I am looking forward to using these services samuria but just not for this project. I don't think the security is all that good in the cloud for a free service. I do use Google Drive for a few things. And I can only imagine it would take a long time to backup all the stuff I have to the cloud.
I have used all sorts of software for regular scheduled backups OS and Data, both for personal and Commercial data and am currently using Aomei Backupper to do my 256GB system SSD on a Tuesday, (takes around Fifteen minutes ). I do a full Data backup every Thursday across multiple drives and partitions (takes around 5-6 Hours with a compressed file of (currently) 1.6 Terabytes) As my data needs are greater than most and can contain commercial data I use the commercial version of the Aomei software but the free version has a lot to recommend for regular home users.
You will notice that I have only mentioned full backups, this is because I do not bother with intermediate backups but keep several copies of the regular full backups. A lot of rarely changeable data is also stored in NAS and local storage so provides some backup redundancy.
Work in progress is also often kept synced across multiple devices using Cloud storage (OneDrive), so is protected that way between backups. It's quite simple to crate a Work in progress folder (link on desktop) that can be split into the same structure as the way you use for long term storage - add these to the OneDrive sync folders and forget them - when you complete the task you move the files and they are removed from the online store for you
When dealing with my photography as I import images into Adobe Lightroom they are converted to digital negative format and the originals are copied to a separate scratch location until they have been backed up
Backups are an important thing and so a structure that works for you whilst not being to awkward that you don't bother to keep it up is something that all serious users need to consider
I use Aomei also, but not for file syncing. Yes, your needs are far greater than mine. I only need to sync my files, and need that sync backup to be usable, as on a USB, in case I misplace or damage my main USB. My current personal file system consists of three USB's of high quality, and sync from the Main USB to the other two..
Now for this project, will be syncing to an external drive x2.
Thanks, Nasty7
Last edited by feetand nches; 28 Feb 2018 at 09:31.
Backup and syncing are similar but different system processes - at least in the way that I was taught
Syncing is a derivation of synchronising which is a system where two or more locations are kept identical. This can be one way or two way (or multiway)
Assuming three synchronised data stores - A, B, & C
In Full Synching any change in any of the locations will be replicated immediately without human intervention in the other two locations. This system can have problems with modern Ransomware attacks as the application of locks on a file on A can be replicated, (posh word for copied,) to C and D
The way that Microsoft's OneDrive or Google's Google Drive work meets the criteria of a Full Synching MultiWay system (that is backed up at the server end so can if used carefully be used to recover data locally after a crash
In the same three way system One way synchronization requires a master and slave system(s) if we use A as the master ...
Any change to store A will be replicated instantly in both B & C but changes in B or C will not make any change in A and should, in reality, be reversed to be identical to A
A backup is a copy of the state of data at a single point in time If at any time you copy the contents of A, B or C above you are making a backup A backup is normally removed from the source date after creation to protect the integrity of the backup data...
You bring up valid points I didn't make as clear as I should have. Syncing is a tool that can be used for creating and maintaining backups. There are various kinds of syncing, depending on the software used. FreeFileSync has Two Way, Mirror, Update, and Custom syncing available, which, thanks to the inclusion of Custom, covers the possible range. When using a folder/file syncing program for making backups, Mirror must be used. one critical thing I failed to mention (which you did, thank you) is that for a backup drive to be a true backup, it must be kept powered down, disconnected, and stored away from the computer at all times, except while updating the backup. Other than for the sake of convenience, speed, efficiency, and, possibly, accuracy, it doesn't matter how a backup copy of data is generated, whether it is by imaging, cloning, or syncing. In my experience, folder/file syncing in Mirror mode is the easiest, fastest, and the most accurate and efficient way I have found for copying data to a backup drive and for updating that backup. I have found FreeFileSync to work well for making and updating backups.
"Which "aforementioned Syncing process" are you referring to Roland, FreeFileSync or Google Drive?"
I was talking about FreeFileSync :)
Apparently, you have been lucky. I've seen occasional posts on the FFS forums stating they do lose the donation perks if they don't upgrade to another donation version. Frankly, I find the non-donation version meets my needs and should for most people who use FFS for creating and maintaining backups.
I also have auto-update turned off. I'm a firm believer in "don't fix what ain't broke!". I don't download every update of anything unless they are security related or they actually fix a problem or add a new feature of benefit to me (even then, I wait a few days or so and make a System image before installing the new version). I also keep older program installation file in case I need to roll back to an earlier installation because the latest one is broken or I just don't like it.
I'm still using 9.5, even though 9.8 is out now) and it's working just fine for me.
The way I look at this is a question of semantics,
If you use a Sync tool to create a copy of the data on an external device then remove or disconnect the device that is a backup - a copy of the state of the media at a specific time
A sync to me will always be a continuous link between two or more data locations which are kept identical over a period of time - this can be a one way, two way, or multiples of this - Once you disconnect a device you create a backup
Traditional backups, and traditional backup software are basically a one off sync process that is immediately broken :)
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