Easy Backup Question

Sydney's Mom · 01-14-2010, 06:02 PM

I have 961 books in Calibre, and I couldn't manage them without Calibre. I am sure there is an easier way to back up than what I am doing.

As soon as I buy a new book, I save it to my desktop, remove DRM, and import it into Calibre. Then I delete it from my desktop,. Every week, I backup my computer. I also copy Calibre onto an SD card. Each week I erase the SD card, and highlight all my books, and choose save to disk. Is there a way to just save the books added since the last backup?

pilotbob · 01-14-2010, 06:16 PM

Are you on a windows PC?

You could open a command window and use

xcopy *.* e:\SDCARDPATH /d

But, that might be a bit slow because I still think it has to compare the file dates on all the files.. but it will only copy those files with newer dates.

You could also use:

xcopy *.* e:\SDCARDPATH /M

this reads the Archive attribute. This is a built in file attribute that is designed for backup software. When you create a new file it is set on. When you copy the file with the command above it is set off. The command only copies files with the attribute and it removes the attribute after it copies. Also, if you modify a file the attribute is set again.

How big is your library? You might want to use dropbox which will back up your files to the "cloud" automatically. It is free for up to 2GB and happens on the fly.

If you want to get a dropbox account let me know... I will send you an invite which will give me some free extra space.

Baring the above you could use a real backup program. Something like Crash Plan which is free (if you don't pay for the online storage).

BOb

daffy4u · 01-14-2010, 06:23 PM

I'm doing what BOb says. I have a Calibre folder saved on Dropbox which makes it available to all 3 computers. I then use Goodsync to sync each computer with Dropbox. You can choose a 2-way or 1-way sync in either direction.

pilotbob · 01-14-2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I'm doing what BOb says. I have a Calibre folder saved on Dropbox which makes it available to all 3 computers. I then use Goodsync to sync each computer with Dropbox. You can choose a 2-way or 1-way sync in either direction.

Yes, good sync is a great little program.

But, erm... why do you use goodsync to dropbox? Why not just put your calibre library into your dropbox?

BOb

daffy4u · 01-14-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Yes, good sync is a great little program.

But, erm... why do you use goodsync to dropbox? Why not just put your calibre library into your dropbox?

BOb

It is there but I have 3 computers and I want access even when I don't have a Wi-Fi connection. If something should happen and Dropbox goes down, I'm still covered.

I also have them uploaded to my website so that I can use ftp to access them directly from my Kindle (I have to manually sync that one).

Sydney's Mom · 01-14-2010, 06:41 PM

Thanks. I will try it. PBob, I will PM you with an email. Thank you!

pilotbob · 01-14-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

Thanks. I will try it. PBob, I will PM you with an email. Thank you!

Invite sent!

BOb

Sydney's Mom · 01-14-2010, 08:04 PM

Thanks Daffy and pilotbob. I feel so much better. I used Crashplan to save my ebook file to my SD card, and saved my ebook file to Dropbox. And I backup my entire computer to an HD every Saturday (sounds like someone lost some data once!)

Calibre is such a wonderful program! I didn't start using it until a couple months ago, when I had about 700 books, and it seemed like a lot of work to get it set up. But I added 200 books since, and now I don't know what I would do without it. Amazon can keep its folders, I just want Calibre!

pilotbob · 01-14-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

Calibre is such a wonderful program! I didn't start using it until a couple months ago, when I had about 700 books, and it seemed like a lot of work to get it set up. But I added 200 books since, and now I don't know what I would do without it. Amazon can keep its folders, I just want Calibre!

"Hey Lucy... you ga sum readin' ta do!"

BOb

DoctorOhh · 01-15-2010, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

It is there but I have 3 computers and I want access even when I don't have a Wi-Fi connection. If something should happen and Dropbox goes down, I'm still covered.

I'll have to check out goodsync.

I have my dropbox syncing on 4 computers. Two at work and two at home. Now that dropbox has LAN sync the sync time between computers on the same LAN is fast.

I not only have my Calibre library in dropbox but Calibre as well. Add to that most of the portableapps.com programs and I have a steady set of apps available and synced between all 4 machines.

Sydney's Mom · 01-15-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

"Hey Lucy... you ga sum readin' ta do!"

BOb

The only response I can come up with is stuffing the books in my mouth! Eating them would certainly be faster! Seriously, I read 200+ books last year, the first year with my kindle. I love it!

JSWolf · 01-15-2010, 04:33 PM

I've been using SyncToy 2.1 to synchronize my backups to my eBooks. It's free from Microsoft. And it doesn't overwrite anything that's not changed.

Lady Fitzgerald · 08-02-2010, 11:39 AM

I use Carbonite to back up all of my data online. It quietly works automatically in the background and only uploads when there is no other activity on the computer. It costs only $55/year, well worth it since you don't have to remember to do your backups. This is not a replacement for full system backups since all it will back up is data but it does ensure that all data is currently backed up, something weekly, or even daily, backups will not fully do. A broadband connection is required.

pilotbob · 08-02-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livedrive

Try <<NO FREE AD FOR YOU>> they give you unlimited storage and backup. Dropbox only gives you 2GB not enough to backup all your music, photos and videos. They have a 2 week free trial which does not require entering your credit card details. Their software is really easy to use and backs up your files on your computer without you even noticing. They also offer some of the most comprehensive features of any online storage software such as being able to stream your entire collection of music and videos straight onto your iPhone or iPad. Check it out!

That's a bit misleading isn't it? While DropBox gives you 2GB that is for a FREE account. Your web site mentioned nothing about a free account.

Also, if you want sync from <<REDACTED>> it appears you need the "briefcase" service. So, $18 a month compared to free changes things a bit.

Also, with dropbox from referring other people my DB is up to 5.5GBs which is plenty to hold my ebook library, all my documents and some other stuff too. I am very happy with DropBox.

Of course, if a full PC backup is what you are looking for yes there are less expensive services. Crashplan looks to have the best prices/service if you have multiple PCs to back up.

I hope you didn't just come here to advertise your service.

BOb

DoctorOhh · 08-02-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I hope you didn't just come here to advertise your service.

BOb,

The post you quoted has been apparently deleted as spam. You might want to delete the link from the quote and not give them further free advertising.

Nice info in your post.

Just for the record I am now up to 7.5G of free space on my Dropbox.

01-14-2010, 06:02 PM	#1
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,895 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	Easy Backup Question I have 961 books in Calibre, and I couldn't manage them without Calibre. I am sure there is an easier way to back up than what I am doing. As soon as I buy a new book, I save it to my desktop, remove DRM, and import it into Calibre. Then I delete it from my desktop,. Every week, I backup my computer. I also copy Calibre onto an SD card. Each week I erase the SD card, and highlight all my books, and choose save to disk. Is there a way to just save the books added since the last backup?

01-14-2010, 06:23 PM	#3
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	I'm doing what BOb says. I have a Calibre folder saved on Dropbox which makes it available to all 3 computers. I then use Goodsync to sync each computer with Dropbox. You can choose a 2-way or 1-way sync in either direction. Attached Thumbnails

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01-14-2010, 06:16 PM	#2
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Are you on a windows PC? You could open a command window and use xcopy . e:\SDCARDPATH /d But, that might be a bit slow because I still think it has to compare the file dates on all the files.. but it will only copy those files with newer dates. You could also use: xcopy . e:\SDCARDPATH /M this reads the Archive attribute. This is a built in file attribute that is designed for backup software. When you create a new file it is set on. When you copy the file with the command above it is set off. The command only copies files with the attribute and it removes the attribute after it copies. Also, if you modify a file the attribute is set again. How big is your library? You might want to use dropbox which will back up your files to the "cloud" automatically. It is free for up to 2GB and happens on the fly. If you want to get a dropbox account let me know... I will send you an invite which will give me some free extra space. Baring the above you could use a real backup program. Something like Crash Plan which is free (if you don't pay for the online storage). BOb

01-14-2010, 06:41 PM	#6
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,895 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	Thanks. I will try it. PBob, I will PM you with an email. Thank you!

01-14-2010, 08:04 PM	#8
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,895 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	Thanks Daffy and pilotbob. I feel so much better. I used Crashplan to save my ebook file to my SD card, and saved my ebook file to Dropbox. And I backup my entire computer to an HD every Saturday (sounds like someone lost some data once!) Calibre is such a wonderful program! I didn't start using it until a couple months ago, when I had about 700 books, and it seemed like a lot of work to get it set up. But I added 200 books since, and now I don't know what I would do without it. Amazon can keep its folders, I just want Calibre!

01-15-2010, 04:33 PM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,866 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I've been using SyncToy 2.1 to synchronize my backups to my eBooks. It's free from Microsoft. And it doesn't overwrite anything that's not changed.

08-02-2010, 11:39 AM	#13
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	I use Carbonite to back up all of my data online. It quietly works automatically in the background and only uploads when there is no other activity on the computer. It costs only $55/year, well worth it since you don't have to remember to do your backups. This is not a replacement for full system backups since all it will back up is data but it does ensure that all data is currently backed up, something weekly, or even daily, backups will not fully do. A broadband connection is required.

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