[X4U] SuperDupper question

[Neil Laubenthal]

Quoting David Brostoff <listaddr at earthlink.net>:

> Of course SuperDuper is a backup program.

Nope . . .it's a cloning program. That isn't to say that a bootable  
clone of your drive isn't a worthwhile addition to your comprehensive  
backup strategy . . . it is.

> Software that creates and retains duplicates of each new version of a
> file, such as Retrospect, are also backup programs. (The makers of
> Retrospect would like people to believe that programs that create
> clones are not "true" backup programs, but this is only marketing
> speak.)

Nope again . . .I think a survey of professional system administrators  
will tell you that clones aren't backup . . . they're clones. However,  
non professionals sometimes get lost by the distinction . . .and   
given the complete lack of backup that most home users have a simple  
clone is a huge improvement for them . . .but it's not as good as a  
comprehensive backup stragegy . . .which includes clones, versioned  
backups of important fines, and off site copies all of which happen  
should happen automatically so as to eliminate human foibles. This  
comprehensive backup strategy also includes test restorations and  
exercise of the various backups/clones/off site stuff to make sure  
that it works.

> The disadvantage is that the
> files are not in Finder format and need a software program to restore
> them.

That's why Apple invented Time Machine.