Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
the existing interface of the Finder rather than displaying your files
in a completely different context. The downside, though, is that it's
impossible to restore files from multiple locations at the same time.)
After initial setup, the best backup software is virtually invisible,
working silently behind the scenes until you need it.
Price
The backup software included in the
Online Appendixes
ranges in
price from free to about $130 (before discounts). The price does not
necessarily correlate to capabilities, but I urge you not to skimp when
it comes to backup software.
Choose Another Versioned Backup Program
If Time Machine isn't right for you—or if, like me, you want to
supplement it with a more robust and flexible option—you'll need
to pick a different program for creating versioned backups, keeping
in mind the features I've described in
Explore Backup Software
Features
, just previously.
I've tested oodles of applications that can create versioned backups
(as well as many Mac backup apps that can't), and I've included a
fairly detailed feature comparison chart in the
Online Appendixes
.
Please feel free to peruse that at your leisure, download demo
versions, try them out, and draw your own conclusions.
But, if you want my professional advice, I suggest choosing from
among just a few of these that stand out for one reason or another:
•
ChronoSync:
As the name suggests,
ChronoSync
($40, but you
can save 25 percent with the
ChronoSync Coupon
in this topic)
is a program designed primarily for synchronization. For years,
it's been one of my favorite tools for syncing folders between my
Macs. But it's also a powerful backup tool that can create not only
versioned backups but also bootable duplicates. And, thanks to the
$10 add-on program ChronoAgent, it has joined the rarefied ranks
of programs that can create bootable duplicates over a network.
