Mac Backups?

[RedAlpha3]

Time Machine is not keen to backup on my Debian Etch file server. It seems that it is set to backup to Mac formatted media only. I've seen that there is a workaround for this (thank you google!) but life is too short and I need something that works without too much fuss. Any ideas? I used Simple Backup on linux distros and it was all I needed.

[danieldk]

Time machine with a local disk? I have found Time Machine to be unbeatable. For those that do not know it: it keeps a timeline in the backups, you can launch Time Machine, slide through the time, and use Finder to explore your hard disk at an arbitrary moment in time.

Using a non-time capsule network disk is indeed a bit annoying. It is possible, but it does not work as great as having a local disk or a time capsule.

[RedAlpha3]

Having looked at the alternatives, Daniel, I'm going to do as you suggest. I have a 1Tb external disc which I can use. I have now run out of spare USB ports! Will I have to leave the external backup disc connected at all times? I like the idea of timed backups but am trying to keep the power signature of the system to a bare minimum.

[danieldk]

Having looked at the alternatives, Daniel, I'm going to do as you suggest. I have a 1Tb external disc which I can use. I have now run out of spare USB ports! Will I have to leave the external backup disc connected at all times? I like the idea of timed backups but am trying to keep the power signature of the system to a bare minimum.

You can connect it at times. I have my backup disk permanently connected, but usually switched off. Since Time Machine will attempt a backup periodically, it will start a backup fairly quickly after I turn the disk on. Having time machine enabled with no disk connected is no problem, it will just continue backups when the disk is available again. It will even warn you if it was not able to make a backup for a longer period (I think 10 days).

Of course, if you want to disconnect the disk, make sure that time machine is not running, and that the disk is unmounted.

[RedAlpha3]

Very useful information, Daniel. Thanks.

[fos]

Time Machine actually works. When I installed the larger disk, I used the original install disk and my Time Machine backup usb drive to restore my computer to its exact condition prior to the disk exchange. The only thing that wasn't the same was the mysql passwords. mysql was wide open. I reset the passwords to the way they were.

It was the easiest full system restore I have ever seen. I just plug my backup usb disk once a day or so and everything is backed up. As I get important data on here, I will activate a second backup disk and have on off site. I'll rotate them every week or so. That way I can restore no matter how severe the catastrophe.

I had a house burn down in 1990. I have business backups in a "fireproof" safe. The disks appeared unharmed but the heat that made it through wiped the data. I should have had offsite backups as well.

Jeff

[danieldk]

<fanboyism>I put very important stuff om my me.com iDisk as wel, just to have it off-site ;). Mostly documents.</fanboyism>