There’s a lot of stuff that Fwd:Vault can do, and some of it simply won’t be obvious unless you know about it in advance. So if you really want to dig in deep on Fwd:Vault’s functionality, check out the new Documentation section. Links to the new manual have been added to the public sections of the site and your private login, so you’ll always be able to reach it.

This first version covers all the basics, and almost certainly includes features and hints you weren’t aware of. Take the email backup system, for example. Did you know that you can search your Vault from your email? Do you know how to recover any file or message with a code in the subject line?

We’ll continue adding articles as we add new features and functions. The brand new Attachment Filters feature has already gotten an entry.

I can hear you saying, “But you just had your big launch yesterday.” Phooey and p-shaw, we say! We don’t rest on our laurels. So after getting right on top of some minor display issues this morning, we’re moving onto new hotness.

This time we’re introducing a way to handle those recurring worthless attachments. You know the ones we’re talking about: embedded background images in HTML messages, or image-based signatures from those “make a fancy email signature” services.

Enter Fwd:Vault’s new Attachment Filters. When a junk backup happens like the ones we described above, you can create a filter to prevent that file from being saved again. All you have to do is check the box labeled “Don’t save this file again.”

A filter will be created automatically when the file is deleted.

Note that filters are ignored when backing up through the “Upload” page on the website.

You can review, edit, and delete any of your filters by going to the “My Account” page and clicking “Attachment filters” in the sidebar.

Freebie accounts can create a single filter, but that limit is removed for Pro Vault users.

Update: We’ve added more details on Attachment Filters to our new System Documentation.

Well the day has finally come! After 14 months in development, we have rolled out our first commercial-grade backup package, conveniently called the Pro Vault. With pretty much unlimited everything, we figured we’d start with the full monty, so to speak. If you’re looking for something more economical, you have nothing to worry about, we have more pricing plans in the works. In the meantime, you can sign up for a free account and try things out.

Beta users
If you were in our Beta, be sure to check your email. There’s some important notes about how your account will be handled moving forward, plus some really nice beta-only discounts.

Thanks for checking us out, and be sure to let us know if you have any problems or questions!

Every time you back up files or email by sending data to vault@fwdvault.com, we email you a receipt confirming that we got it and stored it. This message also contains the Recover Codes — a unique one is assigned to every message and file — which you can use to have Fwd:Vault automatically email your stuff back to you.

Before today, these receipts were sent on a 1:1 basis, i.e. every email sent to us resulted in a confirmation being sent back to you. Today we’re happy to announce that you can now receive these notices in batches. Less mail to filter, and more information packed into a single message. Win-win!

If you log into your Vault, and go to the My Account page, you’ll find a new option under “Personal Info,” where you may now choose to have this storage confirmation info sent to you on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

Note that instant notifications are delivered to the address from which the message was sent, but the other options all go to your primary email address. “Instant” is still the default setting, so you’ll have to log in to change it.

Of course, we’d love to hear what you think, so drop a comment below or visit the contact page.

Advertising on the web is pretty ubiquitous, but in my opinion, sometimes site owners go a little overboard on the size and number of ads they present to a user on a page. I’m one of those people who almost never clicks ads (I’m really frugal), so having to look at them is simply distracting. Fortunately, the Firefox web browser has a simple, free plugin that will completely eliminate ads from most of your browsing experience automatically.

It’s called Adblock Plus, and it’s one of my most highly recommended Firefox addons. Getting set up is easy:

1. Download and install Firefox.
2. Open Firefox, and browse to the Adblock Plus addon page.
3. A popup window will confirm the installation. Click the “Install” button in the bottom right.
4. Restart Firefox.
5. After you restart, you should be presented with a screen to select a filter subscription. In the US the best selection is EasyList, listed first. Check the radio box next to the name, and hit “Subscribe” button at the bottom.
6. You’re done! Enjoy browsing without ads!

One caveat: Just like any security software, Adblock isn’t perfect. I have seen ads sneak through the filters, and I have seen it block images that weren’t actually ads. That second one is the real danger. If you visit a site and something just doesn’t seem right, you should disable blocking for that site and see if that doesn’t fix things. Adblock installs a button on the toolbar for just such occasions:

If you have problems, you should check out the FAQ and documentation for assistance, as most problems can be rectified there. If you don’t find any answer there, visit their forums and look a little more (chances are someone else had the same problem). Then, if all efforts are fruitless, post your question and get some help.