I love Carbonite. My desktop bit the big one a few days ago. I can easily assess all my files, photos, etc. from my laptop and download them as needed. Or just keep them stored at Carbonite. No fear of loss of data.
In fact, I can go to anybody's computer, log into the virtual hard-drive at Carbonite, and download files onto somebody else's computer as well. So it's also an easy way to share files.
I especially like the fact that I don't have to do anything after initial set-up. You just set it up upon install and then your files are continuously backed-up in the background, automatically. Never have to do a thing, remember to back-up, or anything. Easy-peasy.
If a local service offered the same ease and features, I'd jump-ship in a heartbeat just because I'd rather support local business. But not if I have to do much work to ensure my back-up is current.
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"If a 'right' exists for me, but not for thee, then it's not a right but a privilege.' - Fred Clark