cloud storage options

I think something like Backblaze or Carbonite may be what you need, to make a backup copy in the cloud of your files. But make sure whatever you use also backs up everything in your user directory, not just Documents. Note that emails and other important things are stored in your Library folder, inside your user folder, not just in Documents. You also have folders for Pictures, Music, Library (which stores email among other things), Desktop, Downloads etc. You will want these all backed up. A good backup solution would enable a complete recovery of your Mac on a new disk by (a) new fresh OS install + (b) restore of ALL user files. Programs like Time Machine and SuperDuper and Carbon Copy Cloner enable this. Your cloud backup should also.

You could move all those custom folders (without changing what is inside them) you have set up in your Home directory to reside instead inside the Documents folder, if Backblaze or other options look to back up what is in the Documents folder. It would be more of a cosmetic change for your workflow than anything else.

srlanza55 wrote:

That's my last resort option, it had occurred to me to consider that. My preference is to leave everything where it's currently located to avoid needing an extra step when copying files. If I can't find an option that allows me to leave all my files & folders in their current location, I'll need to move everything into the Documents folder.

Thanks for your assistance.

SFR

I would think of iCloud Drive as more of a sync service, not a backup service.

If you value your user data, 3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

I deal with folks that refuse to modify their workflows to accommodate future tech that may actually benefit them. You may be stuck in your ways and unless you are open to options that may simplify your digital life down the road, then you'll always be grappling with your predicament. Change is the only constant. If you don't change, you will not adapt.

I use both iCloud and Dropbox. Both required some (small) adjustments to my workflow in the beginning, and now I can't ever go back to my old ways.

iCloud is not as robust as Dropbox. Dropbox also has an excellent feature to restore deleted files from long ago. I don't consider iCloud to be a true backup solution, but I can see it working fine for the average user. It's certainly safer than say, using an external drive that eventually fails and you lose all your data.

Dropbox IS a backup solution for me, given my needs. I know that even if I accidentally delete something, I still have the ability to retrieve it again. As it is not an on-site solution, I sleep at nights knowing that my data is safe, redundant, and not beholden to my house burning down, getting robbed and my computer/hardware stolen, or hardware failure. I love the control that Dropbox gives me to manage exactly what is kept on my Mac versus being left out of sight on the cloud. To each their own.

Yes, both Dropbox and iCloud require some small changes to your workflow. So what? The pros outweigh the cons. So you have a folder in your home directory with all your files? So just drag it into your documents folder, or into your Dropbox folder and move on? The only change will be that instead of going to your home folder, you go to your documents, or Dropbox folder. Is it that much of a change?

You really should try the change and stick with it for a while. Worst case, you're right back to where you were.

No, iCloud is not a backup mechanism. Get an external drive for your backups.

srlanza55 wrote:

I have an external drive that I use w/Time Machine, have used that for more than 10 years. I want an offsite - preferably cloud - solution to store an additional copy of important files.

Use any of the cloud offerings, iCloud, DropBox, GoogleDrive, OneDrive, etc. But don't consider these backups since you have no control over them, thier security, and their availability. Maintain your own backup on a local external drive, a network drive, and offsite storage of backup drives.