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Backup | ScrivenerVirgin

I adopt a belt and braces approach to everything.

  • It’s rare for us to run out of the essentials: coffee, loo rolls or alcohol. I overstock.
  • I subscribe to an online Backup service so I can rest easy knowing I can access my files from any machine, anywhere in the world.
  • I set up Auto-save … and Automatic Backups … on all software.
And then the MacPro died while we were on holiday.
  • What did I lose? About 6 hours work on a Red Pen Editing Tutorial: Point of View.
  • Why? Not because I hadn’t put on my belt and braces …

As with all software, Scrivener offers both an Auto-save option and automatic backups. Access these via Scrivener / Preferences.

Scrivener Preferences

It opens on the General tab, and ‘Saving‘ is item 2.

Autosave

On the ‘Backup‘ tab, there are also three options.

Auto backups

This all seems perfect, except that my online backup only backs up files when I have Internet access and, on that day, I had none – which meant I did no research, didn’t post on Facebook or check my Twitter feed. I just wrote and wrote and wrote.

At the end of that day, I had a dead MacPro. When it’s mended, I might be able to retrieve something, but the POV Editing Tutorial was scheduled for 18/20 January and I didn’t have the time to wait for Apple to mend my laptop.

Lessons learned?
  • Prepare my tutorials even earlier in advance.
  • Make sure I have Internet access …
  • Don’t go on holiday?
Questions? Need a helping hand? Want a demo?

To watch me demonstrating how to back up or to ask any questions, book a  Simply Scrivener Special.

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6 Comments
  • Patsy

    24 January 2016 at 20:42

    My work backs up automatically to an external hard drive … when I’m at home. I prefer to leave that at home when we’re away in case something happens to the laptop and as we’re away quite a lot that leaves a gap.

    I’ve only just realised this – I’d better invest in a second hard drive, hadn’t I?

    • Patsy

      24 January 2016 at 20:54

      Just ordered it.

  • Nicola

    24 January 2016 at 12:52

    I learned this lesson a long time ago. I wrote my Masters dissertation and lost 70% of the work due to a technical malfunction. This corrupt my USB stick too!! After hours of screaming, panicking and crying and a week until the absolute deadline, I ran out bought a new computer and pulled at least three all nighters. I got it done, thank goodness and achieved an extremely pleasing grade. So now, I back up in multiple ways. I have 3 different hard drives as well as emailing myself my latest update – with Scrivener this can be a bit messy due to its nature but better to be safe than sorry. Plus, I don’t think I could work without Scrivener now. Thanks for the interesting post!!

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