I just backed up my computer! It was easy. When is the last time you backed up yours?
Aha – do you feel the dreaded FUD; Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt? I know that feeling well. Here’s the problem. Most backups require some work and a lot of time. So you keep saying “I should…” It’s human nature.
I used IBM Rescue & Recovery (disclaimer: I have been an IBM employee for 12 years) and was completely blown away by its simplicity. I suppose there are other programs out there that make backups as easy. I’m not trying to sell this program, but I was genuinely impressed.
I used a USB hard drive enclosure and an old 160Gb drive for the backup. The enclosure cost about $40 from Mwave. I hadn’t checked the specs on it and was a little worried. Some enclosures can’t see more than 126Gb, but I lucked out and this one did. It didn’t really matter because my C: drive, though 200Gb in capacity, only had about 50Gb of programs and data (That data, by the way, includes the entire released recordings of Frank Zappa. I ripped the CDs so I could listen jukebox style on the 802.11b media center plugged into my stereo).
The initial backup took 4 hours. Like any backup system, it is possible to do incremental backups. I don’t care for those, however, and my plan is to schedule full backups every Monday while I’m at work. IBM Rescue and Recovery is included with all IBM systems and will soon be available in a commercial (not limited to IBM systems) version.
9:45:01 AM 
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