Carbon Copy Cloner and Cloud Solution for Backups?

[neoelectronaut]

I've recently been rethinking my backup solutions beyond Time Machine and I've heard a lot of recommendations for Carbon Copy Cloner so I've been doing some research into it.

As far as I can tell it appears to function just as Time Machine does. Is that how I should be using it or is there an alternative method I should use instead?

In addition, I'd like to go ahead and set up a cloud backup solution. Some folks have recommended BackBlaze, but does anyone have another suggestion they'd like to send my way?

 

[Alrescha]

As far as I can tell it appears to function just as Time Machine does.

As a backup program, CCC is a GUI for rsync, which will keep a backup up to date using incremental updates. An excellent additional feature is that it will also create a bootable clone of your drive, should you find that desirable.

In addition, I'd like to go ahead and set up a cloud backup solution. Some folks have recommended BackBlaze, but does anyone have another suggestion they'd like to send my way?

For versatility and security I recommend you look at ARQ. It will back up to many cloud services, and has the advantage of being able to encrypt your backups before they are sent to the cloud - with an encryption key that only you know.

A.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"As far as I can tell it appears to function just as Time Machine does."

No, it does not.
They are completely different.

CCC will create an EXACT BOOTABLE copy of your internal drive (or any other drive you wish to clone).
You can boot from the clone and run it, just as you would the internal.
You can run apps, get mail, do diagnostics, copy one file, a group of files, or re-clone the entire drive back to the internal.

You can't do these things with Time Machine (other than re-copy files).

Really, the easiest way to understand the differences of CCC (or SuperDuper) and the benefits is just to download it and try it using an available drive.
CCC is FREE to download, and its FREE to use for the first 30 days.

I can't overstate this.
Just try it once, and see for yourself.

 

[Alrescha]

I can't overstate this.

Yes, you can. Your enthusiasm makes you sound like a salesman or a shill.

While Mr. Bombich has created a very nice program it is still just a GUI for rsync which also knows how to bless a drive in order to make it bootable. It is nicely done, but you make it sound like food from the gods.

A.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Your enthusiasm makes you sound like a salesman or a shill."

Heh, wish I was "a salesman" (that implies payment).
I'm not (no finanical interest).
Just another user who finds CCC (also SuperDuper) to be amongst the most useful apps a Mac user can have.

As for being a shill, say whatever you wish.
I'll continue to promote these apps (particularly to new users of the Mac) regardless!

 

[Alrescha]

As for being a shill, say whatever you wish.

I was merely pointing out that your message may be diminished by your method. Speaking only for myself, I find breathless enthusiasm for any product (including Apple's) somewhat off-putting.

While I have purchased CCC for very specific tasks in a work environment, I have no interest in it at home. I do not think it is particularly valuable for most users, especially not as a replacement for Time Machine.

A.

 

[Weaselboy]

I've recently been rethinking my backup solutions beyond Time Machine and I've heard a lot of recommendations for Carbon Copy Cloner so I've been doing some research into it

IMO CCC is more of an adjunct to TM backups and not a good replacement for it. CCC can be configured to keep old versions of files, but it is not as easy to access them as it is with TM.

I think most people here view TM as a backup solution, and CCC as more of cloning tool that can also serve as a backup.

I also use Arq for online backups to Amazon's S3 servers like @Alrescha mentioned.