--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Backups are for wimps. Real men upload…" description: "\"Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it.\" — Linus Torvalds" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/linus-torvalds-1512_backup_backups-are-for-wimps-real-men-upload-th_3210045.jpg" --- # Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an… ![“Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it.” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/linus-torvalds-1512_backup_backups-are-for-wimps-real-men-upload-th_3210045.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/linus-torvalds-1512_backup_backups-are-for-wimps-real-men-upload-th_3210045.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/linus-torvalds-1512_backup_backups-are-for-wimps-real-men-upload-th_3210045.jpg) > “Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it.” [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates bold, decentralized data sharing over cautious backups, emphasizing community mirroring. **In simple terms:** Strong sharing beats weak backups. Key Takeaway Prioritize open collaboration. Themes technology collaboration risk Mood pragmatic technical Type technical motivational When to use this quote - software deployment - team projects - disaster recovery planning Key Concepts decentralization data integrity open source Questions to Reflect On - Is redundancy always safer? - How to balance openness with security? A Different Perspective Risk of data loss if mirrors fail. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Backup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backup/) [Backups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backups-1810462/) [Backups Wimps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backups-wimps-5993949/) [Data](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/data/) [Data Ftp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/data-ftp-5993950/) [Ftp Site](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ftp-site-5993951/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Upload](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-upload-5993952/) [Mirrors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mirrors/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-men/) [Site](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/site/) [Wimps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wimps/) ## Related quotes > [When I write a script, I have all the old versions of the script on my laptop. They're saved as backups in case something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-joy/when-i-write-a-script-i-have-all-the-old-versions-of-the-script-on-my/) [Lisa Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-joy/) > [In 2001, the hard disk on my laptop crashed, and everything on it was lost. I'd been using the computer for two, almost three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caterina-fake/in-2001-the-hard-disk-on-my-laptop-crashed-and-everything-on-it-was/) [Caterina Fake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caterina-fake/) > [I never take the stage without wearing my widebrim tan hat. I actually have multiple backups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/i-never-take-the-stage-without-wearing-my-widebrim-tan-hat-i-actually/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [I spend a lot of time on my phone, so I have two Mophie backups myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-baker/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-on-my-phone-so-i-have-two-mophie-backups-myself/) [Sean Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-baker/) > [Only wimps use tape backup. REAL men just upload their important stuff on ftp and let the rest of the world mirror it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/only-wimps-use-tape-backup-real-men-just-upload-their-important-stuff/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The most dangerous men on earth are those who are afraid they are wimps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gilligan/the-most-dangerous-men-on-earth-are-those-who-are-afraid-they-are/) [James Gilligan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gilligan/) > [“Havin' fun ain't for wimps!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrell-adams-my-uncle/havin-fun-ain-t-for-wimps/) [Darrell Adams (my uncle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrell-adams-my-uncle/) > [I have undeniable evidence that many have awakened as a result of my raising hell. Raising hell is SO American rock-and-roll. And of course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/i-have-undeniable-evidence-that-many-have-awakened-as-a-result-of-my/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [Ethics is not for wimps. It's not easy being a good person. That's why it's such a lofty goal and an admirable achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/ethics-is-not-for-wimps-it-s-not-easy-being-a-good-person-that-s-why/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [I still want to write Clint Eastwood a letter saying, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry for all us wimp actors. You're the truth.' I guarantee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/i-still-want-to-write-clint-eastwood-a-letter-saying-i-m-sorry-i-m/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [I'm really quite conscious of clothes and the way they fit and don't regret wearing anything. Not even the five-inch stack heels I wore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccloud/i-m-really-quite-conscious-of-clothes-and-the-way-they-fit-and-don-t/) [Kevin McCloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccloud/) > [Lunch? You gotta be kidding. Lunch is for wimps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lunch-you-gotta-be-kidding-lunch-is-for-wimps/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Hobbies are for wimps who don’t have the guts to follow their passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-thomas/hobbies-are-for-wimps-who-don-t-have-the-guts-to-follow-their-passion/) [Valerie Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-thomas/) > [I think of myself as being a bit of a wimp deep down - a bourgeois wimp - and I'm fighting that. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/i-think-of-myself-as-being-a-bit-of-a-wimp-deep-down-a-bourgeois-wimp/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [Everyone thinks I'm a wimp and even my own band hates me. Oh, well. I guess I'll just flip 'em the bird!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-francis/everyone-thinks-i-m-a-wimp-and-even-my-own-band-hates-me-oh-well-i/) [Black Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-francis/) ## More by Linus Torvalds > [Once you realize that documentation should be laughed at, peed upon, put on fire, and just ridiculed in general, then, and only then, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/once-you-realize-that-documentation-should-be-laughed-at-peed-upon/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-fundamentally-open-source-does-tend-to-be-more-stable/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/programmers-are-in-the-enviable-position-of-not-only-getting-to-do/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The NIH syndrome (Not Invented Here) is a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-nih-syndrome-not-invented-here-is-a-disease/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The correct form factor for a laptop is obviously 12" and 2 lbs, and I don't understand why everybody gets that wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-correct-form-factor-for-a-laptop-is-obviously-12-and-2-lbs-and-i/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Hmmm, completely a-religious - atheist. I find that people seem to think religion brings morals and appreciation of nature. I actually think it detracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/hmmm-completely-a-religious-atheist-i-find-that-people-seem-to-think/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [People will realize that software is not a product; you use it to build a product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/people-will-realize-that-software-is-not-a-product-you-use-it-to/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I claim that Mach people (and apparently FreeBSD) are incompetent idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-claim-that-mach-people-and-apparently-freebsd-are-incompetent-idiots/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [There are "extremists" in the free software world, but that's one major reason why I don't call what I do "free software" any more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-extremists-in-the-free-software-world-but-that-s-one-major/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Real quality means making sure that people are proud of the code they write, that they're involved and taking it personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/real-quality-means-making-sure-that-people-are-proud-of-the-code-they/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I have one very basic rule when it comes to "good ideas". A good idea is not an idea that solves a problem cleanly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-have-one-very-basic-rule-when-it-comes-to-good-ideas-a-good-idea-is/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Modern PCs are horrible. ACPI is a complete design disaster in every way. But we're kind of stuck with it. If any Intel people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/modern-pcs-are-horrible-acpi-is-a-complete-design-disaster-in-every/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) [Explore all 233 Linus Torvalds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More Backup quotes > [If God is not with us, we do not want to continue. If the Sermon on the Mount is simply impractical, our mission work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-baker/if-god-is-not-with-us-we-do-not-want-to-continue-if-the-sermon-on-the/) [Heidi Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-baker/) > [I thought I would make it (to the NBA). I believed that I would make it. But I had a Plan B. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avery-johnson/i-thought-i-would-make-it-to-the-nba-i-believed-that-i-would-make-it/) [Avery Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avery-johnson/) > [When we have all data online it will be great for humanity. It is a prerequisite to solving many problems that humankind faces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cailliau/when-we-have-all-data-online-it-will-be-great-for-humanity-it-is-a/) [Robert Cailliau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cailliau/) > [But I love singing, and I've been singing backup for friends' bands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alia-shawkat/but-i-love-singing-and-i-ve-been-singing-backup-for-friends-bands/) [Alia Shawkat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alia-shawkat/) > [Don't let uncertainty talk you into pursuing a backup plan instead of your purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/don-t-let-uncertainty-talk-you-into-pursuing-a-backup-plan-instead-of/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [I was in 'Seussical,' and I was in a cage onstage in a purple yarn suit singing backup, and I was like: 'I've had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-nicholaw/i-was-in-seussical-and-i-was-in-a-cage-onstage-in-a-purple-yarn-suit/) [Casey Nicholaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-nicholaw/) > [I like to go full bore into something. If you have a backup plan, then you've already admitted defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cavill/i-like-to-go-full-bore-into-something-if-you-have-a-backup-plan-then/) [Henry Cavill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cavill/) > [Life is about falling Living is about getting backup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kari-hillesland/life-is-about-falling-living-is-about-getting-backup/) [Kari Hillesland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kari-hillesland/) > [My family was always very supportive. Whether you're an actor or not, everybody hears the horror stories of people going to L.A. and trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/my-family-was-always-very-supportive-whether-you-re-an-actor-or-not/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [“Always have a backup plan to the backup plan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/always-have-a-backup-plan-to-the-backup-plan/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [What did Isabelle want?" Jace asked. Alec hesitated. "Isabelle says the Queen of the Seelie Court has requested an audience with us." "Sure," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-did-isabelle-want-jace-asked-alec-hesitated-isabelle-says-the/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When I was at the 'Philadelphia Inquirer,' I was promoted nine times in my first 13 years. I ultimately went from general assignment to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/when-i-was-at-the-philadelphia-inquirer-i-was-promoted-nine-times-in/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [You might be a redneck if the dog catcher calls for a backup unit when he visits your house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/you-might-be-a-redneck-if-the-dog-catcher-calls-for-a-backup-unit/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [As a kid, Terry Bradshaw didn't amaze me. My hero was Steelers backup Terry Hanratty, who nabbed two Super Bowl rings while completing three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-rodrick/as-a-kid-terry-bradshaw-didn-t-amaze-me-my-hero-was-steelers-backup/) [Stephen Rodrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-rodrick/) > [A well-defined backup plan is sabotage waiting to happen. Why push through the dip, why take the risk, why blow it all when there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/a-well-defined-backup-plan-is-sabotage-waiting-to-happen-why-push/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) [Browse all 161 Backup quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backup/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Backups are for wimps. 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