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The Best Automatic Backup Software
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Senior User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Status:
Offline
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So, I just had to get my original Macbook replaced with a new Black Macbook. The problem is that I never got a chance to backup my original macbook and now want to get into the habit of backing up files just incase anything ever happens.
So far, I've read that ChronoSync is the best. Also, should I just wait until Leopard comes out with the Time Machine Backup App that Jobs showed off at MacWorld?
Input would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
Status:
Offline
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Application questions go in the Applications forum. Otherwise, I don't have a huge preference-I tend to use Disk Utility and an external drive-a BIG one.
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Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: yes
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There is no "best", because there are so many differing needs....
Lots of different questions and variables to account for. Why not describe how your perfect backup system would work?
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: FFM
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I use Apple Backup and it's great with the one exception that you can't schedule full backups.
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Under Your Stairs
Status:
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SuperDuper! paired with DoSomethingWhen. Whenever I plug my firewire drive in, it starts up SD.
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Sieb
Blackbook
(2Ghz, 2GB, 100Gig, week 21)
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: :ИOITAↃO⅃
Status:
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Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: great northwest
Status:
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Are you backing up to CD? DVD? External HD? Online? That'll affect our recommendations.
iBackup is free. So is creating a burn folder with all the stuff you need to backup in there (in aliases, of course), if you're burning to CD. If you're worried about forgetting to backup, set reminder alarms in iCal.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Vancouver
Status:
Offline
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Been playing around with the Chronosync trial and it's definitely pretty powerful. I particular like the Finder-compatible versioning/archiving system it has when you sync a set of folders with changes.
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status:
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Every time I read a topic about backup software and I am gonna to advice about how good SuperDuper is, there are several guys that did it before… I wonder why !?
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Senior User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: South Carolina
Status:
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I heard good things about Super Duper for automated backups. My LaCie drive came with a couple of apps, Silver Surfer and Dick Warrior (something like that), but I deleted them. I prefer to do my backups and disk maintenance manually so I chose Drive Genius as it also does defragging, live partitioning, disk scanning, etc. How do developers come up with these names?
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Web dev, Poe, faux-naïf, keyboard warrior, often found imitating online contrarians . My stuff : DELL XPS, iPhone 6
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Senior User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: South Carolina
Status:
Offline
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Originally Posted by besson3c
There is no "best", because there are so many differing needs....
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Web dev, Poe, faux-naïf, keyboard warrior, often found imitating online contrarians . My stuff : DELL XPS, iPhone 6
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Forum Regular
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Status:
Offline
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Another vote for Super Duper here! I think you can play with it a bit before you buy it. Try it, I love it.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Status:
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Am I the only one that doesn't like Super Duper? :X
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ~/
Status:
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I use both Apple's Backup (I've got a .mac account) and SuperDuper.
Backup is good for easily restoring things like a blown away iCal or email box, and SuperDuper is good for full-volume backups, whole Apps folder, etc.
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Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2006
Status:
Offline
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16 GB 2nd Generation Black iPod Touch w/Contour Showcase
White Core 2 Duo Macbook with: 2.0 GHz/1 GB Ram/80 GB Hard Drive
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Madison, WI
Status:
Offline
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Slightly OT, but does anyone have a recommendation for real-time backup? A couple of my PC-using friends have been crowing about Carbonite Online Backup. I don't need online backup but would like a solution that will instantly update the backup whenever I make changes and save a file. I guess Time Machine will solve the problem, but maybe there's something else that will work meanwhile.
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Status:
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I use SilverKeeper - it's free, and you can schedule backups - there may be better, but this works well for me and the price is right.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: yes
Status:
Offline
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Originally Posted by Macola
Slightly OT, but does anyone have a recommendation for real-time backup? A couple of my PC-using friends have been crowing about Carbonite Online Backup. I don't need online backup but would like a solution that will instantly update the backup whenever I make changes and save a file. I guess Time Machine will solve the problem, but maybe there's something else that will work meanwhile.
This can be done with some Unix know-how, but I'm not aware of any pointy/clicky tools...
The other disadvantage of this software/service is that your data exists on some company's computer, and the integrity of your backup is also dependent on the error checking and reporting, as well as the health of the company's servers. Would you be comfortable with this?
I"m also wondering whether it allows people to write to the same files simultaneously from multiple computers. If not, it probably works in some sort of checkout => lock file => check in sort of setup, which may require a change in behavior.
Very interesting approach to backup though!
This is why there is no "ultimate" backup tool, there are so many different designs that suit different purposes.
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Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2006
Status:
Offline
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Seriously just get De Ja Vu. it takes up no space and is very easy to use.
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16 GB 2nd Generation Black iPod Touch w/Contour Showcase
White Core 2 Duo Macbook with: 2.0 GHz/1 GB Ram/80 GB Hard Drive
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Forum Regular
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: VA
Status:
Offline
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I use SuperDuper on my MB and Apple's Backup on my Mac mini. SuperDuper works very well at whole volume backup. Backup works okay but tends to be a bit buggy. I have clients that use and really like SilverKeeper. Try 'em out and see which you like best.
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Thinking of buying a new Mac? My free ebook might help.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Madison, WI
Status:
Offline
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Originally Posted by besson3c
T
The other disadvantage of this software/service is that your data exists on some company's computer, and the integrity of your backup is also dependent on the error checking and reporting, as well as the health of the company's servers. Would you be comfortable with this?
My thoughts exactly. I have no need for online backup, but wouldn't mind a Carbonite-style app for backing up to a local disk. I guess I should just wait for Leopard and Time Machine. I'm curious about the Unix tools, though, so post a link to info if you have it.
@ frankthetank966: I have (and use) both Deja Vu and Silverkeeper, but neither does what I described in my earlier post.
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Last edited by Macola; Mar 27, 2007 at 07:18 PM.
Reason: added info)
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