The next step was to run Time Machine, Apples Leopard and above integrated backup application. I love the Time Machine interface and the whole concept of time travel coinciding with the process of backing up is sheer geekgasm. Time Machine works by essentially taking snap shots of the system as it stands, files folders etc as the exist at present are recorded and indexed by date. A wonderful Apple interface allows you to “go back and forward in time” to retrieve and restore files as needed. It all works wonderfully well and as I write this the process is running on my system : ) Time Machine required an external hard drive formatted as HFS+ Journal and I suggest getting a drive with as much space as possible. Once full Time Machine will start replacing older backups with newer ones informing you of such before it happens. It is an extremely useful way of maintaining a record of your files as they are at present.

In addition to having an incremental system snapshot facility with Time Machine it is also highly advised to have a complete clone of a given hard drive. A clone of a system drive not only means that you have a working copy of all your data files but that all of the applications and system settings will be maintained. To implement my drive clones I use Carbon Copy Cloner which is available for free for personal & educational use. CCC offers many advanced and useful features but the basic premise of offering a bootable clone of your main system drive is the key feature available. CCC provides functionality for block level copying of data which means that not all of a given file need be backed up once changed, only the blocks effected. This has greater significance with larger files but makes the whole backup process quicker. The initial backup or cloning of a drive can take some time but incremental changes thereafter are relatively quick. Carbon Copy Cloner is fantastic application offering an intuitive and clean user interface, it provides backup functionality for just about every need and is free for personal use. Customer testimonials suggest that it is very reliable and a provides for hassle free backups and indeed restores when the need arises.

The final component of my backup strategy is Mozy. Any competent backup process will involve the backing up of data to off site locations – I had already signed up with Mozy and their US backup facilities but recently Mozy offered backup for UK and Ireland residents to local European servers. The main reason for this was to comply with European backup law but it also means that people based in the UK like myself have a faster backup procedure available to them. Mozy is widely considered one of the best backup solutions on the Mac platform, a recent study by MacFormat magazine identified Mozy as the most Mac like backup application and I have to agree. Mozy offers 2GB of backup storage for free, you simply need to sign up for an account and paid solutions start at £4.99 a month for unlimited backup of one computer. All user data is encrypted locally with military-grade encryption prior to transfer via 128-bit SSL connection. Users can choose a managed encryption key or choose a personal key for added security. Data is stored in state-of-the-art data centers that employ the highest security standards and are SAS70 or ISO certified. MozyHome the version for personal use and the one which I am using installs as an application and provides access to backup configuration through a menu bar item. All that is required is to select what is to be backed up, when, using how much bandwidth and you are good to go. Backups can be scheduled to take place during the night for example, with initial backups taking days or weeks depending on how much data needs to be seeded.

The development of a more robust backup plan has left me feeling a lot less worried about my critical data, I strongly urge everyone to explore the options available for themselves and take the necessary steps to implement a plan that suits you. Whatever you go with I guarantee you will feel better about it.

The Gorillapod is a small flexible tripod system which can be used in conjunction with any device with a standard tripod mount connection, digital cameras, camcorders etc. It supports devices up to 325g and stands 15 × 3 × 3cm making it very portable. The build quality is fantastic the unique tripod legs configurable into just about any setup configuration while providing a sturdy frame for video shooting. The diagram below outlines some of the key features:

The Gorillapod provides a unique locking system to make sure that whatever device is attached to the tripod it is secure while shooting. This makes attachment of devices quick and easy while at the same time providing a degree of security.

All in all I find the device invaluable for quick desk based videos and I’m sure I will be able to find other uses such as a quick method of steady image capture also using the Zi8. At just under £20 it is very affordable and highly recommended.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Hama 61 folds to just 60cm while at full extension it stands 153cm tall – this provides a compact solution for carrying and transport while offering a good fixed height for recording while set up. The frame is sturdy and solid and the feet are designed to grip and adjust to the ground they are placed on via a self leveling process. Placement is aided by two built in spirit levels, allowing for precision recording and the legs have quick release mechanisms for quick setup and packing up. The camera/camcorder plate has a quick release mechanism for attachment purposes and the screw mechanism has a nice drop down screw to make things quick and easy.

The center column has a three way tilt/pan/flip head that works a treat allowing for professional pans and overall excellent movement – some of the cheaper priced tripods suffer from a jerky mechanism but the Hama is smooth with optional tightening mechanisms to control speed of movement. The carry case is a nice addition and has a full length should strap which makes carrying effortless and the unit itself has an integrated handle. Weighing in at just 1.2kg the unit never feels heavy while providing a solid dependable frame.

The Hama 61 will provide me with an excellent tool to develop professional movies with, videos produced with my Zi8 now have an extra level of polish. The Hama 61 retails for £30 but has features and a build quality of tripods at double that price and more. If you’re looking for a quality tripod solution at an affordable price look no further.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars