Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!chuq
From: chuq@Apple.COM (Chuq Von Rospach)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Backup Utility Recommendations...
Message-ID: <37953@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 19 Jan 90 17:47:11 GMT
References: <1268@husc6.harvard.edu> <24983@gryphon.COM>
Organization: Fictional Reality: where your dreams can come true
Lines: 42

jspear@gryphon.COM (Jon Spear) writes:

>   HFS Backup 3 has an "overwrite" mode where newer versions of a file will
>replace old ones in an archive, thus saving floppies.  It also has lots
>of other features.

Sounds like HFS Backup now can do waht Diskfit does. I used to use HFS
Backup and switched to Diskfit because it was faster and more reliable --
and because it saves stuff in finder format, so I can get to a file without
have to restore it though the program. (which can be really depressing when
the backup program says 'I've got it, but I won't give it back to you', as
HFS Backup did a couple of times back in the older versions.

>   But the backup utility I want is Retrospect.  If I could only convince
>myself that it is really worth $150 or so to help organize my file archives.

Convince yourself. Retrospect is neat. The only reason I still use DiskFit
is because I haven't taken the time to switch my primary backups over (and
because I like my backups in finder format, but eventually I'll give in). I
use Retrospect to back up all my projects, my public domain library (it took
*that* from 80 floppies to 35; the savings in floppies almost paid for it
then, and has by now). it's really a neat tool that I find I use on a daily
basis both here at work and at home -- because it's a really convenient way
to make incremental backups of each project on an easy-to-find set of
floppies. When a project is done, I can make a final archive and then zap
the original. 

It's saved my tail twice so far in letting me get back to previous verions
of things I've hosed -- and it's fast and convenient enough that I *do* use
it without grumbling, so the saved data is there when I need it. 

A backup program is no good if you don't use it, so a program that doesn't
get in your want and act as a deterrent gets a strong recommendation.

-- 

Chuq Von Rospach   <+>   chuq@apple.com   <+>   [This is myself speaking]

Rule 1 on how to not get an answer to your question: put "I don't
normally read this group" in the message. Rule 2: don't read the group
before posting.  It's considered bad manners to ask a questio about a
topic currently under discussion. -- Uncle chuqui's guide to the net.