Time Machine is a popular backup tool which comes free with some versions of the Apple operating system.
It, like most Apple products, is quite sexy and has a nice user interface which allows users to scroll back in time and get their data back in the event of a disaster.
Apple don't make this for PCs for obvious reasons (or maybe not, I can't follow who's at war with who anymore) but a reasonable semblance of it can be found in an alternate product.
Oops!Backup promotes itself as being like Time Machine for PCs.
I digress, Oops!Backup was trialled at I Hate My PC labs. It was quite straightforward to use. Remember though, this doesn't necessarily get your data off site and away from potential local disasters. A critical part of any backup strategy IS getting the data offsite and safely "somewhere else".
You too can trial it for 30 days free if you wish. The trial is of the full "Pro" version and, if you don't buy it, it reverts to a free version that keeps working albeit with limited functionality.
It is pretty cheap too. At $37 US I'd buy it (if the trial pans out that is, let's not get too hasty:-).
Time Machine for PCs - reader feedback
After this article was first published I had some feedback other options...
Hi David
As an alternative to Oops!Backup have a look at Comodo Time Machine.
Same principles with back-up via image and this one is free.
You can also use Windows Back-up if you have Windows 7.
Allows very fine grained control (if you want it) of which files are backed up and backs up all the program preferences and so on that Windows spreads around the place.
You can also choose to include an image of drive/s as well.
The back-up is slow with Windows both the first time AND on subsequent writes.
I haven't tried a recover yet but probably works and yeah - it's free to if you have Windows 7.
Personally I prefer Acronis True Image but for novices the other choices might be better and cost effective.
Cheers
Matt Dell
As usual I implore that you exercise extreme care and vigilance to ensure successful ongoing backups and recovery capability.
Thanks Matt.
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