Better Backup Options?

I'm trying to improve my overall back up system, and could really use some advice...

-I've happily used TimeMachine, but I've been told that I should supplement it by backing up with Carbon Copy Cloner and/or SuperDuper. Are there any benefits to using these app's that TimeMachine doesn't provide? If so, what are they?

-If it's NOT advisable use Carbon Copy Cloner and/or SuperDuper, should I use another app for further back ups?

-I do a lot of sensitive work that requires serious privacy and protection. I'd like to back up using some kind of online service, but only if it could be seriously protected / encrypted. I know iDisk is available, but have also been told that I can use DropBox with some encryption / protection services that would make backing up files on a remote server ultra protected. So, what's the most recommendable route?

-I store a lot of media on external hard drives, and would like to make back ups of those drives. What's the best software to use for scheduled, incremental back ups for external HD to external HD file back ups?

Thanks, guys!

super duper (paid version) is what I use, it'll do smart copy, which is the incremental backup you want, and I'm pretty sure it'll do external to external, though I haven't used it for that.

I use super duper to clone my entire MBP, which a bootable backup. So if my hard drive suddenly dies, I could plug in the backup, boot off of that and not miss a beat.

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I save all my iMac data onto a Drobo. I also have 2 1T external HD, one as a Time Machine backup and the other partitioned for SuperDuper (iMac and MBP).
I do a SD backup once in a while when the system and new apps run OK just to have a bootable HD. TM backup is self-explanatory.

I have an off-site backup with Mozy. Mozy gave me a lot of trouble in the past, albeit intermittently resulting in having to rebackup some 60+GB. That was painful and time consuming. However Mozy has improved over the last couple of years and I have no issues with them now. I will only move to another server if there is a reason to do so as it takes lots of hours to backup the 60+GB of data. Offsite back is a must if you have critical data which you don't want to reconstruct or lose forever. You can select mounted drives, folders and files for backup under Mozy. Mozy is very easy to get use to.

SuperDuper is an excellent backup application. I know CCC is good too (my daughter uses it) but I have no first hand experience to make any comment.

Good luck and hope you make an informed decision.

jprint714 said:

I'm trying to improve my overall back up system, and could really use some advice...

-I've happily used TimeMachine, but I've been told that I should supplement it by backing up with Carbon Copy Cloner and/or SuperDuper. Are there any benefits to using these app's that TimeMachine doesn't provide? If so, what are they?

Click to expand...

CCC and SD! both make bootable clones of the drive you're backing up. This is handy to have as it can get you back up and running instantly, in the event of a catastrophic failure.

Time Machine is a great backup utility, but recovering from a complete hard drive crash will take some time, as you'll need to install the OS before you can get back to your data.

-If it's NOT advisable use Carbon Copy Cloner and/or SuperDuper, should I use another app for further back ups?

Click to expand...

Both are great apps for making a clone-style backup, if that's what you need.

-I do a lot of sensitive work that requires serious privacy and protection. I'd like to back up using some kind of online service, but only if it could be seriously protected / encrypted. I know iDisk is available, but have also been told that I can use DropBox with some encryption / protection services that would make backing up files on a remote server ultra protected. So, what's the most recommendable route?

Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of online backups, mostly because you are completely at the mercy of that company. If they get hacked or if they're not using appropriate redundancy, I'll never know it - I have to trust their competency. The trouble is, they are HUGE targets for hackers since there's an unimaginable treasure trove of data out there ripe for the plucking. I'm sure these guys have great IT staff, but the risk/benefit is just not there (for me).

-I store a lot of media on external hard drives, and would like to make back ups of those drives. What's the best software to use for scheduled, incremental back ups for external HD to external HD file back ups?

Thanks, guys!

Click to expand...

You really should be looking at replacing them with either a mirrored NAS or RAID1 externals. Both will automatically mirror the data between two drives whenever you send data to them.

I would be extremely cautious with storing your data in on-line backups.
In which country will your data be stored and what law will be applicable.
Very dodgy stuff at the moment and food for lawyers to come up with a good legal framework.

Cheers ... McBie