Backup programs

[ggambler]

I noticed a lot of people having backup apps in their essential list. Doesn`t the treo softeware already have a file named backup ? confused...

[kdallen]

ggambler, a backup app will make a backup copy of your Treo on your SD card. That way, should you ever need to/be forced to do a hard reset (thereby losing all your info), you can restore your Treo from the backups. It's also handy should you add something that doesn't play well with your Treo in that you can just restore from a previous backup set. There are also some available that will make a backup on your computer or onto a server. There are a couple backup apps available in the ET store.

[benjie]

There are two paid programs that are popular and one free one that is popular. I have licenses for the two paid programs that are popular, BackupManager and Resco Backup and use Resco Backup exclusively. The free one is NVBackup. I tried it and it worked okay.

Now, a good backup program is an essential program. If you are running a new Treo device, you should utilize one that has been updated for it. Resco Backup and NVBackup are the two that have seen the most improvements.

Some people have had great success with BackupManager, myself included. Some people have not had great success with BackupManager, myself excluded. I switched from BackupManager to Resco Backup for a very simple reason, BackupManager does not restore Java files; Resco Backup does.

I have no problems with free programs, none at all. I use a few and two of them have been sent donations. if you do decide to use any program, make sure it does what you want and does not introduce a level of instability that you are not prepared to cope with.

From the documentation contained within the NVBackup zip file: Unlike most other backup programs (Dmitry's PowerBackup is the
one exception I know of right now), this one grabs data straight
out of the hidden directory where they are hidden on NVFS device.
In theory, this should make the backup faster and more reliable.
But because doing this is undocumented, there is always danger.

The above interests me and yet causes me oncern. Undocumented stuff when it comes to problems may lead to undocumented problems that can be hard to diagnose, especially if the party that...you know what I mean. Based on that, I stick with things that work in the normal manner.

Anyway, on this forum there is a lot of information posted on backup programs, memory managment, and things like that. Take the time to read the threads, there is a lot of information there that can save you lots of headaches.

Searches that might help are: memory management, third party launchers and so forth.

Also, try hard before you buy. Ben

[maceyr]

Hotsync isn't a very reliable means of backup. You can't keep an archive (unless you manually change and rename the Backup folder and keep an archive yourself) with hotsync. You are only as good as your last hotsync with regards to a backup. With a backup software program, you can easily restore your entire device with all the files, programs, etc (almost like a drive image in Windows) back to a previously saved or archived state or simply restore only specific files or programs.

If you've ever experienced problems or reset loops or crashes, you will understand the importance of a backup and especially a backup archive. Having one will save you a lot of problems, hassles, and time.

[benjie]

Speaking of hot sync, I use BackupBuddy - it beats the heck out of the Palm backup program. Ben

[Kreth]

Speaking of hot sync, I use BackupBuddy - it beats the heck out of the Palm backup program. Ben

There's currently three different versions of BackupBuddy:

1. BackupBuddyVFS - backup to SD card
2. BackupBuddy - backup to desktop
3. BackupBuddy.net - OTA encrypted backup to Blue Nomad's (BackupBuddy developer) servers

[ggambler]

In regards to backupbuddy, would the backup to desktop be enough or should I also consider the one to SD ?

[Kreth]

In regards to backupbuddy, would the backup to desktop be enough or should I also consider the one to SD ?

Personal preference. I use both, as I like the redundancy. The SD card backup is nice, as you can recover from a crash within about 10 minutes, even if you're nowhere near your PC.

[benjie]

I use the BackupBuddy desktop application to backup to the laptop on a daily basis. It supports backing up the card also, which is the only reason I use it! I use Resco Backup to backup to the SD card on a daily basis. I use both like Master Kreth does - redundancy, very important. Recovering from a crash quickly saves time and aggrevation. If you are really serious about backups, then also include NorthGlide's On Guard/Restore utility - it really enhances the backup situation.

Ben

[ggambler]

hmm that's really good info. So Backupbuddy and Resco are two of the same right ? How bout in terms of user friendly interfaces... I use a mac and I'm fairly new to my Treo 650 and still on the learning curve so I don't want to have to deal with anything too complex.