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Idea #17488: An easy backup solution for the common Ubuntu user

bug This idea is a duplicate of Idea #1: Easy way of backing up/moving your documents and settings.
Written by a big jerk the 20 Jan 09 at 05:24. Category: System. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
I have looked through several posts that are describing how to backup files, mentioning time machine, and there have been people who have pointed to programs that look too complicated for the average Ubuntu user.

Fact is, I'd love to see something built into the OS for everyone to use.

The thing about Time Machine is that files cannot be accessed because there are symbolic links, so going this route is kind of frustrating. I'm proposing several options and methods that would make this a simpler and more effective task. I don't think the average user should use terminal commands for this.

68
votes
closed
Solution #1: A system preference for backing things up
Written by a big jerk the 20 Jan 09 at 05:24.
My solution would be folder to drive, drive to drive, or folder to folder (there'd be a chooser menu). Rather than show every little bit of information like FileVault does, there could either be an advanced menu or "Details" page that lists your times for last backups, and files backed up in a tabbed view. Default would be "clone" for a proper backup, but there could be a checkbox if you wanted to mirror a drive, like if it was something you took with you a lot and added to it.

"Computer Backup"
Entire Computer -> Hard drive (connected or through a server/network)
[Manual or Automatic?] - [If auto, interval of time to run backup]
[Folders/Applications exempt]
[Last backup time]

"Directory Backup"
Hard drive/folder -> Hard drive/folder (connected or through a server/network)
[Manual or Automatic?] - [If auto, interval of time to run backup]
[Folders exempt]
[Mirror or Clone?]
[Last backup time]

There would also be a restore option built into the Ubuntu installer. - (added 1/24)

I tried to write as much as I could, but it is clearly not a full idea yet; I am not a programmer but I have an eye for design. I wanted to get it out there, because everyone would benefit from having a solution to save their important files. There are programs that do this for linux, but it should really come built in.

Take a look at http://propagandaprod.com . Deja Vu has some of the characteristics of my idea, but not entirely.
25
votes
closed
Solution #2: Make Flyback an officially supported app.
Written by r0g the 20 Jan 09 at 19:11.
It has the same kind of functionality as time machine and it's _very_ simple to use.

It could do with a few tweaks such as offering a maximum file size cutoff setting and maybe adding a dialog that offers to start it automatically so people don't need to manually add it to sessions but other than that it's seems good to go.

It's written in Python too so the mods should be pretty quick and easy to make.
-1
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Solution #3: Simple but extensive
Written by goblinlord the 29 Jan 09 at 03:52.
Installed package information could be collected and then any packages not found in the repositories could be optionally stored. If non-rep packages the user could be warned and prompted to store or not as well as a list of them printed out. Also, any configuration files that are setup during install. This would make reinstallation much smoother as after a fresh install all packages previously installed could be easily restored. Also, any configuration files that are setup during install.

At this point, the users Home folder could be saved with all multimedia files or large files being optionally backed up. This can be dealt with by a simple prompt for the user once and then store in a configuration for optionally changing later. This would then need to have a list of extensions that you want excluded and a size limit for files.

Lastly, you can have a complete backup for a specified folder optionally (this looks as it is already being looked at).

These things would take care of fresh installation all they way to bringing you back with your previous configuration as well as have the option of restoring multimedia.

These backups could be divided into 4 types.

Core System (installed packages & system config)
User Profile and Documents (excludes certain files)
User Multimedia
Specified Folder (Complete backup)

Each of which could be stored seperately. This being in just different files in a single folder or on seperate medium all together (differant HDDs or even burned seperately or together on a CD/DVD).

Each should be able to be modified once the information is backed up so that they changed. This way you can have one base backup and optionally a define number of incremental backups afterwards. The base and first incremental backup should be able to be combined easily when another incremental backup is made and the other incremental backups shifted back.

Some of this has already been suggested and I appologize if any of it is repeat suggestions.

Shifting back a bit the "flow" for the user could go something as follows:

1. Prompt if they would like to backup core system (programs)

Yes - Prompt if they would like to do a full backup or "slim" backup (and notify them that restoring from a "slim" backup may require an internet connection). Also, if "slim" then list non-rep packages and ask if they would like to back them up or not.

No - Continue

2. Prompt if they would like to backup their profile

Yes - Prompt if they would like to store multimedia and large files

No - Continue

3. Prompt if they would like to backup any additional files

Yes - present with folder/file selection window

No - Continue

4. Ask where/how they would like to store backup data

5. Ask if they would like to save the settings and schedule backups regularly

Yes - Create a profile for these settings and cron job as well as setup a default incremental setting

No - Continue

6. Backup data based on information collected


As it seems there is already something in the works looking at:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FoundationsTeam/Specs/Backup


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Comments
aliam13_2 wrote on the 27 Jan 09 at 21:56
If solution 1 was implemented, then please don't force us to use manual or timed backup schedule. These are great options, but a 3rd option is available. Allow the setting of something like
backup after 1 hour of 1st boot of the day, or
backup after 30 minutes of 1st boot of the week

etc. Some thought will have to be put into what should happen if you turn off your computer before the 1st hour (or what ever you set) has passed.

r0g wrote on the 28 Jan 09 at 00:03
re: #2 Actually having used it for a few weeks now it could do with a bit more polish. I had to add it to crontab by hand I don't see the need for the file/folder list in the main window - it seems to put tick by all the folders that -aren't- backed up and the include/exclude list in Preferences would seem to be sufficient on its own.

Still, I'm still sure this is the way to attack the problem (incrementally with hard links), once I completed my first backup my subsequent ones have taken a handful of seconds and bytes per day :)

TwistedLincoln wrote on the 10 Feb 09 at 20:12
Flyback is installed by default in Nexradix, and should be in Ubuntu as well. It still needs some polish (it's a bit hard to figure out the first time you use it), but it is far easier than most of the methods out there.


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