Quick and easy ways to back up individual apps

[kaj7979]

For example, if I wanted to backup quicksilver or netnewswire or any other app with my preferences, is it as simple as backing up the library/application support/ desired app to be backed up

Do I also need to backup somewhere else. I know some programs have data in other places, like Lightroom and Photoshop, but as far as system preferences, is the library/application support area where that is?

Also, I'm curious: is there a good text on leopard/mac that deals with advanced things like terminal, scripting, the folder structure, etc?

thanks for your help. This is my first post!

 

[bobtomay]

Not into the terminal and scripting, so can't help out there.

As for your backups - assuming you are using a separate hard drive to back up your data - you're really creating a lot of unnecessary work for yourself - the easiest way is to use Superduper! or Carbon Copy Cloner and have a full bootable backup. That way if your drive fails, you just re-boot to your external and keep plugging along until you have time to stop and get the internal drive replaced.

 

[kaj7979]

I like the idea of having a bootable backup, but I currently need to format and reinstall becasue 10.5.6 messed things up. I need to go back to 10.5.5. So a bootable backup would not help. Any other ideas on how to do this without all the extra work?

 

[bobtomay]

What Mac do you have - and how did the 10.5.6 mess things up to the point you feel you need to re-install?

If you did the update through Software Update - I'd try downloading the combo update direct from Apple before doing a re-install of the OS.

 

[kaj7979]

I have a MBP. Ever since the update, I have been having graphic issues. These issues are talked about on this the apple forum here
Apple - Support - Discussions - Distorted graphics in Leopard when ...
I have already downloaded the combo update.

Not all those with issues have 10.5.6, but that's when it started with mine. I have tried every solution I could find, but the problem always comes back. I am a little frustrated to say the least. The problem does not occur on a fresh install of 10.5.5 on an external. I am thinking about formatting and gradually adding things back to see if it's software related. Any ideas?

 

[chscag]

Not all those with issues have 10.5.6, but that's when it started with mine. I have tried every solution I could find, but the problem always comes back. I am a little frustrated to say the least. The problem does not occur on a fresh install of 10.5.5 on an external. I am thinking about formatting and gradually adding things back to see if it's software related. Any ideas?

If you plan on "downgrading" back to 10.5.5 there's no easy way to back up applications. Depending on the application it may not even be possible, or, so complicated that it's not worth the effort. I'm referring to large applications like Photoshop, MS Office, etc. You can, however, back up documents and data easy enough.

You would probably be better off doing what you propose above - and that is a fresh install of 5.5 and adding apps back one by one to see if there's any change.

Not everyone who owns a MBP and has upgraded to 10.5.6 is experiencing this problem. And it appears from the forum discussion you quoted that some folks are having the same problem with a basic 10.5.0 install.

Regards.

 

[Aptmunich]

If it's just settings, app data and preferences you're after, most apps store that stuff under
/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.yourAppMaker.AppName.plist
/YourUserName/Library/Application Support/YourAppName

As chscag pointed out 'large', unwieldly apps like MS Office and Photoshop won't be that easy, but other stuff will.