Backup Your Mac’s Files. The Guide To Saving Data.

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Backing up files is not the same as cloning a Mac hard drive. When backing up files, you have more options, and potentially, more security because the files can be on a different Mac in a different location, stored on a hard drive away from your Mac.

My favorite Mac file backup application is by far ChronoSync by EconTech.

Not only does ChronoSync have a superb scheduler that’s easy to set, it will synchronize files between two Macs, a Mac and a hard drive, or between two hard drives.

ChronoSync doesn’t clone two hard drives. It synchronizes files between Macs and Macs, Macs and hard drives, even hard drives on a network far away.

Valuable files now won’t get lost during a catastrophic event. ChronoSync is simple to setup, but has plenty of features for complex backup routines, including email notification of errors, notification of success.

So far, we’ve never had a failure.

Dantz Retrospect is also popular among those backing up files between Macs and on network hard drives. Retrospect is more expensive but is a good choice, particularly in a business environment.

Another popular application for synchonized, scheduled backups is You Software’s You Synchronize. It’s feature laden and requires some setup, but works well on multiple Macs and a network environment.

As much as I hate to admit it, Synchronize Pro also does a good job of network backups; synchronizing data between a Mac and another Mac or hard drive on the network.

It’s expensive, feature laden (heavily so), and phones home.

Versions 1 and 2 of Apple’s .Mac utility Backup were not very stable. Backup 3 for .Mac is totally spongeworthy and has worked for me every time, even on nightly scheduled backups to my .Mac account.

Backup is available only for .Mac users but it has a built in scheduler, is very simple to set up, and can automatically sync Mail (everything), your Mac’s keychain of LoginIDs and Passwords, and nearly anything else.

I use Backup because it’s incremental, works every time (so far...) and is another way of storing important documents off site and away from a catastrophic problem in my home office.

Is this a comprehensive list of backup options for your Mac? No. There are plenty of freeware, shareware, and commercialware applications, most of which will do a good job.

I tend to voice an opinion on those I’ve used and that work well for me. Your mileage may vary.

What do you use for backup? Do you clone a Mac’s hard drive, synchronize select files with another Mac or external hard drive or network drive? Do you use DVDs and keep backups away from the office or home?

What’s your strategy? Share the wealth and enter your anonymous Comments below…

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