Incremental backups using Sprite Backup

Riker · 08-04-05, 06:17 PM

I recently purchased Sprite Backup 3.14

What I am missing and would like, is an 'incremental backup' option like that which exists in the Activesync.

Performing a full backup of the main memory of my X50v still takes too long using Sprite. At least, the incremental backup with Activesync was quite quick, because usually, there are only a few changes to the system from day to day. And no, I prefer not to do a full scheduled backup with Sprite, as my computer is not always on, and I am always 'on the go'

What I really miss I suppose, is BackupBuddy from my Palm days, which performed full backups in an incremental manner (i.e. it only made changes to the backup to files that had changed), was reliable, and very quick

Am I missing something with Sprite ??? Otherwise, I am left feeling a bit disappointed

coolabah · 08-04-05, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Riker

I recently purchased Sprite Backup 3.14

What I am missing and would like, is an 'incremental backup' option like that which exists in the Activesync.

Performing a full backup of the main memory of my X50v still takes too long using Sprite. At least, the incremental backup with Activesync was quite quick, because usually, there are only a few changes to the system from day to day. And no, I prefer not to do a full scheduled backup with Sprite, as my computer is not always on, and I am always 'on the go'

What I really miss I suppose, is BackupBuddy from my Palm days, which performed full backups in an incremental manner (i.e. it only made changes to the backup to files that had changed), was reliable, and very quick

Am I missing something with Sprite ??? Otherwise, I am left feeling a bit disappointed

I'm not sure what you are finding a problem - but perhaps your Palm backed up in a matter of seconds in which case Sprite must seem to be a snail! I set Sprite to automatically back up each morning to SD card before I wake up but even if you are waiting it only takes about 60 seconds for 7 Mb (compressed) file). I do agree that back-up to PC takes much longer but personally view these PC backups as a just-in-case-never-realistically-need-it back-up to my SD card back-up, I tend to also let this happen whilst busy doing something else on the PC- It sounds like you lead a busy life but if you never sit at your PC then it is an expensive paper weight......

G M Fude · 08-04-05, 06:53 PM

BackupBuddy truly is a great program, but it has things a lot easier than Sprite because of the way the Palm OS works. Have you heard the BackupBuddy people are looking for beta testers for a PPC version? There was a thread in the last week or so about this, either here or at PocketPCThoughts.

MrKlaatu · 08-04-05, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Riker

And no, I prefer not to do a full scheduled backup with Sprite, as my computer is not always on,

You don't even need your PC to do a Scheduled Back-Up. You don't even need your PPC "ON", it'll turn itself on, do the backup, Soft Reset and (depending on your Device Settings), turn it back OFF for you.

Quote:

and I am always 'on the go'

I don't know anybody who is on the go 24/7, without some sort of routine time-out that could run a Scheduled Back-Up to CF or SD, while they are sleeping.

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axim_wannabe · 08-04-05, 07:31 PM

well, since most of my apps are in BIS... i use Sprite to backup MAIN MEMORY every day at 1:00 am through "scheduled backups"... the end product is a 7MB file (compressed), and it takes about a minute

then EVERY weekend, i manually backup BOTH BIS and MAIN Memory to the SD card, and transfer it to my desktop via a card reader

Riker · 08-04-05, 07:31 PM

Thanks for the quick responses thus far. My point still stands, in that if Sprite Backup offered an 'incremental' type backup option, the process would be a lot quicker, regardless of whether the backup is scheduled or manually done to the PC or SD/CF card. If Activesync can do incremental backups, why can't Sprite ??

Yes, I do lead a busy life unfortunately (something I would like to change !!). Some responses have indicated that the solution is to just do a scheduled backup 'on the go'. Yes, this is a work around, but not ideal. If the whole process was quicker, there are also other advantages eg. less writing to the memory card whilst backing up, therefore, increasing battery life etc.

I am surprised that people haven't mentioned this option or lack of option with Sprite before. Why is it necessary to write around 20 MB (of main memory) when backing up each time, when only a few files have changed from day to day ??

Sprite is good, but not perfect yet in my opinion. The beta version of BackupBuddy sounds very interesting - I'll certainly check it out. I have bought Sprite Backup however, although I am aware that Sprite do offer a very good 30 day money back guarantee.

axim_wannabe · 08-04-05, 07:55 PM

yes, i would have to agree with you that an incremental backup is a good idea for Sprite...

however, what is the gripe of having FULL Main Memory backups in one minute? amongst 24 hours? arent you just being so anal (forgive the pun) about 60 seconds? are you so on the go, that you cannot take 1 minute from your busy schedule, and perform a backup?

to answer your question why Sprite cannot - IMO, maybe they can but it is not worth putting that code/functionality, right? i mean, if the difference in an INC backup versus a FUL is just 30 seconds, what do you get?

PS: THERE is no such THING as a PERFECT SOFTWARE - people would always tend to find a problem somewhere or somehow

BUT - of course, the final decision is for you to make...

cheers!!!

Riker · 08-04-05, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by axim_wannabe

yes, i would have to agree with you that an incremental backup is a good idea for Sprite...

however, what is the gripe of having FULL Main Memory backups in one minute? amongst 24 hours? arent you just being so anal (forgive the pun) about 60 seconds? are you so on the go, that you cannot take 1 minute from your busy schedule, and perform a backup?

to answer your question why Sprite cannot - IMO, maybe they can but it is not worth putting that code/functionality, right? i mean, if the difference in an INC backup versus a FUL is just 30 seconds, what do you get?

PS: THERE is no such THING as a PERFECT SOFTWARE - people would always tend to find a problem somewhere or somehow

BUT - of course, the final decision is for you to make...

cheers!!!

Can't believe how some people are so defensive about their favourite programs so much so that they can't stand to hear any constructive criticisms. I would have thought that the advantages to incremental backups are obvious as stated in my previous post.

I agree that there is no perfect software, but without constructive criticism, there is no incentive to improve. I'll post some feedback directly to Sprite - they will hopefully be more open to the idea that their software could be improved upon.

stevenator65 · 08-04-05, 08:42 PM

I use and like Sprite, but is there any competition? BackupBuddy sounds interesting and competition tends to produce better and cheaper software for us.

08-04-05, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Riker

Can't believe how some people are so defensive about their favourite programs so much so that they can't stand to hear any constructive criticisms. I would have thought that the advantages to incremental backups are obvious as stated in my previous post.

I suspect people couldn't figure out why you were focusing so much on how quick BUB is compared to Sprite. Let's face it, a few seconds vs. a minute is pretty insignificant in the overall scope of things.

OTOH, there may be some real benefits to incremental backup, but those were not emphasized in your initial post.

(BTW, I don't give a rodent's rump which software other people want to use or have on their wishlist. I figure, whatever works best for you. :approve: )

coolabah · 08-04-05, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Riker

Can't believe how some people are so defensive about their favourite programs so much so that they can't stand to hear any constructive criticisms. I would have thought that the advantages to incremental backups are obvious as stated in my previous post.

I agree that there is no perfect software, but without constructive criticism, there is no incentive to improve. I'll post some feedback directly to Sprite - they will hopefully be more open to the idea that their software could be improved upon.

No, with all respect I think everyone was just adding to the discussion, at least IMHO - unless you are referring to another thread

. Look I agree, incremental backup sounds like a great idea - but for a 160 Gb hard drive. It's just that I don't personally find it high on my wish list for Sprite, which does all I want it to do @ 100% reliability. In case you are not yet aware (as you only recently bought the program) , you can set up sprite to backup as a self executing file- this is what I find invaluable: just click on it and you have restored your PPC- a lifesaver:not_worth . I wonder how this would work with an incremental back-up; to me there just seems so much more to go wrong- so much seems kinda quirky and unstable at the best of times in a PPC if releability or ease of use is affected then this would be no use to me, personally. If not, then great. Another 30 seconds of my life to waste at will ! :approve:

axim_wannabe · 08-05-05, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by Riker

Can't believe how some people are so defensive about their favourite programs so much so that they can't stand to hear any constructive criticisms. I would have thought that the advantages to incremental backups are obvious as stated in my previous post.

I agree that there is no perfect software, but without constructive criticism, there is no incentive to improve. I'll post some feedback directly to Sprite - they will hopefully be more open to the idea that their software could be improved upon.

i am not being defensive - it could be any other app, Sprite or not...

what i am trying to understand is your desperation in trying to get off some seconds from ONE minute...

PS: if you have already made up your mind on something (that Sprite is severely lacking), why bother to post anyway, and get to hear answers from others, right?

axim_wannabe · 08-05-05, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by coolabah

I wonder how this would work with an incremental back-up; to me there just seems so much more to go wrong- so much seems kinda quirky and unstable at the best of times in a PPC if releability or ease of use is affected then this would be no use to me, personally. If not, then great. Another 30 seconds of my life to waste at will ! :approve:

yes - for something that performs already at 100% reliability for one minute - do you think a software developer would risk making it perform in 30 seconds and not sure of the reliablity?

for one, backing up an entire set of files is MUCH FASTER (especially for a small sized amount like a few MBs) than (1) finding which ones have changed, (2) creating a list of that has changed, and (3) backing up from that list and making sure that it changes those specific files inside the ARCHIVE set...

but yes, incremental backup has its advantages (as a previous post has mentioned) - for say, a TERABYTE HDD...

Riker · 08-05-05, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by coolabah

No, with all respect I think everyone was just adding to the discussion, at least IMHO - unless you are referring to another thread

. Look I agree, incremental backup sounds like a great idea - but for a 160 Gb hard drive. It's just that I don't personally find it high on my wish list for Sprite, which does all I want it to do @ 100% reliability. In case you are not yet aware (as you only recently bought the program) , you can set up sprite to backup as a self executing file- this is what I find invaluable: just click on it and you have restored your PPC- a lifesaver:not_worth . I wonder how this would work with an incremental back-up; to me there just seems so much more to go wrong- so much seems kinda quirky and unstable at the best of times in a PPC if releability or ease of use is affected then this would be no use to me, personally. If not, then great. Another 30 seconds of my life to waste at will ! :approve:

Sprite Backup certainly works and does what it is supposed to, and I agree that there are really no other options for the PPC worth considering at this stage. Yes, I was aware of the self executable backup file, but even Data Backup included with our Axims can do this.

I suppose I have come from a background of using incremental backups on a daily basis - and in theory, it is very logical in regards to how to do a backup i.e. after an initial full backup, make subsequent changes to the backup file only those files that have changed, therefore, increasing speed, efficiency, battery power writing the files etc. You still have the option to do a full backup any time or schedule to your heart's content.

That is how BackupBuddy works, and the whole backup process takes literally seconds only with excellent reliability (never failed once with me). Even Activestink can implement incremental backups as an option. It is MUCH quicker doing an incremental backup with Activesync than doing a full backup each and every time. I make a presumption that it would be quicker, in addition to the other benefits, with Sprite also if they were to implement it. It can't be too hard to do, as someone else suggested in this thread, if Activestink can already do it.

Isn't any speed improvement a good thing if reliability is maintained ? Why do we get faster and faster processors ? Why are programs updated so that they are more efficient and faster ?? Why were we all so happy when the screen responsiveness improved on our X50v with the ROM update? All about saving those microseconds. If I could, I would rather wait just a few seconds to backup, than wait a full minute watching the meter go. Makes people more likely to back up in the first instance, no matter how busy (or not) they are.

I'm just surprised something as simple as this is not an option with Sprite (yet).

Riker · 08-05-05, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by axim_wannabe

yes - for something that performs already at 100% reliability for one minute - do you think a software developer would risk making it perform in 30 seconds and not sure of the reliablity?

Are you telling the developer to stop all future development of the program because it may change it's current reliability ?? It doen't even have to affect the current way of backing up. Incremental backups could be made an option only.

Quote:

for one, backing up an entire set of files is MUCH FASTER (especially for a small sized amount like a few MBs) than (1) finding which ones have changed, (2) creating a list of that has changed, and (3) backing up from that list and making sure that it changes those specific files inside the ARCHIVE set...

but yes, incremental backup has its advantages (as a previous post has mentioned) - for say, a TERABYTE HDD...

I disagree. Why don't you try the incremental backup option in Activesync and compare the speed to the full backup option in Activesync. The incremental option is much quicker. Processing speed is usually quicker than physically writing data (on hard disk or on memory card).