FastBackup "Bullet Proof" released!

[cshandley]

The fourth release of FastBackup can now be downloaded:
http://www.freepoc.org/viewapp.php?id=45

If FastBackup previously failed to work on your Psion, please try this release.

It's code-named "Bullet Proof" because it now appears to have reached a reasonable level of robustness, although I of course don't rule out some tiny bug somewhere.

It is HIGHLY recommended that existing users upgrade, because it fixes a number of serious issues, including that it would not work after a hard reset, that the settings would be lost after a hard reset, and that you can not change from a non-existant disk in Beginner mode.

It also adds error reporting to the macro, improves closing & reopening of apps, resizes the Contents dialog better, reliably recognises key presses during backing-up, and offers to restart the System shell after a Restore (to ensure the restored settings are used).

[PlutoPants]

Thanks Chris,
All credit to you for making the modifications - even when you promised and assured us you were almost definitely not going to do any more to it. Never say never...;-)
Mind you, as you say on the freepoc site: "This fourth release (7 months after it's original release) is significant because it is now believed to be highly stable, reliable & mature. Hence it's code-name "Bullet Proof"!"
(How many of US are highly stable, reliable & mature?)

Seriously though, for me FB has never been anything else on its own. It has done what it says.
Thanks
George
:)

[Lewis]

I've had the pleasure/privilege of getting a preview of this version of FastBackup and it really is looking very slick and robust. :) ...and if there's one app where function, reliability & stability are much more important than flashy graphics & whizzy features, it's a BackUp program! In fact, if they hinder quick & efficient uptake and frequent & regular use of the app, such bells & whistles (or fripperies, depending on your viewpoint!) can be a positive liability.

I, for one, am now backing up my netBook much, much more rigorously than I used to (to my severe cost, on more than one occasion!); having installed and been using it for barely a couple of months, I am a relatively late convert to FB, but I certainly appreciate its worth, now. If PsiWin and desktop backing up works for you, then fine; but, an onboard Compact Flash backup facility really provides the potential for full security against data-loss for your Psion, especially while away from your PC or travelling.

A bit like conventional insurance, you could say a backup utility is, strictly, entirely unproductive. However, if the worst ever happens (and, even with our fabulously stable Psions/Epoc OS it can & does!) it could, effectively, resurrect all the 'work' you ever did! Given it now takes minimal effort to setup & familiarise with FastBackup and even less effort to use - and costs nothing! - please take heed of a word of hard learnt wisdom from a 'converted & repentant sinner': Install FastBackup and then Use it Regularly & Frequently - you'd be a fool not to! :) ...it'll be the best thirty odd quid you never spent on your Psion! :D

I think it's worth bearing in mind that it's much harder (unpaid) work writing apps for public release, rather than for one's own private use; and, apart from providing ongoing support, at times authors have to indulge user's clamourings for features not personally needed, occasionally suffer the burden of pedants & fools, as well as bearing the blatherings of Beta testers(!) with equanimity...

So, I'd just like to extend my thanks to Chris for producing this app, in particular (amongst his prodigious wider Epoc output!), and so providing a much needed 'safety net' for a lot of otherwise potentially ill-kept, critical personal data. Our Psions travel more safely thanks to you, Chris! :)

Lewis

[donkeyontheedge]

Hear hear! A truly indispensable app - don't leave home without it! :D

John

[wanman]

I completely agree. I have been a fan of this application since it was first released and no longer use Psiwin for any backups now, I just have a seperate CF Card E:Drive which I fastbackup to daily and then backup the CF Card to my PC monthly, using a CF Card reader.

Cheers Chris and thanks for all you hard work on this one !!

Regards

Si

Edited by netBookBabe to remove confusing smiley which I know Si did not intend. (They have a habit of sneaking in when you're not looking Si!)

[PlutoPants]

Simon's last point about not needing PsiWin for backups any more is very significant. I can't use PsiWin because I'm Mac based now, but I also do not miss it.
FastBackup takes care of the backup side of things so much more easily. As ever, one needs to RTFM to get the best out of it, but the beginner's mode does try (and succeeds) to make initiation as painless as possible.
FB merits a 5 cow/star/fox/psion/sheep rating. It is A list - and not just because it is free.
Freepoc's paypal donation button seems to have still be 'disappeared' as I write. I would gladly pay a shareware fee to the author for such a useful piece of software, or a token donation to freepoc.
Chris, have you considered a 'lite' version for Freepoc and a 'gold' version as a shareware - or is this a route you are not wishing to go down?
G:)

[Lewis]

'FB merits a 5 cow/star/fox/psion/sheep rating'
...are we talking about the same app?... FarmyardBeasts, perhaps? :D

But, hey, George, I absolutely agree and, personally, I'd give FastBackup a 5 PG rating! ('Perfect Girlfriend') ;)

...and as for your perfectly reasonable 'semi-skimmed'/'full-cream' idea, I'm sure Chris will speak up for himself, if he wants; but, his carefully articulated discussion of his freeware philosophy in FB's Help file is very interesting - if you can accept his dismissal of any great altruistic motivation, grateful FB users are simply left with the 'responsibility' to relieve the author of some of the development burden, by sending bug reports & giving constructive, general feedback and, where able, by enhancing/adding features to the source code, themselves, and sharing these with the author. Instead of Shareware, call it 'SymbioticSoftware', I suppose... :)

Clearly, however, a donation to FreEpoc would seem to be highly appropriate...

Thanks again, Chris :)

[cshandley]

Everyone, and esp. Lewis :)

Thanks for the praise, although you'll have me blushing bright red! Since I'd probably just be annoyingly modest, I'll avoid saying any more :-)

Interesting idea for a freeware-Lite/shareware-Gold edition, but that's not what I want to do for a number of reasons (as Lewis hinted). One *possible* idea (from what I read another open source guy was doing), is to carry on like I am now, but to also accept payment for implementing specific (and likely non-trivial) features that someone is very interested in. I'm not sure whether I'd like doing that or not, but it is an idea anyway.

If or until I try doing that, I think the nicest "payment" (as Lewis says) would be a bug report, or even some improvements to the FB's code. I think authors get feature requests all the time, but very rarely do they get bug reports! I'm just crossing my fingers that the very few bug reports for the previous version of FB means that I haven't missed any bugs in this version (unlikely, but hopefully close to the truth).

Also, any ideas on how it might be made even more beginner-proof ("idiot-proof" isn't really the right word), short of replacing the main dialog window, would be nice.

Thanks again.

Regards,
Chris Handley

[cshandley]

I've been rather naughty, and re-uploaded the FastBackup.zip (with the same date!) . The only difference is that the ChangeIcon dialog now mentions you can change back to the old icon (this was supposed to there already, but somehow it got lost & wasn't noticed).

For anyone who's already downloaded FB, there is *no* need to re-download it. But if you really want ChangeIcon to be the same, I have attached it.

[PlutoPants]

Lewis...
'FB merits a 5 cow/star/fox/psion/sheep rating'

Er.. you know it does look suspicious doesn't it? Obviously you feel on safer ground with your ideal Psion Accessory.;-)

Next you'll be suggesting a Pirelli-type Psioneer calendar with psions strategically covering important parts. No wonder the Sienna never made it!

G;)

[Lewis]

Originally posted by cshandley
...but somehow it got lost & wasn't noticed......erm, yes it was! ;) :)

...and, hey, George, no I'd never have thought of that!... but niiice idea! I've just had a word with 'PG' and she's up for it, so long as she only has to pose with her Series7 and none of your farmyard animals! :D

L

[wanman]

Hi Chris,

Just a quick note to confirm I have found a small bug in the latest release of FastBackup.

The problem is on the verbose output. I normally run a profile backup with two items - e.g.

1) c: to E:\backup\C
2) d: to E:\backup\D

When this runs with verbose, the output displays all the changes made on the first profile (i.e. updates, deletions etc) but when the second profile is started only the finished time is displayed and not the changes.

I think we had this problem on a earlier release, so it could be that this fix just needs copying accross?

Cheers
Simon

[ohsix]

Simon: I see you know how to backup your D drdive to your E drive. Using the 'idiot's' mode I was finally able to have FlashBackup backup my C drive to my E drive.

Would you be able to give me explicit instructions on how to backup my D to the E?

I don't want to clog up the thread. You can contact me privately via my profile (unless you think your instructions would be of help to other).

Speaking of 'profiles', I gather to do what I want, one has to do something or other with profiles and I don't know anything about them.

Keith

[wanman]

Hi Ohsix,

All the info you need is in the help menu, but I will run through what I did. You may find a better way, but this is step by step and will get you a profile backup.

Setup:
1) Insert backup CF card into the PCMCIA slot (E: Drive)
2) Create a folder called Backup and then two sub folders within this called "C" and "D"
3) Launch FastBackup (doesn't matter whether it is installed on C or D drive).
4) Click on the Options button and change settings to the following: Beginner Mode - Unticked, Check Flags - Ticked, Slow Rename - Unticked, Max Seconds - 10, Verbose - Ticked (personal preference)
5) Click OK and that is your basic setup.

Single Backup Settings (If not already set up):
1) Set Action to Restore and click on Edit Action
2) A pop up window will appear. Set Disk to "C" and ensure folder only has ":" next to it. If there is anything else next to Folder, select "(Parent Folder)" in the Go Inside field and click ok. Continue this until Folder field below is blank (apart from ":")
3) Click OK to return to Fastbackup.
4) Restore (to) should now display "C:\"
5) Set Action to Backup and click on Edit Action
6) A pop up window will appear. Set Disk to "E" and click OK. Select the drop down list on the Go Inside field and select "Backup". Click OK and Folder will now display :\Backup. Select the drop down list on the Go Inside field and select "C". Click OK and Folder will now display :\Backup\C. Click OK a final time to close the popup.
7) Backup (to) should now display "E:\Backup\C"
8) This is your first profile created !!!

Set Up Second Profile:
1) With the above complete set the Action button to "Profiles" and click on the Edit Action button.
2) A popup window will appear with your current profile displayed. Call up the drop down list and ensure it is the only entry.
3) Click on the Add button and the profile number will change to 2 and the profile will change to C:\ to E:\BackupOfC\
4) Click on use button. A warning message will be displayed confirming that folder BackupOfC does not exist, do you want to create it. Click NO
5) You will be returned to the normal Fastbackup screen.
6) Set Action to Restore and click on Edit Action
7) Change Disk to D and click on OK Twice to return to the main Fastbackup screen. You will get another warning about that folder so click NO again.
8) Set Action to Backup and click on Edit Action
9) On the popup the disk should already read "E". Click on the Go Inside field and select "Backup" and click on OK. Folder will be updated to read ":\Backup". Select the Go Inside field again and find “D”. Click OK and the folder field will be updated to “:\Backup\D”.
10) Click ok again and you will be returned to the Fastbackup screen. The restore (to) will be displayed as “D:\” and the Backup (to) will be displayed as “E:\Backup\D\”
11) This is your second profile now set up.
12) If you set the Action to Profiles and click on the edit Action button you can view both profiles. Select your first profile (C:\ to E:\Backup\C\) and click on Use.
13) You are returned to the FastBackup screen and that profile is displayed.

Running Single/Multiple Profiles
1) Before backing up your Psion, you need to close all applications. Fastbackup will close all normal applications (Any application that appears in the Open Files/Programs list), but there are one or two you will need to close manually. If you have Alarm+ installed, you need to set it to disabled. If you have Atomic Time installed then uncheck the Sync on connection Option.
2) Launch Fastbackup and your first profile will be displayed.
3) You can now run this profile on it’s own by setting the Action to Backup and the clicking on the Go. Fastbackup will now backup up C Drive to your backup folder.
4) Swap to your other profile by setting the Actions to Profiles and then edit actions. Locate your second profile and then click Use. Now set action to Backup and click Go to backup just your D Drive.
5) There is an easy way to run both, without having to do the above. Once Fastbackup is loaded, set action to Profile and click Go. A popup will appear confirming “Do you really want to backup using all 2 profiles?” Select Yes and both C & D drive will now be backed up !!

Hope the above helps but let me know if you need any other info.

Cheers
Si

[ohsix]

Many thanks, Si. Looks very explicit. I haven't tried it because I need to cycle about looking for a 526 CF card in order to backup both drives. Your instructions will be going into my 'Tips' file.

I do have Alarm+ and have been using CronTab to run FB nightly. I've never disabled Alarm+ and FB 'seems' to run OK. Each morning when I start the Mbook there's a window that tells me FB has successfully run. From what you say, I guess I'm not backing up Alarm+. For my purposes that may not be a big deal. I guess I won't know until something happens and I have to do a restore - maybe never. :)

I gather I can't use CronTab but will have to run FB manually in order to get both drives - is that right?

Once I get a new card and give things a whirl, I'll report back.

Keith

[cshandley]

Simon,

Could you please confirm that your second profile (for backing-up the D disk) *also* has Verbose ticked in IT'S options?

Now that options are in a separate dialog, it probably isn't so intuitive that profiles also store different Options.
---
Chris Handley

Originally posted by wanman
When this runs with verbose, the output displays all the changes made on the first profile (i.e. updates, deletions etc) but when the second profile is started only the finished time is displayed and not the changes.

[wanman]

Aaaaaaaaah that will be it. Cheers Chris.

Hi ohsix,

Glad to be of help. Yeah I disable both Alarm+ & Atomic Clock as I was having minor problems and some files where being ignored. Luckily FB is clever enough to just bypass any files it struggles with, which is why yours probably completes.

Cheers

Si

[cshandley]

Hi Ohsix,

Lewis reported a real bug to me, which may cause you problems - the "New folder" button does NOT work if Beginner mode is UNticked. Therefore I recommend you create the new folders from the System screen (using Ctrl N).

Hi Simon,

Thanks to your question to me, I realise it isn't so obvious about Options being part of a profile, so that the next version of FastBackup will make this fact quite clear. Thanks!

Everyone,

For the record so far, there is only one real bug discovered after "Bullet Proof" was released, and it is a tiny one (New folder button does not work). Additionally, I already have a few small improvements that will appear in the next FB release - but that is probably some month(s) in the future.

Regards,
Chris Handley

[ohsix]

George: Got my 512MB CF card, followed your directions, (didn't close Alarm+), and FB (using Profile to run both profiles) ran manually just fine. I did not check 'verbose'. Not sure just what I'd use that for.

I don't see how CronTab can run it so will continue to do it manually.

Chris: I did create the C and D folders on the system screen.

Keith

[cshandley]

Keith,

When FB was installed, it put a file called FastBackupMacro.opo in the FastBackup folder on the C disk. You can move it where you like, but must set CronTab to run this file. While theoretically it should be set as type "Macro", this will probably give an error message. So you need to set it to "App/Doc" - but requires my special fix for it to work if your Psion is switched off (see FB manual for the link to this fix).

[ohsix]

Chris::

Before setting up profiles to backup both C and D, I was using that .opo file with CronTab (fixed) and running it as a Macro with no problem.

Everytime I write about a 'fixed' CronTab I always think that it's been to the vets. :)

Keith

[E}|{]

program still grows (compare first one and last one), but is still used in some cases for the simplest backup. so why not to release "light" version, which would be free of such a million different unused / unwanted options?

well, anyway, it's still possible to improve it further, i sure... the way MS Windows grows.

good luck!

[cshandley]

program still grows (compare first one and last one)

so why not to release "light" version, which would be free of such a million different unused / unwanted options?
I can promise you that removing these options would have virtually NO affect on the size of FastBackup. The increase in size is due to bug fixes, and also due to improving functionality that is used all the time. Oh, and adding screenshots to the Help file for new users. You can of course delete the large Help file!

Of course, you could optimise the general-purpose modules used by FastBackup, by removing all the procedures that are not used (especially in proc_CLibrary). This would save you some disk space, if it is REALLY that precious to you... But it is not worth my bother to optimise these general-purpose modules for each FB release, especially as Compact Flash space is so cheap now (and I have a 1024Mb Microdrive anyway, storing all the Streetplanner maps, loads of MP3s, and still tons for other stuff).

Regards,
Chris Handley

[PlutoPants]

Hi Chris,
Dare I say (touch wood) the synchronise feature has worked for me each and every time, replacing the older file with the newer file whether it be on CF or on the C Drive.
I have tried to catch it out, but, only when my 2 Psions are incredibly out of time synch (set deliberately to be, say two minutes or more apart) has this happened. Obviously the comparison of file dates is working fine, as long as the time is more or less the same on both machines.
I use AtomicTime on the Netbook, but the 5MX needs to be manual. I guess I could use EpocSync to time synch both the machines over IR but, to be honest, I get a bit fed up with turning them back to back and angling them so they see eachother and I don't carry a makeup mirror [all the time]).
If I am good with my time setting on my 2 Psions, and don't go out of my way to change files on both machines within really close succession (in other words am sensible) then I think the syching feature will work well for me.
I have gone back to storing my Agenda & Contacts, PhoneMan and Company database (my most commonly accessed) files on C, (everything else I create is on C on the Netbook but on D on the 5MX) then synching them with the CF card and thenswapping cards with the other machine and synching them again. The 2 CF cards are 48MB+ and have plenty of space.
I usually either take the Netbook OR the 5MX out on the road - never both, so the one left at home is the 'last backup'. Which I take depends upon what I'm doing of course.
I hope this feedback is useful to you.

Incidentally, I like the verbose box ticked, as I can then have a good nosey at what files are updated each time - useful in this testing phase whilst I've been mucking about with file versions.

Fastbackup never takes more than a minute to do its stuff for me.

The bugs being reported are not nuisances to me. I've ditched CronTab (as I think I've said before) due to wanting to take some rresponsibility myself for backups. Too automatic for me is not a good idea as I then just forget how to do it...

Nice one, Chris.

George

[Lewis]

Originally posted by PlutoPants
...I don't carry a makeup mirror [all the time]......er, judging by your new avatar, George, I'd already guessed as much! :D

L ;)

[cshandley]

Hi George,

I was interested to read of some reasons someone might want to use FB for syncing, instead of EpocSync, other than the crazed idiots like me who use the Psion Emulator as a real Psion!

Also interesting to see an alternative approach to syncing, which only requires swapping CF card(s) once.

Yup, syncing is also a good way of automatically having a backup.

Thanks!
---
Chris Handley

[ohsix]

PlutoPants wrote:

"Fastbackup never takes more than a minute to do its stuff for me."

Now that you got me going with profiles, George, I find FB takes about 40 sec for my Mbook C drive and about 3 min 30 sec for the D drive.

Keith

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by PlutoPants
... I don't carry a makeup mirror [all the time]) Neither do I, as it happens! ;)

Actually, it's worth noting that it doesn't *have* to be a mirror to bounce the IR signal, it can work perfectly well with almost any vertical smooth surface. Painted office wall, leather briefcase, cornflake packet - they all work for me, try it!

Julie

[Lewis]

Originally posted by netBookBabe
Neither do I, as it happens! ;)
Actually... it can work perfectly well with... leather briefcase, cornflake packet - they all work for me, try it!
...yeah, but Julie, your lipstick looks like it was applied using Psion Sketch & the coarse 'spray' tool!

L ;)

ps At least you can take comfort in the fact that you were, if not my inspiration, then certainly the motivation behind Palette for Sketch - that Psion Magenta 'lippy' really wasn't you, daahling!

[PlutoPants]

Well, psizzle my psion!
NBB, you've told me something I'm sure others don't know either (otherwise I'll be very disappointed I was the only one in Psionland who didn't know).
It b@£$%dy works. I never, ever realised you could do that. I just sat the machines side by side on a table by my bed, with their backs about 20cm from my bedroom wall and was able to send files back & forth.
I have been pointing the TV remote at the wall behind my bed and changng the channel on the TV for years and it never occured to me the IR on the Psions would do that.
All this time I have moaned about IR ports being at the back of laptops and the Psions.
What a wasted life! I'm reborn etc etc...
gracias Julie!
George:D :D

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by Lewis
...yeah, but Julie, your lipstick looks like it was applied using Psion Sketch & the coarse 'spray' tool! :eek:

Well Lewis, all I can say is you should thank your lucky stars this is not the eBay forum! If so, you would surely have earned yourself what is known there as a "Pinkie Slap" - and I can tell you, they don't 'alf sting!! :p

J

(Translation: "Pinkie Slap" = "Reprimand from moderator for inappropriate posting")

[Lewis]

Originally posted by netBookBabe
...have earned yourself what is known there as a "Pinkie Slap" - and I can tell you, they don't 'alf sting!!:pYikes!... Oh, well, while I'm stood outside the HeadModerator's office, with a copy of the Beano stuffed down the back of my trousers, I might as well be 'hung for a sheep as a lamb' - see my 'ps', above; only prompted, after all, by the colour of your helpful, if lurid, translation!

Oh, but as for doing my make-up or synching, I don't use a Cornflake packet any more... if I'm good my 'PG' lets me use her nice, big dressing table mirror! :D

[cshandley]

George,

So, are you using EpocSync now, instead?

[ohsix]

I've been playing around with trying to use a macro to automate having FastBackup run my 2 profiles (drives C and D).

PROC Macro:
FgApp%:("D:\system\Apps\FastBackup\FastBackup.app")
SendKey:("Down,P,Enter,Y")
ENDP

So far I've been able to set a Macro5 hotkey to run it sucessfully.

But when I set CronTab run it, it fails. FastBackup opens and sits there. When I go to CronTab, there's a message: Error in MACRO5/FGMACRO does not exist.

Am I doomed to not being able to automate the running of FastBackup with my 2 profiles?

One other question. When I use "verbose" there are a lot of entries and they run off the top of the page. Is there a way to have a scroll bar so that all lines can be seen when the backup is finished?

Keith

[cshandley]

Originally posted by ohsix
So far I've been able to set a Macro5 hotkey to run it sucessfully.

But when I set CronTab run it, it fails. FastBackup opens and sits there. When I go to CronTab, there's a message: Error in MACRO5/FGMACRO does not exist.
In CronTab you have set the type to "App/Doc", but it needs to be type "Macro" for your macro to work!


One other question. When I use "verbose" there are a lot of entries and they run off the top of the page. Is there a way to have a scroll bar so that all lines can be seen when the backup is finished?
No. This is on the "wish list", but if I do it, it likely won't be for some time. I can only suggest using the "P" key to pause the display.

[Mobilix]

Hi George!

A glass of beer works perfect too on Psion user meetings for mirroring the Ir beams!

Ciao
Mobilix

[ohsix]

In CronTab you have set the type to "App/Doc", but it needs to be type "Macro" for your macro to work!

I did have the type set to "Macro".

BTW, I do have the CronTab fix installed.

Re: verbose. Ah! I hadn't thought of that.

Anyone else have any ideas on what might be wrong with the CronTab approach?

Keith

[cshandley]

Keith,

I'm really stupid; the error indicates that your path "D:\system\Apps\FastBackup\FastBackup.app" is wrong. Although I'm damned if I can guess why (unless FB isn't installed on the D disk!).

BTW, I would put a PAUSE before the SendKey command, of say at least 20 (= 1 sec).

[ohsix]

Chris: Why is it wrong when it works with a Macro5 hotkey? FB is installed on the D drive. Why do you think I need I need a PAUSE? - as I said above, it works as is with a Macro5 hotkey. I'm not trying to be obstreperous, I'm just curious.

Take your time in answering because I'm leaving for a long week-end at the Great Western Bicycle Rally. :cool:

Keith