It's no secret that I think online backup is the best solution for the SOHO market. Unlike tape, it gets the data off-site and it's set it and forget it. The backup client runs every night and will even pop up in your face if it can't backup your data for a few days. Problem is, convincing the SOHO owner. They're afraid it will stop working, someone will steal their data from the provider, it will be too slow, etc., etc., etc. Early this month, HP announced Upline, an online backup service that allows users unlimited storage for $5 to $10 a month, including multiple system support. Last week, it had to shut it down, and down it remains. Even worse, a user "Ridz" at TechCrunch reports it connected him to someone else's data repository.

Fiasco seems too weak a word. It's bad enough Web services like Gmail go off line for an hour at a time, but when a supposedly reputable company like HP enters a crowded market and screws up this badly, it's bad for everyone.

InformationWeek's crack news staff reported the details here. I'm just adding an indignant voice.

HP, it's mea culpa time