Whether you know it or not, you are working in the Cloud every day. Yes, even those of you who are not so computer-savvy are making great use of what’s now floating in abundance around us as we tap away on our notepads, smartphones and laptops. Just the very simple notion of using an email provider is what sends us this way. Did you even know that your Yahoo, Hotmail or Gmail was actually running in the Cloud?
Maybe…maybe not. Most of us have been used to using interoffice types of programs, and know that they run on premise. However, when access to the internet exploded and became available to all with unlimited power unleashed through machines we were all able to purchase and take home, the game plans changed. Now, everything runs somewhere else, not on your machine.
Keeping Gmail Backed Up and Safe
So, what does this mean? All those emails you send and receive actually reside on some server or machine whose location you know nothing of. That machine could be sitting in Timbuktu, for all you know. Most likely, it’s on a server local to your city; but there are no guarantees. Big Data and usage analysis is making Cloud computing more powerful. This means if you want to make sure you won’t lose your emails and information you’ve collected over years of correspondence, and you just don’t trust the machines floating around Cloud, then you should think seriously about backing it all up.
If you have Gmail, the best way to do this is with a tool that makes is easy and simple, and Backup Gmail is all that. Download the app on your Mac, which is only venue upon which it’s available, currently. Setup the Gmail account for which you wish to allow backups onto your Mac. There are several options on how often and where to place the backup locally. By creating a local copy of all your Gmail data, you make it safe, and easy accessible, when and where you need it.
Configuring Gmail Backup for Mac
Details on configuration include the ability to backup on an hourly or daily basis. You can select folders that become the destination of your data. Customize in a way that works best for you. This is your safety net, should Gmail’s servers go down and you lose access to your stuff in the Cloud. The app also features a small but handy menu bar that allows for quick access and speedy changes to your backups. It even supports multiple Gmail accounts, if needed.
There really is no painful downside to this app. You have to pay 1.99, but for that price, you are getting a great deal of value. It works on OS X 10.7 and newer, so for those of you running on older versions, you are locked out. Maybe it’s time to upgrade. If that is not a possibility, a donation to the creator may incite some interest for support.
But in the grand scheme of things, this app works wonderfully. It lives up to its name of being silent and effective. Never wait to access your Gmail. It’s all there when you need it, even if you don’t have internet connectivity.
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