"Malke" wrote:

> tcarp wrote:
>
> > Thanks for the post on the files and folders.
> >
> >> There are two different ways to approach backup. To get back a completely
> >> working install, configured exactly the way you want, you should use an
> >> imaging program like Acronis True Image. Purchase an external hard drive
> >> and store the images on it. True Image can also do incremental backups.
> >
> > I'm duplicating some questions on a couple threads here, but I'm updating
> > my understanding about backup strategies and tools and am trying to keep
> > the threads focused on specific subjects.
> >
> > I've been using a file/folder backup tool (Retrospect) for some time now
> > for our Mac and both our PC laptops so I'm fairly familiar with running
> > those
> > types of backups. I'm beginning to learn that there are also
> > clone/imaging tools out there too like the one you mentioned.
> >
> > Since it appears you run both types, can you comment on what I think I
> > understand about the differences.
> >
> > From what I can tell, clone/imaging tools create an exact duplicate of the
> > files being backed up on another HD or on a partition on the internal HD.
> > I think some or all of them also allow for the creation of the boot
> > capabilities on these backups and it sounds like some or all allow for
> > incrementals.
> >
> > Since the data is not compressed or put into a single file, I'm assuming
> > the only "price" paid is for HD space.
> >
> > Since file/folder backups essentially accomplish the same thing as the
> > clone/image backups why would you have both (unless, of course, you were
> > using the tool in a business environment where recovery speed was at a
> > premium)? I understand that it's only about $50 for imaging and $30 or so
> > for file/folder tools so it's not the cost. I'm working on my whole
> > backup strategy and what to understand the "why" behind the design.
>
> Cloning does exactly what it says: makes an exact image of a drive. Cloning
> is normally used when replacing an entire hard drive.
>
> Imaging does exactly what it says: makes an image of a drive or a partition.
> The image is compressed.
>
> For more exact information about cloning and imaging, go to Acronis's
> website (which I already gave you) and read about it there. You don't have
> to purchase that particular program just because I like it; there are
> others. But Acronis has good information about the whole concept that will
> answer your questions more thoroughly than I can in a newsgroup.
>
Thanks for the reference. I'll do some more homework.
>
> Probably for a small mixed operating system network like yours, I would:
>
> 1. Have a central NAS to hold images and backups (Google it) or use Apple's
> new Time Capsule.

"Google it"??? Only know Google from their web search tool.

Interestingly I'm in the process of making my Mac into more of a server for
the home. The Mac was my first machine (way, way back) and now, with the PC
laptops, I don't use it for applications much anymore. The idea is to turn
it into a server (file and, if things network better these days, print).

> 2. Run Second Copy on one of the Windows machines, create profiles to back
> up all pertinent stuff on all the other Windows boxen, and funnel all the
> backups to one backup folder on the NAS/Time Capsule. This makes burning to
> DVD very easy since everything is now in one place.

I'll have to get more familiar with the technique but thanks for the
direction.

> 3. Occasionally image the Windows machines with True Image so you can get
> back to a working system in minutes instead of hours. Store the images on
> the NAS/Time Capsule.
>
> 4. For the Macs, use Time Machine with the NAS (if supported, I honestly
> don't remember if it is). Obviously Time Machine works with Time Capsule.
> For my MacBook, I also use Super Duper regularly so I can get back easily
> and quickly to a working system. I prefer that aspect of Super Duper to
> Time Machine although of course I run Time Machine too.
>
> Hope that helped,

A great deal! Its time for me to do some homework and put together a backup
design. I'll probably come back to have separate eyes look at it.

As I did some quite searches for authoritative comparisons between backup
software I found mostly the extremes (loved it or hated it). Since I can't
tell how much is marketing or user issues, and since I don't want to go into
a "best product search" I also appreciate comments on what's simple (given
this is a small home network) and relatively easy to use.

The other topic will be about restores. For example, a friend could have
used a complete reinstall of windows and knowing roughly how to do that in
advance will also take some forum time.

Tom