Hey, I keep hearing about the importance of backing up in Linux. It's a little daunting because it makes it seem like my computer's going to crash any second. (One guy said backup every five minutes.) Anyway, eschwartz, I did look at your backup link and it was just way too complicated for me. I just write books and need to back those up.
However, people have said I need to back up "configurable" files, as well, and I don't know what configurable files (or folders) are. Some people have said 'Just save home/gregory.' But I saved just the Documents folder (and it wasn't that big) to Google Drive and it took 20 minutes. And I tried but couldn't save the home folder anyway. (Somebody said I needed to be root to do that.)
So:
1)what are configurable files/folders and do I need to back them up or can I just back up my writing?
2)I've heard a bunch of people say Grsync is perfect for my needs.
3) I have heard others say Grsync lulls you into a false sense of security that your stuff is being backed up and you're better off just saving to a flash drive.
4) Then there is the cloud drive backup scenario. As mentioned I already have Google Drive, but places like iDrive
www.idrive.com/online-backup-features.htm has continuous backup and allows me to have several different computers on one account and allows me to sync the same files I will be working on in three different computers. And Cyphertite,
www.cyphertite.com/plans.php which is pretty much the same thing but open source and supposedly has better encryption, but I don't think I can have all three computers on one account. (If I went cloud, I'm leaning toward iDrive.)
I know this is a blob of questions, but you guys are so expert at Linux I know you can figure it out easily.
Bonus question: Is Sourcefourge no longer reliable for downloading? I've ready nasty things about them bundling malware with their downloads.
Thanks guys.