Comments on: Back it up, Mac! http://theoreticalken.com/2007/08/23/back-it-up-mac/ Computers, cameras, websites, unicycles, music, food, massages, Michelle and more Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:16:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: T_Ken http://theoreticalken.com/2007/08/23/back-it-up-mac/comment-page-1/#comment-8 T_Ken Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:04:51 +0000 http://theoreticalken.com/2007/08/23/back-it-up-mac/#comment-8 Carl, thanks for the additional ideas. I went and looked at <a href="http://www.econtechnologies.com/site/Pages/ChronoSync/chrono_overview.html" rel="nofollow">Chronosync</a>; it looks great. I might try it for keeping my laptop synced with my new desktop. I had previously looked at Carbon Copy Cloner once too. Not sure why I didn't go in that direction. The thing i LOVE about SuperDuper is the simplicity. The set up instructions are extremely clear and easy. It tells you in plain language exactly what each step will do. I had used Retrospect as my backup system previously, but found that retrieving files was a bit of a pain. Retrospect uses its own file system to store your files, and you need to use Retrospect to access your archived data. You can't just use the Finder to browse the backup drive. I ended up choosing the (SuperDuper) method of cloning the entire drive because it makes recovery much much simpler in the event of main drive failure. I could probably rebuild my entire system set up manually in about 4-5 hours from scratch, but that's me. For the average home user, it would take substantially longer to get a new computer (hard drive) configured exactly the way it was. For me the decision came down to work flow; how fast could I be back up and running in the event of total drive failure. The answer with SuperDuper is: instantly. I'll post again soon with my long-term archival process. Carl, thanks for the additional ideas. I went and looked at Chronosync; it looks great. I might try it for keeping my laptop synced with my new desktop. I had previously looked at Carbon Copy Cloner once too. Not sure why I didn’t go in that direction. The thing i LOVE about SuperDuper is the simplicity. The set up instructions are extremely clear and easy. It tells you in plain language exactly what each step will do.

I had used Retrospect as my backup system previously, but found that retrieving files was a bit of a pain. Retrospect uses its own file system to store your files, and you need to use Retrospect to access your archived data. You can’t just use the Finder to browse the backup drive.

I ended up choosing the (SuperDuper) method of cloning the entire drive because it makes recovery much much simpler in the event of main drive failure. I could probably rebuild my entire system set up manually in about 4-5 hours from scratch, but that’s me. For the average home user, it would take substantially longer to get a new computer (hard drive) configured exactly the way it was.

For me the decision came down to work flow; how fast could I be back up and running in the event of total drive failure. The answer with SuperDuper is: instantly.

I’ll post again soon with my long-term archival process.

]]> By: Carl Hutzler http://theoreticalken.com/2007/08/23/back-it-up-mac/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Carl Hutzler Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:20:39 +0000 http://theoreticalken.com/2007/08/23/back-it-up-mac/#comment-7 Another program that does essentially this is Carbon Copy Cloner. I can't say if its better or worse, but I think it is free. I don't actually backup my entire HDD. I figure I can afford to reinstall the system and applications if I have to. So I just backup my HOME folder which has all of my documents, desktop, pictures, movies, etc in it. And I use a program called CHRONOSYNC which does incremental backups. So once the full backup is complete, the only thing it copies on the next backup is what has changed. I also have it set to NOT delete old copies of files even if they have been deleted from the master drive. I have found that sometimes I want an old copy and its a convenient way to have some insurance. Of course the big daddy of backup is Retrospect. I started playing with that recently and it is the professional solution. But I do agree with you, Ken, get some backup software, an extra hard drive, and start a process now. Your hard drive WILL FAIL, Guaranteed. Don't be caught with your pants. Another program that does essentially this is Carbon Copy Cloner. I can’t say if its better or worse, but I think it is free.

I don’t actually backup my entire HDD. I figure I can afford to reinstall the system and applications if I have to. So I just backup my HOME folder which has all of my documents, desktop, pictures, movies, etc in it. And I use a program called CHRONOSYNC which does incremental backups. So once the full backup is complete, the only thing it copies on the next backup is what has changed. I also have it set to NOT delete old copies of files even if they have been deleted from the master drive. I have found that sometimes I want an old copy and its a convenient way to have some insurance.

Of course the big daddy of backup is Retrospect. I started playing with that recently and it is the professional solution.

But I do agree with you, Ken, get some backup software, an extra hard drive, and start a process now. Your hard drive WILL FAIL, Guaranteed. Don’t be caught with your pants.

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