InSync

One of the problems that I run into over and over again all over is how to keep an accurate and up-to-date backup. Backing up your files on a regular basis is probably the most important maintenance function that you can possibly perform. It is also perhaps one of the most overlooked tasks there is.

I solved this problem by using two different products at the same time. The first is the excellent Second Copy, which is very well suited for disk-to-disk backup operations. The second is a wonderfully fast product called InSync, which is perfect for over-the-network disk copies.

Second Copy has more options but is slower than InSync. I've found that the combination of the two products makes for a good match.

What I've done is purchase a device called a Snap! Server, which is basically a disk on the network. This device is 40gb in size, which makes it ideal for backing up all of the files on my system. I use InSync to perform mass backups of each of my disks across the network to the Snap! Server. Second Copy is used for selective copies of directories and files as needed.

InSync is inexpensive, around $20 for a single user copy. It's also by far the fastest backup program that I have ever seen. Highly recommended.