Instead of recommending a home file server, which sounds complicated and scary, why not suggest friends and family buy an automatic back-up box that lets them access files via the Web.

Mirra Personal Server 1.0 used client software to monitor and back up files from one or more PCs to a specialized back-up server. But the new Version 2.0 takes a giant step forward by acting as a file synchronization server between local PCs.

Setup took just a few moments. Slightly larger than a fat phone book, the Mirra fits on a bookshelf where it can connect via Ethernet cable to a modem or router. Configured as a DHCP client by default, the system searches the net and configures itself.

Installing the client software was more involved because Mirra relies on Microsoft's .Net framework. If a PC has a problem with .Net, as our XP Pro SP1 did, expect to do some reinstalling and driver updating. The client installed smoothly on our Windows 2000 and XP Home SP2 PCs.

After typing in a ponderous 25-character alphanumeric key, the client application discovered the Mirra hardware on the network and back-up configuration began.

You can tag local folders on local PCs for automatic backup via the Mirra client or by right-clicking the folder name and choosing "Add to Mirra Backups." When selected, the folder copy begins immediately, but leaves enough CPU cycles so other work can continue. Restoration from the Mirra client lets you choose earlier file versions and redirect files to new locations. File versions aren't visible unless users drill down, and the most recent copy is the default.

When Mirra owners register the device at Mirra.com, they set up a username and password that lets them access files and folders on the Mirra box remotely via the Web. They can share access to specific folders with remote users by sending an e-mail with a link to the invitee's username and password.

MIRRA PERSONAL SERVER 2.0

Price: $400 (80G bytes), $500 (120G bytes), $750 (250G bytes).. Installation time:. Less than 30 minutes. Ongoing maintenance: Set and forget. For details Bottom Line: Worth the money, and you'll be a hero when you pull lost file out of thing air.

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The Mirra server is not publicly viewable on the Web. Instead, proprietary Mirra software brokers connections between remote browsers through Mirra.com to reach through network address translation software on an unidentified port through firewalls, communicated from the Mirra server up to Mirra.com.

Mirra 2.0's best feature is folder synchronization. Owners can specify folders to be synchronized between two or more local PCs, and all changes appear on all synched systems. Automatic synching to remote PCs would make it perfect, but today you still have to manually shuffle files from remote sites.

Deleted files are retrievable from Mirra (unless actively purged), saving users from mis-click disasters. You can't save multiple back-up sets like tapes, but keeping deleted files available is a good alternate.