Must I Mark/Unmark Each Time?

[hafner]

I am using RE 5.0.238 on a Mac G4 with OS 9.0.2 I am new to RE, but I had years of good experience with Dantz DiskFit Direct.

 

When I first set up a backup Zip disk, I used the Preview to specify the specific documents I did and did not want backed up. Ever since, when doing a progressive backup, RE starts to backup every document on my hard drive -- not just the ones that I previously specified.

 

I know that in the Preview browser window, I can Mark/Unmark folders and files. When I open that, I see all the files I have, including those I do NOT want to backup listed as Marked. Do I really have to go through all these files each time and Mark/Unmark the ones I want backed up in a progressive backup? I thought RE was supposed to remember.

 

I've reviewed early postings on the Forum here, and have seen some comments about previous threads on related issues, but nothing that seems to answer this specific question.

[AmyJ]

When using the Immediate Backup > Files Chosen window, Retrospect will always generate a new live picture of the source. For this reason, file selection criteria is not retained. In the Professional version and higher, you have the ability to create/save a selector which will remember your choices.

 

With the Express Edition, you can create subvolumes (folders you designate as an independent volumes for use within Retrospect) to backup individual folders rather then the entire drive. This method will not work for individual files - only folders.

 

While in the Volume selection window, highlight your drive and click the Subvolume button. You'll see a window with all the folders on the root level of your drive. Highlight the first folder you'd like to backup and click the Define button. The individual folder will now be available as a potential backup source. Repeat this proceedure for each individual folder you'd like to backup.

 

We are definitely sensitive to people's needs for a full-featured backup product. Retrospect Express, we believe, provides this while omitting the "whistles and bells" that, while invaluable to many, are too much for the average single user. Fully customizable selectors (which allow for specific file backup, among other things) are only a feature of the full version of Retrospect (Desktop and higher), and are not likely to be added to Retrospect Express in the future.

[hafner]

Wonderful -- Subvolumes does the trick! I knew there must be a way, because I found it hard to believe Retrospect Express would be less capable than Dantz's earlier Diskfit Direct.

 

I do have this advice, however. I'm a reasonably savvy guy on these matters, yet I would not have been able to figure out the use and usefulness of the Subvolume feature of RE on the basis of the Easy Guide manual that came with the program. I went back an re-read it even after getting your advice here in the Forum, and I still found it opaque. Dantz really ought to improve that aspect of the manual. This is a very helpful feature -- why bury it in the back pages of the manual?