Question Can I rely on Messenger's space as an external hard drive?

[xilin_0]

Hi
I open this thread regarding my previous question here :
https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/external-hard-drive-issue.3858377/
My straightforward question is: Can I use messaging platforms like Telegram, which offers unlimited storage but has a maximum file size limit of 2 GB, for storing and backing up personal data instead of using other media? Storing 1,000 files, each 2 GB, would require a 2 TB external hard drive. However, I had to consider the challenges of maintaining an external hard drive, such as preventing physical damage, water exposure, power outages, theft, and data loss due to careless handling. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the limited read/write lifespan of hard drives and related issues.

While keeping as many files as possible on Telegram has not been a controversial topic, many channels or groups contain over 10 TB of data (equivalent to five external hard drives with 2 TB each) without any cost. The only significant factors to consider are upload speed and the file format used for long-term health. A friend suggested using ZIP format first, followed by ISO. What is your recommendation on this matter?

 

[punkncat]

Have you taken the time to read through their terms and conditions to see if such is allowed? Is there a time frame for which the data is deleted, etc.? And, is there any expectation of privacy or will it all pretty much be public domain at that point? Privacy issues notwithstanding.

 

[USAFRet]

My straightforward question is: Can I use messaging platforms like Telegram, which offers unlimited storage but has a maximum file size limit of 2 GB, for storing and backing up personal data instead of using other media?

Can you? Probably.

Would I do it? Not a chance.

Just as a simple consideration...what will you do when their terms of service change?
(not if....when)

 

[xilin_0]

Have you taken the time to read through their terms and conditions to see if such is allowed?

I guess there aren't any limitations to this. any user can save in saved message or own private channel.

there a time frame for which the data is deleted, etc.?

I believe nowhere can find that! I also guess millions of users forward stuff from somewhere to his saved message to have it for later.

And, is there any expectation of privacy or will it all pretty much be public domain at that point?

Logically the basic privacy for messengers like Telegram is to protect from personal data.

 

[xilin_0]

Just as a simple consideration...what will you do when their terms of service change?
(not if....when)

I agree, the worst case must be considered!
become wretched.
Honestly, I can't believe it.
If you saw my External HD issue, I m messed up really 😕

 

[USAFRet]

If you saw my External HD issue, I m messed up really

Well, NOW is the time to fix that.

Regarding your data, the general procedure is 3-2-1.

3 copies, on at least 2 different devices, 1 offsite or otherwise unavailable.

My 3rd level 'cloud' is literally a couple of drives, locked in a desk drawer at work.
Macrium Images, and then encrypted.

 

[Rokinamerica]

Well, NOW is the time to fix that.

Regarding your data, the general procedure is 3-2-1.

3 copies, on at least 2 different devices, 1 offsite or otherwise unavailable.

My 3rd level 'cloud' is literally a couple of drives, locked in a desk drawer at work.
Macrium Images, and then encrypted.

And tested to verify your backups work when you actually need them.

 

[USAFRet]

If you saw my External HD issue, I m messed up really

And yes, I saw that.

WHY all those partitions?

 

[xilin_0]

3 copies, on at least 2 different devices, 1 offsite or otherwise unavailable

I'll do . but for now what could I do to retrieve back not all data 10-15% of that make me happy!

Macrium Images, and then encrypted.

Why need MAcrium If I want to have same copy of them ! why not just simply copying and paste to another HD ?
and over the long period of time encryption would not make any problems for decrypting it ?

WHY all those partitions?

1 partition shows another without information!
No hitting no dropping in water nothing .

 

[xilin_0]

I have read several articles and websites comparing Macrium and Acronis, regardless of their costs. Which one would be better for my specific case?

 

[USAFRet]

I have read several articles and websites comparing Macrium and Acronis, regardless of their costs. Which one would be better for my specific case?

I use Macrium exclusively. Have for almost a decade.
It does what I need it to do.

Acronis would also probably work, but Macrium does it for me.



The question remains....what are YOU wanting some tool to do?

 

[xilin_0]

what are YOU wanting some tool to do?

Thanks
Honestly, I need to clone my external disk if possible, I have heard more about Macrium than Acronis .

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks
Honestly, I need to clone my external disk if possible, I have heard more about Macrium than Acronis .

Clone, or backup?
Slightly different.

But Macrium can do either.

 

[xilin_0]

Clone, or backup?
Slightly different.

But Macrium can do either.

sorry for repeating. I have to clone external hard disk for my problem before recovery .

Question - external hard drive issue

HD Brand : WD I apologize for the general topic, but I would like to clarify the issue I am experiencing. I have several external hard drives, and the one I am referring to was purchased 13 years ago. It has not been damaged by water or impact. When I connect it to the USB 3 port on my laptop...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[USAFRet]

sorry for repeating. I have to clone external hard disk for my problem before recovery .

Question - external hard drive issue

HD Brand : WD I apologize for the general topic, but I would like to clarify the issue I am experiencing. I have several external hard drives, and the one I am referring to was purchased 13 years ago. It has not been damaged by water or impact. When I connect it to the USB 3 port on my laptop...

forums.tomshardware.com

You could try Macrium. If the drive is faulty, the process may fail.

Or, HDDSuperClone

HDDSuperClone

Welcome to the home of HDDSuperClone, HDDSuperTool, and HDDSCViewer Overview: HDDSuperClone is an advanced Linux based hard drive cloning/imaging tool. HDDSuperTool is an advanced Linux based hard drive utility tool. HDDSCViewer is Linux based graphical viewer for inspecting progress log files

www.hddsuperclone.com

 

[xilin_0]

You could try Macrium. If the drive is faulty, the process may fail.

Or, HDDSuperClone

HDDSuperClone

Welcome to the home of HDDSuperClone, HDDSuperTool, and HDDSCViewer Overview: HDDSuperClone is an advanced Linux based hard drive cloning/imaging tool. HDDSuperTool is an advanced Linux based hard drive utility tool. HDDSCViewer is Linux based graphical viewer for inspecting progress log files

www.hddsuperclone.com

Thank you! I prefer Macrium. However, since I do not have significant experience with it, does it have a simple GUI that I can easily understand, or should I read a guideline?

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you! I prefer Macrium. However, since I do not have significant experience with it, does it have a simple GUI that I can easily understand, or should I read a guideline?

I found it easy.

 

[xilin_0]

I found it easy.

Ok, I try it, thanks

 

[xilin_0]

Hi
I open this thread regarding my previous question here :
https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/external-hard-drive-issue.3858377/
My straightforward question is: Can I use messaging platforms like Telegram, which offers unlimited storage but has a maximum file size limit of 2 GB, for storing and backing up personal data instead of using other media? Storing 1,000 files, each 2 GB, would require a 2 TB external hard drive. However, I had to consider the challenges of maintaining an external hard drive, such as preventing physical damage, water exposure, power outages, theft, and data loss due to careless handling. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the limited read/write lifespan of hard drives and related issues.

While keeping as many files as possible on Telegram has not been a controversial topic, many channels or groups contain over 10 TB of data (equivalent to five external hard drives with 2 TB each) without any cost. The only significant factors to consider are upload speed and the file format used for long-term health. A friend suggested using ZIP format first, followed by ISO. What is your recommendation on this matter?

Hello everyone,

I would like to avoid starting a new thread regarding this question, so I hope you can help clarify something for me. Suppose, I have a 1 GB folder containing photos, videos, and documents, and I want to upload it somewhere and preserve them for the long term. What is the best way to achieve this? Is it more suitable to use software, or should I follow my friend's suggestion of first creating ZIP files and then converting them to ISO files?

I am very interested in trying this method, and if the format will not be damaged, I would like to add a password to the final ISO file or any other appropriate file format. My main question is: which file format is best for this procedure?

Thank you for your guidance.

 

[USAFRet]

Hello everyone,

I would like to avoid starting a new thread regarding this question, so I hope you can help clarify something for me. Suppose, I have a 1 GB folder containing photos, videos, and documents, and I want to upload it somewhere and preserve them for the long term. What is the best way to achieve this? Is it more suitable to use software, or should I follow my friend's suggestion of first creating ZIP files and then converting them to ISO files?

I am very interested in trying this method, and if the format will not be damaged, I would like to add a password to the final ISO file or any other appropriate file format. My main question is: which file format is best for this procedure?

Thank you for your guidance.

Either way will work.

But...Which method is going to happen more reliably?
By that, I mean...any manual method, you'll forget to do it, or forget some files.

 

[xilin_0]

I apologize for asking too many questions .while I understand the concepts, I sometimes have lingering doubts that could lead to confusion. From your perspective, is using ZIP followed by ISO acceptable, or are there better solutions?I insist on preserving file over long period of time

 

[USAFRet]

I apologize for asking too many questions .while I understand the concepts, I sometimes have lingering doubts that could lead to confusion. From your perspective, is using ZIP followed by ISO acceptable, or are there better solutions?I insist on preserving file over long period of time

It would not be acceptable to me.

Currently, I just do Full drive backup Images.
A full image, followed by a rolling series of Incrementals. I can recover each of the drives, or the whole system, back to any state it was in the last 30 days.