Backup 3.0 for Apple's .Mac users in development

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in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited January 2014
Apple Computer is developing a major update to Backup, its data loss prevention software created specifically for .Mac users, AppleInsider has learned.



The Mac OS X application, which is complimentary with each .Mac subscription but may also be used as a standalone Mac OS X application, allows users to easily backup files to their iDisk, hard drive, or external FireWire drive. It also allows for backups to recordable CD and DVD discs, a network server, or other mounted volumes.



According to reliable sources, Backup 3.0 will simplify backups through the addition of multiple backup plans, which are designed to secure users' most critical data, such as home folders, personal data files, and iLife content. The release will also allow users to schedule backups to any destination, and back up more than one computer to the same iDisk.



To ensure that a user's most important files are always protected, Backup 3 will ship with preset backup plans for iLife content such as iPhotos, iMovies, and iTunes music. Additional presets for personal settings and home folders will also come standard.



Users will be able to customize these presets or create new backup plans by specifying the files and folders they want to protect, then add one or more destinations and schedules for each plan. Sources say this feature will allow for daily backups of small files -- like system preferences -- to an iDisk, while providing an option to back up much larger files less frequently and to separate destinations.



Backup 3 will also allow for scheduling incremental backups to optical media, copying only the files that have changed since the previous backup.



Each time the software performs a backup, it will save new versions of files that have changed since the previous backup, sources said. This feature will allow users to quickly restore lost or damaged files from either the most recent backup or an older archived backup. Additionally, the new version will offer users the option to restore backups to an alternative location or to restore only those files missing from their original location.



Other features of Backup 3 reportedly include: notification of missed backups; an enhanced History panel; a single window summary of all backup plans; and QuickPicks for new application data types, such as Quicken files.



With the new version, sources say Apple has shed Backup of its brushed aluminum interface, returning it to a smooth Aqua and Platinum look. Sources say the overall layout of the application has also been simplified to present backups as 'plans.' Default plans include Home Folder, Personal Data and Settings, iLife, and Purchased Music. A fifth plan -- Transfer -- eases the migration of settings from previous versions of Backup to version 3.0.



Sources were unable to provide a specific date when the application would be made available, but did say it was in the latter stages of development.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 32
    wyszwysz Posts: 6member
    I'm glad Apple hasn't forgotten about this app that I use at least once a week. It's already saved me once, when Virex deleted my entire mailbox. I just hope they make it faster. The current version takes several minutes for it to prepare for a backup, even if only a few files have been modified.
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  • Reply 2 of 32
    rokrok Posts: 3,519member
    wow, from the description, this sounds like an excellent alternative to retrospect desktop... with an interface that's a thousand times better (even though i haven't seen any screenshots, it couldn't be any worse).



    but here's by biggest question: will they finally allow burning cd's via backup without a live .mac connection to prove authenticity? that's always struck me as dumb.
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  • Reply 3 of 32
    kcmackcmac Posts: 1,051member
    Unless it also backs up my applications I won't use it. SuperDuper suits me just fine for all my back up needs.
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  • Reply 4 of 32
    cesarcesar Posts: 102member
    will be Tiger-only, powered by spotlight .... COOL!
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  • Reply 5 of 32
    Quote:

    Originally posted by rok

    but here's by biggest question: will they finally allow burning cd's via backup without a live .mac connection to prove authenticity? that's always struck me as dumb.



    This is exactly what people are missing about the .Mac model. Instead of Apple charging for each individual application (because they do need to recover costs), they offer a single annual "package" called .Mac that includes all kinds of well-integrated tools and services, including Backup CD burning. It's a brilliant model.
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  • Reply 6 of 32
    Well, lets hope version 3 doesn't back up your Safari cache. I tried .Mac, thinking that backup would be one of its useful features. Then I discovered that most of my iDisk usage was backups of my Safari cache. What the **** is the point of that!?
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  • Reply 7 of 32
    Quote:

    Originally posted by ianeiloart

    Well, lets hope version 3 doesn't back up your Safari cache. I tried .Mac, thinking that backup would be one of its useful features. Then I discovered that most of my iDisk usage was backups of my Safari cache. What the **** is the point of that!?



    Everything in Backup can be turned off if you don't want it. I think it's the major reason to get a .mac account. The ability to store my college work, application settings and keychain offsite means I don't have to worry about house fires.....





    Paranoia? Never!



    Also, kcmac, you could create a folder to put the apps in which you could add to the backup list?
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  • Reply 8 of 32
    messiahmessiah Posts: 1,689member
    Backup was the reason I bought a .mac subscription.



    Ironically, in the first year of using my subscription I found that the bundled e-mail address was the handiest thing, and that I hardly ever used Backup.



    I hope they fix the fact that if you are 3/4 of the way through a big backup, and a DVD or CD fails to burn properly, you have to start the ENTIRE backup again from scratch.



    Just try backing up 37 DVDs (like I did recently) without one of the DVDs failing.



    Ouch!
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  • Reply 9 of 32
    ct77ct77 Posts: 49member
    This sounds like a great move forward for Backup. Hmm. No pun intended.



    To all the people mentioning backups to many discs of optical media, have you considered purchasing a Firewire hard drive to use for full system backups? Together with Carbon Copy Cloner you've got a great little backup tool.



    True, that magnetic media fails... just a suggestion -- a frequent, full HD-based backup would be a good complement to any existing backups you might be running.



    P.S.: I don't own any stock in HD companies, just trying to be helpful.
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  • Reply 10 of 32
    tednditedndi Posts: 1,921member
    I would love to be able to take a disk image then save it as the full backup.



    My files are too big to fit on the idisk and it is cumbersome to completely backup the entire drive.



    my ipods serve as my primary backup media as a result.
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  • Reply 11 of 32
    ct77ct77 Posts: 49member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by TednDi

    I would love to be able to take a disk image then save it as the full backup.



    My files are too big to fit on the idisk and it is cumbersome to completely backup the entire drive.



    my ipods serve as my primary backup media as a result.




    TednDi -- check out Carbon Copy Cloner -- you can use it with your iPod -- it does exactly what you want.
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  • Reply 12 of 32
    tednditedndi Posts: 1,921member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by ct77

    TednDi -- check out Carbon Copy Cloner -- you can use it with your iPod -- it does exactly what you want.





    Just downloaded it seem like just the thing



    THANKS!!



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  • Reply 13 of 32
    tuttletuttle Posts: 301member
    Backup runs everyday to my .Mac account. A nice addition to CD backups.



    However, does the Backup app do the completely pointless system beep and dock bounce each time it runs for everyone else?
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  • Reply 14 of 32
    I'm a Backup 3 beta tester and I'm under the NDA so can't reveal too much. What I can say is that 3 is a much improved version of 2 and people will not be disappointed. Part of my beta testing involves using 3 in parallel with 2 and for 3 to be doing at least the same function as 2. I use 2 once per day and 3 to do the same backup plus several other things that 2 just can't do. Of course, to use iDisk for the backup destination one must have a .Mac account.



    I've been using the .Mac Backup since its inception and apart from the early days when it was hit and miss for a few months I've found it to be reliable for backing up small amounts of my most precious data offsite. That has given me a huge peace of mind - although I've never had to restore from my iDisk so far. Mind you about once every 3 months I do go thru a restore process to convince myself it does work.



    If anyone is concerned about data encryption the best way to handle this is to deposit the data into an encrypted disk image on the desktop and to then Backup this image file.



    I'm sure doing my part to feedback enhancements and bug reports to Apple during my Backup 3 beta testing and hope that the final public release will deliver a fully functional backup/restore product that has few bugs and performs per its design specifications.



    Things are getting better every day. :-))
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  • Reply 15 of 32
    buonrottobuonrotto Posts: 6,368member
    Thanks for the note!



    Quote:

    Originally posted by bxs6408

    I've been using the .Mac Backup since its inception and apart from the early days when it was hit and miss for a few months I've found it to be reliable for backing up small amounts of my most precious data offsite.



    Yeah, I never got into a habit after coming home once a week to see that backup to iDisk failed. Reliability of iDisk and Backup are #1. Better workflow and incremental backups are also important. I was kind of hoping for compression for Backups though as much as is possible. Haven't heard anything on that front. (Don't expect any inside info from you on that, bxs, just noting it.)
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  • Reply 16 of 32
    kcmackcmac Posts: 1,051member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by danielctull

    Also, kcmac, you could create a folder to put the apps in which you could add to the backup list?



    If you do that, applications (such as iTunes, etc) won't update.



    Nope. Backup should be just that. Back my disk up exactly the way it is set up.
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  • Reply 17 of 32
    louzerlouzer Posts: 1,054member
    Hey, I just wish, even as an admin, it would back up the files I tell it to back up, and stop screwing around because of permissions and such.



    Although, hey, for all I know it just didn't like them because they thought they were all apps or something.



    BTW, if you're backups regularly require 37 DVDs, its time to rethink your backup stratgy.
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  • Reply 18 of 32
    Backup completely saved my ass a couple of weeks ago when my logic board failed. I sat down at an extra machine we had at work (a PC), mounted my idisk, loaded a trial version of Filemaker 7, and I was back in business in a few minutes. Literally. I was only missing the few days of work since my previous backup. I couldn't believe how well it worked.



    As far as I'm concerned, the .mac membership payed for itself that day. I worked off of my idisk for a week and it was nice having all of my contacts and bookmarks.



    I backup to my idisk every day now and to my ipod once a week. My only complaint is the frequency of failed attempts.
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  • Reply 19 of 32
    I suppose they may have fixed the fun but annoying "Do you really want to stop the backup?" Where your button choices are "Continue" and "Stop." Currently, clicking Continue continues stopping and the backup stops, while clicking Stop stops stopping and the backup continues.
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  • Reply 20 of 32
    messiahmessiah Posts: 1,689member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by udecker

    I suppose they may have fixed the fun but annoying "Do you really want to stop the backup?" Where your button choices are "Continue" and "Stop." Currently, clicking Continue continues stopping and the backup stops, while clicking Stop stops stopping and the backup continues.



    My head hurts!
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