Quote:
Originally Posted by pilotbob
Are you talking about OS X "Time Machine"? If so, that actually runs every HOUR... copying anything that changed on your Mac to the Time Machine external drive.
BOb
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It only backs up every hour if the drive is connected.
The drawback to leaving a backup drive permanently connected is that you risk losing the whole lot in the case of theft or fire. When I first started working with computers around 25 years ago the first data loss I ever experienced was due to theft not drive failure. Fortunately I had drilled into the company the need to back up their data and keep the copy in the safe - which they been doing. Theft of computers/laptops from homes and businesses is actually pretty common now, plus external back-up drives are a perfect small item to slip into a thief's pocket or backpack.
I've found it a lot easier to get back-up drills established in businesses than in a home situation. At home most people mean to get a routine going but rarely stick to it. It's not so much the fine detail of the plan that's important as whether they actually DO it or not.
Once a week works best for me because I know that - in reality - I won't keep disconnecting and re-connecting it every time I leave the house. The stuff that gets added in between is mostly not irreplaceable and could be re-entered if necessary. If there is anything vital in between I stick it on a thumb-drive or email it to myself, where it stays on the server for a week.
Cheers,
Chris