Super Duper and incremental backups

OK, assuming you have the paid/registered version of SuperDuper, there are probably ways to do what you want with some scripting but-- I would like to suggest that using Carbon Copy Cloner (freeware/donationware) would make this a far simpler and much more straightforward process.

If you start up CCC, when you select your "source" drive for the clone, a complete list of all the files/folder on the source immediately appears in the left hand window- each item independently selectable/de-selectable.

SO- If you de-select all the items in the list except for your home folder, only it will be backed up to your destinatiion drive (assuming you did not change the name or anything after it was dragged). Setting the options as in the top right of the attached pic will just update any files in the home folder backup that have changed or are new since the last time it was backed up- resulting in a literal "clone" of the home folder on your boot drive.

However that being said, since there are potential permissions issues with a folder that was originally just dragged over, I would suggest that a cleaner way to do it would be to delete the home folder off your backup and then copy it using the same options settings as below in Carbon Copy Cloner. That will create a fresh, clean, complete copy of the home folder with correct permissions on the backup drive instead of trying to update an existing one. You can then run this same setup in CCC later to then update the home folder backup periodically to keep your backup up to date.

 

I think one of the default options will allow you to do a similar thing for the Users folder.

 

What do you think is better for creating a bootable backup and continue to update it over time? Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper. I almost bought a license but I wanna see a free alternative..

 

Both will create a bootable backup that can be updated over time. I started with Carbon Copy Cloner, but then decided to purchase a SuperDuper! license, because I find SuperDuper! to be less CPU-intensive. It may be a perception bias on my part, but I'm happy with SuperDuper! for now.

They are both almost identical except for the interface.

 

I started with CCC - and had problems on 2 different machines, using difference hard-drives - spent at lot of time trying others and researching.

Concluded that SuperDuper was the better product - it works like a dream (for me at least).

Also installed it on my Fathers Macbook to clone to external drive - even he can back-up his machine with a couple of clicks, to create a bootable clone of his internal drive.

 

Another vote for SuperDuper.

 

Since you've already paid for it, might as well, right?

 

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