S60 on Symbian 9.2 which contributes tremendously to improved application compared with its older siblings as well as better User interface and easier add-on enhancements.

The E90 will switch seamlessly any applications you are running between open and closed clamshell modes. That is a huge plus which was irritatingly not available in older Communicator models.

Cannot wait to get my hands one one. They are currently available in some retail outlets in Singapore and I think the retail price without a service plan is S$1488. Very stiff! But worth it. I feel. Or maybe I should wait half a year more and it should be a couple of hundred dollars cheaper. But then Nokia’s pricing for its business phone models have always been at the stratospheric range. Do not know if I can wait that long.

The leading Online Backup Service, Carbonite has officially appointed AsiaFlux Networks as its Singapore Distributor with immediate effect. Over here at AsiaFlux, we are excited to be associated with Carbonite.

We have signed up Challenger IT Stores and they are now stocking Carbonite boxed sets in all their 8 stores. Currently, Carbonite is the only purely Online Backup Service available in boxed sets in Singapore.

I would like to take a moment to clarify that Tivoli Backup Service which is also available in many IT stores is not an Online Backup Service, but rather a Backup Management Software. You need to have an external backup media like a HDD or multi-GigaByte flash drive for it to back up files to. Looking at the specifications and features of Tivoli, it is not too bad a software but unlike Online Backup, there is always the danger of losing your external storage media and all your precious files through theft or damage, accidents or fire.

On a related matter, Hardware Magazine will be doing a shootout test of 4 Online Backup Services; Carbonite, Mozy, SOS and Bullguard. Look out for it in this month’s issue. Do take the time to read the review. You will find it interesting.

In the next couple of months, you will see more reviews of Carbonite done in the various papaers and magazines. Seems that more and more people are starting to recognise the value of Online Backup and the service it offers in protecting valuable personal data.

If you think about it, Online Backup Service is like what Anti-Virus software was a few years back. People either did not recognise its value or they felt that it was not necessary and that events like data loss through storage media damage, theft, accidents etc would never happen to them.

But the truth of the matter is that like what I stated in my previous post, hard disk failure happens more often then we think. And backing up regularly to an external HDD or flash drive is dependent on our remembering to do so. And the worst thing is that very frequently, many of us carry our HDD with us. If our laptop bag were to be stolen (750,000 notebooks are stolen every year worldwide), everything is gone!

On a celebratory note, we at AsiaFlux would like to extend an offer to everyone in Singapore.

For a FREE 30 days trial, go to www.carbonite.com.sg and key in Offer Code: asiaflux

If after the trial period is over and you find Carbonite good, use the same Offer Code: asiaflux and you will get an additional 2 months FREE with your paid yearly subscription.

Why take the risk when you can have peace of mind for less than the price of a McDonalds Value Meal a month.