Backing up data from your computer

This information is to help you get your data backed up to keep it safe or

transfer it to a new computer. The three easy steps are:

1. Preparing your data
2. Choosing the best location
3. Copying the data

Step 1: Preparing Your Data

This is a good time to organize and clean up your files.

• Stray Documents

Check the top level of your Hard Drive for any stray documents.  
Double click on Macintosh HD to open. If you have saved any documents in this area, 
move them into your Documents Folder.

• Bookmarks/Favorites

◦ To save Bookmarks in Firefox:

- Select Show all Bookmarks from the Bookmarks menu   

- Click on the Star menu and select Backup...

- Save the exported file to your backup source

◦ To save Bookmarks from Safari:

- Select Export Bookmarks from the file menu
- Save the exported bookmarks to your backup source

◦ To Save Bookmarks from Chrome:

- Select Bookmark Manager from the Bookmarks menu

- Click on the three dots on the far right of the blue bar and select Export Bookmarks

- Save the exported bookmarks to your backup source

• Apple Calendar (not Google Calendar)

If you use Apple Calendar, open the Calendar. Go to File, Export, Calendar Archive…, 
and save to your Desktop or Documents folder.

• Stickies

If you use Stickies, you will need to copy your “StickiesDatabase” to save the 
information.  Start in Finder. Hold down the Option key and click Go in the 
menubar and select Library.  Find a file called, “StickiesDatabase” and copy it 
to your Desktop or Documents folder.

• NotesIf you use the Notes application on your laptop, you may need to sync your notes
through an external account such as iCloud or Google. 

• ExamView

If you use ExamView tests, find your Tests and Banks folder inside the
 ExamView folder (usually located in the Macintosh HD or the Applications Folder.) 
Copy the Tests and Banks folders to your Desktop or Documents folder.

• Personal Applications

Your new computer will come preloaded with the standard district applications. 
You do not need to backup those applications. But do check your applications 
folder for personal applications. You are responsible for any applications that 
you have personally installed on your computer.

Step 2: Determining Where to Put Your Data

To decide which destination is best, consider what kind of data you have,
how much data you have, and do you want this data to be accessible if you are no
longer employed in the district.

• Kind of Data

Do you have only work related data and documents, or both both work-related 
and personal data?
 

• How much data?

Data transfer is faster for some options and slower for other.  If you have a lot of data
transfer times may be more important. (For example, 100GB may take an hour to transfer
to an external hard drive, but that same 100GB could take several hours to transfer to
Google Drive.)
 

• Availability and future access?
We discuss three options: District Server Space, External Hard Drive, and Google Drive.

 District Server Space (files01)

- District managed

- Only available on AAPS network

- Unable to access after leaving District

- Secure

- Mid-range transfer rates

Google Drive

- District managed

- Available wherever internet is accessible (work/home)

- Unable to access after leaving District

- Secure

- Transfer rate dependent on internet speed.

External Hard Drive

- User managed 
- Available anywhere if you have the drive 
- Goes with you after leaving District 
- Higher risk of drive failure or loss/theft 
- Faster transfer rate 

Step 3: Backing Up Your Data Using Your Method of Choice below
Follow a link below for written or video instructions on how to back
up your files....

Back up to District Server	Link to Handout	Video Link
Back up to Google Drive	Link to Handout	Video Link
Back up to External HD	Link to Handout	Video Link