How to Back Up Your Data

You can back up your data to CD-ROM which will hold 650MB or DVD which will hold 4400MB. The Australia Telescope National Facility keeps a copy of all observations on CD-ROM at the observatory (the `archive copy') and another copy in the ATOA archive ^f in Sydney. You are requested to make a CD-ROM copy of your data as soon as possible after the observations so that it can be deleted as soon as the archive has been made. It is also possible for dinosaurs to copy their data to Exabyte tape. To make a copy of your data, perform the following steps:

• wait until your observations are finished - you do not want the backup process to try to copy an open data file;
• if necessary, open the EXPORTS gui on FURIOUS;
• click on the `update' button to ensure that the list of available files is the most recent;
• select the files you want to copy by clicking on them. Note that a total size of 650MB is the safe limit for CDs, and 4400MB for DVDs;
• select the actions you want performed by clicking on the appropriate buttons on the Exports display. For example, you need to specify whether the backup is to go to a CD-ROM or to a DVD. For further information, the WWW page on Exports may be useful;
• if you wish to make a DVD, remove one from the spindle of DVDs and load it onto the top of the archiving station's reserve stack of CDs.
• execute the button
• your data should be copied within a few minutes;
• at the end of the backup, a directory of the backup and CD cover will be printed to the HP colour printer.

Further information about the archiving system can be found on the ATNF web pages.