[note - Apple recently updated the backup software to work with MacOS 10.2 - Click here for information on Backup version 1.2]

At MacWorld NY last week (7/23/02), Apple announced that iTools (free) would become .Mac (not free - $99.00 Annual Subscription Rate - $49 for current iTools members). With the new .Mac service, users get more online storage (up from 20MB to 100MB), more e-mail storage (up from 5MB to 15MB) and a couple of new software app's (Backup and Virex 7.1) with more to come. Because I had ordered extra storage space for my iDisk, I got a free year of the new .Mac and have been trying it out. The first thing I tried was the Backup software. It is a very user-friendly back-up solution with a lot of pluses. If you would like to try it, you can sign up for a free trial of the .Mac service (ends on Sept. 30). Below is how to use it.

Download : Probably the only downside of this application is the fact that you have to be a .Mac subscriber to use it. After downloading (from the .Mac site) and installing it, the software then checks to see if you have an active account. If you do not have one, then you are out of luck and the program will quit. (note - A .Mac membership is required for all Users on your system. User A cannot use Backup with User B's .Mac account.) I would like to see this as a stand-alone app that would work with CD-R and DVD-R if you did not have a .Mac account.

Launch : Launch the Backup app by double clicking on it (icon is an umbrella - pictured). Upon launching the application, it connects with your iDisk server and then opens the main Back Up window. Here is where all of your setting will be made.

Main Window : There are some things that jump out at you as soon as you look at the Main Window in Backup. First, the amount of storage space you have free (indicated by a green bar in the picture to the right). As you get closer to filling up your iDisk, this bar will turn to red. Another thing that jumps out at you is the list of files to be backed up. Listed here are the files that you would typically want to back up (like iTunes Playlist, Word Files in Home folder, Files on Desktop, etc.). The Back up to… Menu, is where you decide the location of the back up. Will you be backing up to iDisk, CD-R or DVD-R? Choose here. Finally, the Schedule Backups Button (at the bottom of the main window) is where you would set the frequency of your backups (daily, weekly, etc.).

Select Files : The files listed in the window above are called Quickpicks. Quickpicks are files that the app assumes you would typically want to back up. To back up a Quickpick, simply check the box under the Back up column next to its name. The size of the file(s) and the last time it was backed up are also listed. There are three buttons above the Files to be Backed up window. The first button updates the storage space status bar to reflect any changes to the iDisk or back up list. The second button, a plus sign, allows you select specific files to add to your backup. The third, a button with an i, gives you more information about a particular back up. For instance, by selecting the Internet Explorer Setting Backup and then clicking on the More Information (+) button, it would tell you which settings will be backed up.

Select Back up Location : The Backup software works with not only your iDisk, but also removable media like CD-R and DVD-R. This flexibility allows you to do large backups without shelling out more money for iDisk space. To select the back up location, simply click on the drop down menu that says Back Up to iDisk and then select the media that you would like to back up to. (Note - It looks like the Backup to CD-R and DVD-R is not available in the Trial version).

Preferences : Not much here. You can turn on Mirroring, which will cause any files that you delete on you hard drive to also be deleted in your back up. Makes sense.

Backup : Now that all of your files are selected and you have adjusted your settings, click on the Backup Now button to initiate the back up. The software will connect to you iDisk and begin backing up the files. (Note - if you have insufficient space you will not be able to back up)

Restore : Now that you have backed up all your important files, you are can sleep easy. But wait, one more step. How do you restore? Simply click on the Back up to iDisk drop down menu and at the bottom you will see, restore from iDisk or CD-R, DVD-R. You then select (check mark) the items that you want restored (from your list of backed up items) and then click restore now.

Wrap Up : How will this strategy (.Mac) play? Time will tell, of course, but I like the idea and the ease of use of the applications. Backup finds the files that I tend to miss when doing a backup.Will people pay $100.00 per year for this service? I guess I will. I was paying for extra storage before, and now I've got more space and some handy tools to use (with more coming - iCal).

Is this a solution for everyone? No. Is it for the home user? Yes. I expect that this software, once updated could fill a great need but in this form is probably not for people doing extensive back up's.

Update [7/26] : After some excellent email questions and comments, I have a little bit more information on Backup.

• The backup program will not back up applications (or read only files). If you try to drag one over to the window, it will give you a message indicating that it cannot do it and you must reinstall the program from the original disk. Or stuff the entire program folder (that is not mentioned but would be my suggestion).
• Files backed up on CD can be accessed without an internet connection.
• Files are stored on the iDisk in a 1:1 ration, no compression.
• No firewire hard drive support, yet. (It only makes sense that eventually, we will be able to back up to our new iPods with their ample storage space!)
• You cannot back up from removable or network drives. All files have to be on your local hard drive.
• Possible Flaws (submitted by a reader): (1)The file creation and modify dates are overwritten with the date and time of the backup. Thus if you restore a file with a backup copy, the original create and modify dates are lost. (2)Clicking of the “information” button opens a sliding window similar to the Finder information window. Unfortunately, it doesn’t show the entire path of the file which makes it impossible to distinguish between files with the same name in different locations.

Question, Comments? Email, IM or Ask me a Question.

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