Backing up a folder to USB

[ScottR]

I already have my MacBook backing up to a NAS via Time Machine, but I want a sort of belt-and-suspenders option, too. Specifically, I have a small (140 MB) folder with important documents that are periodically modified (i.e., worked on) that I would like to have backed up to a second volume, in this case a 16 GB flash drive.

I'm looking for an app that will first back up the folder, then back up those incremental changes--i.e., like Time Machine, not replacing the old versions, just adding on new ones. It would help if the app did so automatically whenever the volume is mounted (that is, when the flash drive plugged in), then unmounting the flash drive. Version management, of course, would be very helpful.

It looks that SuperDuper (which I've used for more generic backups) can't do this, as it only backs up the whole volume, or the User files.

 

[bingeciren]

Try CCC. You can select a specific folder and choose the Archive option for backup.

Then schedule this task and pick the option to do the backup when the backup disk becomes available. That way it will back up just that specific folder the the external drive as soon as you plug it in.

Your archive copies will be stored on the _CCC Archives folder.

I think this is exactly what you want.

 

[Gregg2]

Another option is an online storage service. I use IDrive. My usage is low enough to not incur a cost for it.

 

[netslacker]

Why not use a free Dropbox account? It'll automatically sync up to 2gb to the cloud and has the added benefit of accessing the files from nearly anywhere.

 

[mpantone]

I use Dropbox like netslacker suggests. I just use it for two Quicken files.

I often backup my Quicken files to a folder on my hard drive, but it's really a symlink to a folder under Dropbox. Thus, Dropbox has a copy of these Quicken backups. Quicken has the ability to timestamp archives, but I don't bother with it.

Dropbox archives these files for a couple of weeks (with the basic free account), so if I need an older version, I can just fire up their web interface and download the older version of the file. Apparently the Pro version of their service provides access to much older files, so clearly they are storing everything that has been uploaded to their service.

Dropbox does incremental syncing, so it'll only sync files that have been changed since the last sync.

I rely on iCloud for a small number of relevant Apple related files (calendar, contacts, bookmarks, etc.) and do periodic Time Machine backups for complete archives.

 

[ScottR]

I have Dropbox to share an occasional item with others, but my own preference is not to use the cloud to back up my personal files.