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B Gallagher · Jan 22, 2006, 06:11 AM

Hello all,

I'm thinking about getting some proper backup software. I do backups about once a week using iBackup, but it doesn't really cut it for everything I want to do.

Here's a list of what I'm looking for a backup program to do:

Incremental backups. Start off with a full backup the first time, then from there on in, only backup files which were changed/added since the last backup.
To be able to iplement different types of backups depending on the backup media. Ideally I would like to back up to external HDD, DVD, and a USB drive. For each of these I would want to specify different sets of files and folders to be backed up, and I would want the program to remember my preferences for each.
Scheduled backups. Tell my computer to backup thing daily at 2am, or so. Be able to customise this for each type of media I'm backing up to.
Choose specific folders to backup - i.e. to be able to go further down the heirachy than 'documents', 'movies' etc - to be able to backup my documents > work > 2006 > reports folder, for example, without neccessary backing up everything in the documents, work, or 2006 folders.
The ability to backup one external drive to another.
Also, if possible, be able to exclude specific files types from the backup, depending on which one it is. For example, I would want to save .tiff files on the external HDD, but not on the USB.

I realise this is quite an exhaustive list, but I suppose if you're going to do backups you may as well get them done well. And, if you're going to pay for software, you may aswell get what you're looking for.

So, given that, is anyone able to recommend any appropriate backup software?

Thank you very much for any suggestions.

TETENAL · Jan 22, 2006, 06:14 AM

Apple Backup does everything except 6.

cms · Jan 22, 2006, 08:36 AM

Retrospect does all those things very well indeed. It's a complicated program to master, due mainly to its rather unfriendly user interface, but once you do find your way around, it will do just about anything you care to throw at it, at server, network and individual user levels. I've been using it in my network admin capacity and for my own personal stuff for over 2 years now, and I think it's great. It's never let me down and has saved my (and my clients') bacon more times than I can count....

B Gallagher · Jan 23, 2006, 04:20 AM

Thanks. does anyone know if there is any way to get/use Apple Backup without having to subscribe to .mac?

cms · Jan 23, 2006, 04:27 AM

You need .Mac for Apple Backup because it backs up to your .Mac iDisk (on-line storage space).

Big Mac · Jan 23, 2006, 04:39 AM

Not really, you need .Mac for Backup because Apple ties to .Mac and requires a .Mac service check for it to run. The program really should be included as core software, and it would be but for Apple greed.

:dragonflypro: · Jan 23, 2006, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

The program really should be included as core software, and it would be but for Apple greed.

Because development funding comes from the magical happy land of R&D.

all2ofme · Jan 24, 2006, 12:28 PM

What's the difference between Backup and other features that come with your machine? Operating system updates excluded, almost everything else that you could want your system to do in the course of a day is included for nothing. Backing up your files in a simple way is something that all but a tiny minority of users would benefit from.

I agree with BigMac that it's a pity Apple restricts use of Backup to those who want a .mac account. I've no use for the other features of .mac but Backup'd be really nice to have.