backup utilities
Flyback Updates with Better Interface, Easier Scheduling
6:45AM Kevin Purdy | Linux only: Flyback, the previously mentioned Linux backup utility that aims to mimic Mac OS X Leopard’s Time Machine for set-and-forget usability, has a cutting-edge 0.5 version available in its Subversion repository that adds a good number of great things. Choosing what to back up, which external drive or server to place it on, and when exactly to do it, is a lot easier to grasp for those not schooled in rsync. The Ubuntu Unleashed blog has detailed instructions on getting the cutting-edge SVN version installed on your Debian, Ubuntu, or Red Hat-based system. Flyback [Google Code via Ubuntu Unleashed] More »
Mozy Mac Client Final Release Available
12:55AM Gina Trapani | Mac only: Online backup service Mozy has released the final, 1.0 version of their Mac client, which doesn’t have all the options that the PC side does, but still gets the job done. Choose which folders you want to back up on Mozy’s servers over an encrypted connection, or simply back up your entire home directory, or pre-suggested sets of files (like your Address Book, iCal, Application Preferences, etc). I’ve actually plunked down the $5 a month unlimited storage at Mozy costs, and I use it on both my Mac and PC. Overall the service helps me sleep better at night knowing I’ve got off-site backup and and doesn’t slow down my computer or work too much. I’ve only got one complaint. More »
Amic Email Backup Keeps Messages and Settings Intact
11:30PM Kevin Purdy | Windows only: Back up your messages and nearly everything else associated with an email account with Amic Email Backup, a free download for Windows. Amic only works with desktop-based mail clients but covers a wide range of them, from Outlook and its Express sibling to IncrediMail to Opera, and beyond. Amic grabs email account info, address book, sender lists, stationary, message rules, and more and tucks the data away anywhere you want it to—and can even do it automatically on a schedule. While previously-posted MailStore Home is a more open-ended, Amic’s dead-simple interface, scheduling abilities and comprehensive settings capture make it a worthy installation for relatives who don’t do the backup thing or refuse to move out of their familiar email client. Amic Email Backup is a free download for Windows systems only. More »
Back Up While You’re Away with IdleBackup
6:00AM Gina Trapani | Windows only: Freeware utility IdleBackup automatically backs up your files while you’re not using your computer. Choose the folder you want to back up and the destination—whether it’s a thumb drive, network drive, or big external drive—and the amount of time that your computer should be idle before the backup runs. Hide IdleBackup to the system tray, and it will back up your data quietly in the background while you’re at lunch, in a meeting, or sleeping soundly. IdleBackup performs incremental backups, so it only copies files that have changed since the last time. After the jump, see a full screenshot of IdleBackup in action. More »
Keep Real-Time File Snapshots with DocShield
11:00PM Kevin Purdy | Windows only: Free snapshot backup utility DocShield provides a similar service to previously-mentioned FileHamster, but with a lot more control over how often, and how big, those backups should be. Select individual files or groups of certain file types (like .jpg or .xls in the My Documents folder, for instance) on your home computer, networked systems, or even remote FTP servers, set DocShield to check at certain increments, and choose whether those backups are compressed or not. Better still, the program offers a utility to save a file and its versions onto a USB drive, along with a utility to read and re-save it. For those looking for a Time-Machine-like utility for Windows but don’t need entire systems backed up, DocShield is a helpful tool. DocShield is a free download for Windows systems only. DocShield [via FreewareGenius.com] More »
Back up Gmail on Linux with Getmail
5:00AM Tamar Weinberg | Keep a copy of your Gmail messages stored locally on your Linux machine with freeware application getmail. Googler Matt Cutts explains the process: after you install getmail, enable POP email on your Gmail account, and configure getmail to store your messages as mbox or Maildir, then run getmail. Because of a Gmail limitation, getmail will only download 99 messages at a time, so keep re-running getmail and you’ll soon have a copy of your entire Gmail archive on your Linux box. Over a year ago, Gina described how to back up Gmail this same way using fetchmail on Windows. Do you back up your web-based mail on your desktop? Tell us in the comments. How to Back Up Your Gmail on Linux in Four Easy Steps [Matt Cutts] More »
Create Your Own Cross-Platform Backup Server
4:00AM Kevin Purdy | Backing up your data on a regular basis is important, and turning a spare computer into a backup server is often the best way to make sure it gets done. But most methods require either a good deal of command-line learning or serve only one operating system. Not with Restore, a free, open-source backup system that can install or run from a live CD, work with any OS, and operate through a simple browser-based interface. Today I’ll demonstrate backing up a Windows laptop to an older desktop, but you’ll see how Restore can be easily molded to fit just about any home backup needs. More »
Give an Old Laptop New Life with Cheap (or Free) Projects
4:00AM Kevin Purdy | Like a famed race horse or a classic book, you don’t just throw away a laptop because it’s banged up a little. Even if it seems outdated and underpowered, most any laptop is still small, quiet, and relatively low on power consumption, making it a seriously valuable spare to keep handy—even without a working screen. With some free software, a little know-how and some creative thinking about your home network, nearly any old laptop can find its second wind, and today I’ll run through some of the best ways to get it there.Photo by daveynin. More »
Force Time Machine Drives to Unmount
1:30AM Kevin Purdy | Tech blogger Phil Windley grew tired of trying to eject his external back up disk, first the suggested Apple+E way and then by yanking a cord, just to see that ominous red stop sign of warning every day, even when he knew his disk operations were (or should have been, at least) done. His suggestion for others suffering from clingy back up drives: Parse together a terminal command similar to the one below (substituting name and other portions for whatever fits your system): More »
