Portable Backup Solution

Discuss anything related to portable freeware here.
Message
Author
Darkbee
Posts: 291
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:35 am
Contact:

Portable Backup Solution

#1 Post by Darkbee »

I currently use SyncBack for all my syncronization and backup needs. It serves it's purpose well and I have no plans to stop using it for my permanent computer. However, I would really like to have a complete yet lightweight portable backup solution.

My requirements are fairly simple:
I would like to be able to backup selected directories and files in a backup set, not necessarily all subdirectories but unrelated directories and/or files.
I would like for the destination files to be zipped in individual files.
I would like to make incremental backups so that only files that have changed are backed up.

In addition but not necessarily required:
I would like to be able to syncronize directories.

The suggested program on PF.com, namely Freebyte Backup, would probably fit the bill were it not for the fact that it doesn't have the zipped backups; it merely copies all files as is.

I have stumbled across some possible alternatives but am uncertain as to their portability. The strongest candidate so far is probably Polder Backup but I am still not 100% certain if it is portable or not. Does anybody have any suggestions?

XPect
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:38 am
Location: France

#2 Post by XPect »

I could suggest that you take a look at FullSync.
I've just discover this one and it seem to do the job while staying portable.
Setting are stored in the apps directory. I haven't fully check the registry yet but it seem that nothing is stored here.

http://fullsync.sourceforge.net/

Another good program provided by sourceforge :D

Regards

Darkbee
Posts: 291
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:35 am
Contact:

#3 Post by Darkbee »

XPect wrote:I could suggest that you take a look at FullSync.
This program certainly has promise, it looks very much like SyncBack but portable, which would be perfect. The only downside is that, if I understand correctly, the program does not yet support zipping destination backup files. Other than that, it looks perfect. Good find!

Darkbee
Posts: 291
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:35 am
Contact:

#4 Post by Darkbee »

Closer inspection reveals that this program is written in Java, which is a major bummer since that means that it has a dependancy on the not-so-small Java Virtual Machine.

I don't think this really counts as portable but thanks all the same.

goodtimetribe
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:44 pm
Location: Dallas, TX
Contact:

#5 Post by goodtimetribe »

Darkbee wrote:Closer inspection reveals that this program is written in Java, which is a major bummer since that means that it has a dependancy on the not-so-small Java Virtual Machine.

I don't think this really counts as portable but thanks all the same.
I've been toying with good ol' Briefcase. Also, any kind of zipping can be automated through using a command line compresser and a batch file. Even better, you can create shortcuts to the batch files. It seems to be doing the job for me. Yeah, a good program that would do it all for me would be nice, but...(maybe it's something I'll program later, after this semester's over).

XPect
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:38 am
Location: France

#6 Post by XPect »

The other one that I use on a regular basis is ICEMiror, but it doesn't support compression either.

Another one that does compression is TaskZip that can be found below.
http://www.pb-sys.com/
I'm not shure that this one is portable, I've just tried quickly but only on one machine so I can't confirm yet.

Take a look on your side and let me know.

iMartyr
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 8:57 am

#7 Post by iMartyr »

has anyone found a sync utility that can sync open files as they change ? this would be a very useful I currently use allway sync for all of my backup needs but it is to able to handle live sync of files.

User avatar
smaragdus
Posts: 2120
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:24 am
Location: Aeaea

Re:

#8 Post by smaragdus »

XPect wrote:I could suggest that you take a look at FullSync.
I've just discover this one and it seem to do the job while staying portable.
Setting are stored in the apps directory. I haven't fully check the registry yet but it seem that nothing is stored here.

http://fullsync.sourceforge.net/

Another good program provided by sourceforge :D

Regards
I have just tested FullSync- I like it but it is not portable- it creates a folder- C:\Users\XXX\.config\fullsync containing the following files- 'fullsync.log', 'preferences.properties' and 'profiles.xml'- moving these files to FullSync's own folder doesn't help or at least I am missing something. Has anybody tested FullSync (the latest version is 0.10.2) and is there a way to make FullSync portable?

User avatar
tproli
Posts: 1172
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:14 am
Location: Hungary
Contact:

Re: Portable Backup Solution

#9 Post by tproli »

I don't know FullSync but the download page says that "Java must be installed".

User avatar
smaragdus
Posts: 2120
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:24 am
Location: Aeaea

Re: Portable Backup Solution

#10 Post by smaragdus »

@tproli
For me the problem it is not Java but the lack of portability- DirSync Pro also requires Java but in contrast with FullSync it is fully portable.

User avatar
tproli
Posts: 1172
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:14 am
Location: Hungary
Contact:

Re: Portable Backup Solution

#11 Post by tproli »

I see. Use this if there's no official solution:
http://rolandtoth.hu/yaP/#examples/FullSync.ini

User avatar
smaragdus
Posts: 2120
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:24 am
Location: Aeaea

Re: Portable Backup Solution

#12 Post by smaragdus »

I have just tested it and it works! You created it for me? Many thanks!!

By the way are you the developer of yaP?

User avatar
tproli
Posts: 1172
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:14 am
Location: Hungary
Contact:

Re: Portable Backup Solution

#13 Post by tproli »

For anyone who needs it. Yes, it was me :)

User avatar
smaragdus
Posts: 2120
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:24 am
Location: Aeaea

Re: Portable Backup Solution

#14 Post by smaragdus »

Thank you once again. I tried to use yaP but I failed (although I read the instructions (Usage) carefully), it seems I missed or messed up something. :oops:

Anyway, I will try yaP again but I'd better study the examples first. :)

Just a question- may I ask you to create another example so that I would be able to compare it with my unsuccessful one and see why I failed?

Regards

User avatar
tproli
Posts: 1172
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:14 am
Location: Hungary
Contact:

Re: Portable Backup Solution

#15 Post by tproli »

Yes, reading the docs helps in most cases :)

There are almost 200 examples:
http://rolandtoth.hu/yaP/#examples

If that's not enough, post your malfunctioning config to check.

Post Reply