Beginner mode added to FastBackup

[cshandley]

For those users out there who had a terrible time trying to fathom where to
begin with using FastBackup, I have now added a special Beginner mode. You can
download this new version from:

http://www.freepoc.org/viewapp.php?id=45

This version also adds an experimental Synchronise mode, which is rather like
EpocSync (except that it uses Compact Flash rather than Infrared). There are
also a few other tweaks, including improved organisation of the Help file.


I'd be most interested to see what previously confused users think of the
Beginner mode.
---
Chris Handley

[wanman]

Hi Chris,

I had a play with your new version and have found a bug. When you try an edit either backup or restore settings, (whether in beginner mode or not) on clicking on the Edit Action button the system issues the following message:

Error -97 Wrong number of arguments - Error in FASTBACKUPIGUI

I have restored to the previous version and all is working fine again.

With regards to the beginner mode, I don't think this really helps that much and the fact that it defaults to beginners mode when you install over your previous version, is a bit annoying (I thought I lost my profiles !! lol), It will be interesting to see what other users think. Personally I only use the profile setting as I backup both my C & D drivers to a larger CF card in my E Drive. This works really well and I then backup the larger CF card to my PC....just to be on the safe side.

Can you also confirm what this syncronise function does? I assume it checks both the original and backup files and keeps whichever is the newer of the both? If both are the same then nothing is done?

Keep up the great work Chris

Cheers

Si

[cshandley]

Originally posted by wanman
I had a play with your new version and have found a bug. When you try an edit
<snip>
Error -97 Wrong number of arguments - Error in FASTBACKUPIGUI

Damn! I forgot to include the new proc_Dir module - thanks for the heads-up
(it's taken 4 days before anyone's said anything :( ).

Good news - not only is the corrected one available for download, but the extra
delay means you get to use my rewritten custom file/dir dialog (which should be
easier to use).



With regards to the beginner mode, I don't think this really helps that much and
the fact that it defaults to beginners mode when you install over your previous
version, is a bit annoying (I thought I lost my profiles !! lol),

Sorry about that, but it was necessary.



Can you also confirm what this syncronise function does? I assume it checks
both the original and backup files and keeps whichever is the newer of the both?
If both are the same then nothing is done?

Yep. The process for synchronising two Psions therefore takes two or three runs
of Fastbackup, with swapping the CF card between runs.

Regards,
Chris Handley

[wanman]

Originally posted by cshandley
(it's taken 4 days before anyone's said anything :( ).


Lol, that is even a bit slack for my standards, but then I have been away for the last few days, so only noticed the new release this morning.

Will ensure I am on the ball quicker next time <salutes> ;)

So is the new version available for download now, or should I wait a bit?

Cheers
Si

[wanman]

Scratch that last comment. I note the zip file has been updated with the new release. Thanks Chris.

Am running a backup now and all seems to be working ok. Like the changes you made to the Restore/Backup selections and your app is backing up as quick as ever ;)

31secs for C: Drive
3mins 55s for D: Drive (bloody email folders !! lol)

Cheers Chris

[cshandley]

I really shouldn't do this, but I quietly re-uploaded FastBackup because of a VERY tiny mistake - the Macro mode would overwrite CronTab's screen with text :-(

Well, at least FastBackup is now (I hope) essentially "complete". I really don't see any further improvements are likely (except maybe the distant future), and it is about as beginner friendly as it's ever going to be.

[Lewis]

...FastBackup is now (I hope) essentially "complete". I really don't see any further improvements are likely...

...er, except for this one, Chris! ;)

As you know, I've had a go at an alternative icon for your excellent app... it should be included in MartinG's next pScience5 Colour Icon update but, in the meantime, FastBackup users can download it here (no voting required! ;) ); try it out (install to System\Apps\FastBackup) and decide, for themselves, whether or not they think it's an improvement!

Cheers and thanks again, Chris. :)

Lewis

[Lewis]

To save anyone interested, the bother of downloading and installing the alternative aif file to their Psion, to see if they like it, here's a partial Extras Bar screenshot, illustrating the original icon & my alternative offering... oh, and a couple of other quite handy freeware apps! ;)

L

[E}|{]

Originally posted by cshandley
Well, at least FastBackup is now (I hope) essentially "complete". I really don't see any further improvements are likely (except maybe the distant future), and it is about as beginner friendly as it's ever going to be.

is it possible to make a minimal installation of the FastBackup, which will only be used for backup / restore with two additional macroses (scriptable mode)? i.e. the GUI won't be nessesary then, the "beginner" mode, etc.

btw, is it possible to write such a macro for the restore process? haven't even thought about it yet -- haven't restored anything yet :).

[cshandley]

Originally posted by E}|{
[B]is it possible to make a minimal installation of the FastBackup, which will
only be used for backup / restore with two additional macroses?

I'm not entirely sure I follow you here; you want to automate the restore
process using as few files as possible? I really wouldn't recommend that, and
it would save you VERY little:

You still need the SysRam1.opx , and all the FastBackup files except for the
FastBackup.opo and FastBackup.hlp files.



is it possible to write such a macro for the restore process?

Restoring is no different from backing-up, except for the direction. So yes, a
"macro" using the run_scriptable: procedure can do a restore. The run:("macro")
call won't though.

It'd be a bit strange making a restore script though, since you don't need to do
it very often :-)

[E}|{]

I'm not entirely sure I follow you here; you want to automate the restore
process using as few files as possible?

yes, i only do crontabbed backups or call the same macro with the hotkey. so, i use scriptable mode all the time :). i also never ever did a restore procedure yet :). only after the disassembling my psions (as you see even Ctrl-Y in EPOC Shell in fact would be quite enough for me :)). so why don't then give an opportunity for those like me to use only let's say an engine of FastBackup , which would be called by simple macroses :).

You still need the SysRam1.opx , and all the FastBackup files except for the
FastBackup.opo and FastBackup.hlp files.

i've just supposed that since all the procedures are separated in your program (at least it looks so while analysing System\Apps\FastBackup directory's structure :)), so it won't be difficult to separate such not nessesary (for those like me:)) things (beginner mode, profiles editing, etc... even restore option could be among them:)) from the above-mentioned engine of FastBackup.

am i wrong? :)

[cshandley]

Originally posted by E}|{
i've just supposed that since all the procedures are separated in your program
(at least it looks so while analysing System\Apps\FastBackup directory's
structure :)), so it won't be difficult to separate such not nessesary (for
those like me:)) things (beginner mode, profiles editing, etc... even restore
option could be among them:)) from the above-mentioned engine of FastBackup.


Unfortunately you ARE wrong, for the reason that most of the seperate modules
("programs" as you call them) are actually used by the "backup engine"!

These modules are general-purpose reusable programming which do very little on
their own. They were not written specifically for FastBackup, and stuff like
the Beginner mode & Profiles editing is all built into the GUI (FastBackup.app).


But as it happens, the proc_Dir.opo module is not used by the Backup engine, so
you can remove that too. But that still leaves: Backup.opo, class_SNode.opo,
class_Timer.opo, proc_CLibrary.opo, and proc_TextWin.opo.

[E}|{]

Originally posted by cshandley
Unfortunately you ARE wrong, for the reason that most of the seperate modules ("programs" as you call them)


no, i do not :) (assuming from my post above they could be called procedures, but not programs)

are actually used by the "backup engine"! These modules are general-purpose reusable programming which do very little on
their own. They were not written specifically for FastBackup, and stuff like the Beginner mode & Profiles editing is all built into the GUI (FastBackup.app).

and that's why i started this discussion -- asking you if you are gouing to release so called "light" version.

the question is not the size of the program or used disk space or memory or something like that. just a kind of... perfection? :). that's exactly why i do like moduled structure (or plugins enabled) -- a person keeps only those "parts" of a program (let's say plugins or modules) that are really used. code size is minimized. etc, etc.

something like that :).

But as it happens, the proc_Dir.opo module is not used by the Backup engine, so you can remove that too. But that still leaves: Backup.opo, class_SNode.opo, class_Timer.opo, proc_CLibrary.opo, and proc_TextWin.opo.

thanks, yeah. another question -- since it's possible to use FastBackup with my own GUI, when is it possible to replace the whole FastBackup.app with something similar to the example from the HELP file? probably, simple (stupid? :)) enough question, but i'm just supposing... i didn't even studied the code of that example :) -- sorry (i absolutely have no time to do it :().

and one more question -- is there any kind of history of FastBackup log available?

thank you.

[cshandley]

E}|{,

I still don't quite understand your question about "perfection". But stuff like
Profiles is all part of the GUI program anyway, so that the "Backup engine" only
does backups and nothing else - but it DOES need most of the other modules
(files) to just perform backups.

I won't be putting these separate modules inside the "Backup engine" because
these modules are used by many of my (other) programs, and are regularly
updated. And doing so would not save disk space or memory usage.


thanks, yeah. another question -- since it's possible to use FastBackup with my
own GUI, when is it possible to replace the whole FastBackup.app with something
similar to the example from the HELP file?
You would NOT replace the FastBackup.app file, because it's UID is assigned to
me by Symbian, nor should you really use the FastBackup name. Therefore you
would make your OWN app of a different name, which would use the "Backup engine"
of FastBackup. You could either use the modules from FastBackup's folder, or
make your own copies (wasting disk space).

If you simply copy the OPL file "FastBackup", rename it to "E}|{FastBackup" (or
whatever!), open this file, change my UID (part of APP...ENDAPP at the top) to
your own UID, and then tap Translate - pow! You have your own GUI, except it is
identical to mine!


and one more question -- is there any kind of history of FastBackup log
available?
What, like the one at the end of the Help file?

[E}|{]

cshandley, you are talking about the things i have never started to :(.

I won't be putting these separate modules inside the "Backup engine" because these modules are used by many of my (other) programs, and are regularly
updated.

the point was not to put existing modules into one main program, but to separate program even more -- into a number of another modules (which could be beginner mode, GUI, profile editing procedure, etc, etc).

but it's ok, just nevermind; futher discussion is pointless anyway :(.

[cshandley]

So, any chance of getting back on topic? ;) Anyone have any comments on the Beginner mode, or any of the other changes in the new release of FastBackup?

[E}|{]

Originally posted by cshandley
...any of the other changes in the new release of FastBackup?

:) improve skip-mode? :)