Fab's AutoBackup 7 Pro - a must have tool for techs

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I am against default backup profiles. In the first place, in terms of cost/benefit, you are talking about saving what, 30 seconds to a minute on the setup before you kick off the backup? This is not enough of a benefit to justify the costs. ...and the cost (in addition to Fab's not-trivial development/testing/beta time) is that you are giving yourself and your employees a reason NOT to look carefully at the process, which means the incidence of missing something will increase. It's not that hard (IMO) to look for folders in the wrong places since there aren't that many places they can be. Plus the act of looking could well uncover another problem you didn't see at first. If every computer were the same, I'd be in favor of this addition. But that's not the case -- every computer is different. Every user is different. Every software load is different. Spend that extra minute and uncheck the boxes.

My 2 shillings anyway.

How is this any different than any other automated software with profiles like D7II, UVK, etc.? Techs need to take responsibility for their actions. Just because some people The point of all of these different software titles is automation and repeat-ability. If you save a minute or two per machine, in a busy shop that could add up over the course of a year. If @fabs is concerned about liability then put in a disclaimer, but in reality we trust his program with our customer data already, so what's the difference? Put the responsibility on the techs to do their job.

How about make the profiles option, optional. Like you have to turn it on in the .ini file and by default when you enable it, it backs up everything just like how the program works now if you just run it.

 

[fincoder]

I am against default backup profiles.

There doesn't have to be a default settings profiles, we just want the ability to select a profile name that we have previously saved. If Fabs makes it so there is no profile selected by default ever, then this doesn't affect anyone that unthinkingly press next.

Incidentally, it already remembers other settings such as Overwrite on the last page without needing to select it again. This is more potentially dangerous than the ability to select settings profiles.

It's not that hard (IMO) to look for folders in the wrong places since there aren't that many places they can be.

So this is a different feature request, nothing to do with Fabs settings profiles.

Personally I don't look in the user profile folder every time I run a backup because it's too much trouble, and now this has been discussed I realise now that I could be missing files/folders that users manually place in that folder. I have come across people who do this.

There is already a new profile folder in Windows 10 that Fabs is currently ignoring (3D Objects) and nobody has requested it be added to Fabs yet. This is the default save location for the Paint 3D app included in every Windows 10 install. Should we manually look in there every time with run a backup? That's drilling down 3 levels below C:\.

The requested new feature of backing up 'other user profile files/folders' would automatically back up 3D Objects and any other new folder that Microsoft potentially adds every 6 months, along with files and folders incorrectly placed by users.

I understand that we don't want to wish more development work on Fabs, but these two features would be incredibly useful (especially the second one about other profile folders). Also, there's no hurry for these features since we've lived without them so far, I wouldn't mind if Fabs decided to release these later to ensure we pay the next annual fee!

 

[fincoder]

How about make the profiles option, optional

Yes it doesn't have to remember any profile name by default. If we want to use the feature we should need to select the profile name every time to prevent unknowingly running with a profile.

There's no need to 'activate' the feature by manually editing the ini file, that's just awful, we will already need to activate the feature first by saving a profile, then secondly by selecting that profile name every time we want to use it.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

There's no need to 'activate' the feature by manually editing the ini file, that's just awful, we will already need to activate the feature first by saving a profile, then secondly by selecting that profile name every time we want to use it.

This was meant to enable the feature as a whole. Personally I would prefer "my default" profile that I setup did load automatically. Just like with D7II when I used it and with UVK now. Those tools can cause damage if used incorrectly, just like with most of the "fixes" we do, yet we seem to be able to handle those tasks on a day to day basis. I don't understand the mindset of "I'm responsible enough to back up this customer's data, but don't possess the ability to verify the selected settings" If that's the case, you shouldn't be allowed anywhere near customer data.

I mean take a look at how we did backups before Fab's. It was done manually, which gave a much greater chance of human error, yet we still did it every day.

 

[fincoder]

I don't understand the mindset of "I'm responsible enough to back up this customer's data, but don't possess the ability to verify the selected settings" If that's the case, you shouldn't be allowed anywhere near customer data.

I totally agree.

My suggestion that the settings profile should be selected each time is merely to appease the people (including Fabs) that are concerned. It still makes it VERY easy for those that wish to use it, simply selecting a profile name from a drop-down list, much easier than what we're doing now.

 

[fabs]

Here is my proposal:
- The program will look at C drive's root for unusual folders and select them if there are some. There could be some unwanted folders but that's another concern that will be treated later. Same thing for unusual folders in the user profile's root. The feature is under development.
- There WILL be a feature for default backup/transfer profiles. This one has not been started yet due to the amount of work required (there are instructions to put almost everywhere in the program, at least one per supported item, so, you can easily imagine the programming nightmare behind this). They will be selected using a dropdown menu (I still do not know where I will put it but that's my problem, not yours). And, like I was supposing, some of you would want to have it selected automatically. For this, there will be an additional "use this profile by default" check box that will show a warning about potential data left behind. This way, I AM totally covered if the tech misses something because of that default profile. In fact, everything will be unselected by default, except the items specified in the profile. It means that if a new supported item is added to Fab's AutoBackup, it will stay unchecked for whoever is using a backup/transfer preset until they manually add it.


I hope that statement will satisfy everyone an stop this polemic.


Edit: by the way, I have been asked about putting back the command line restore feature but supporting only one single user profile restore at a time since it is too complicated doing so with several profiles. That should be doable too. The "to do" list is huge now . For sure, I truly deserve what I charge LOL

 

[GTP]

Not sure I'm liking where Fab's Autobackup is going..
Starting to get too complicated now and moving away from the simple ease of use program it used to be.
By selecting "unusual folders" now means we have to deselect instead of select.
I would much rather spend 3~5 minutes browsing through the installation for stuff that needs to be backed up.
Had a client today that had stored phone pics in the C:\Windows\Temp folder. Will fab's check this folder in future?
I think I'll be sticking with older versions from here on...My .02

 

[fabs]

Not sure I'm liking where Fab's Autobackup is going..
Starting to get too complicated now and moving away from the simple ease of use program it used to be.
By selecting "unusual folders" now means we have to deselect instead of select.
I would much rather spend 3~5 minutes browsing through the installation for stuff that needs to be backed up.
Had a client today that had stored phone pics in the C:\Windows\Temp folder. Will fab's check this folder in future?
I think I'll be sticking with older versions from here on...My .02

I understand what you mean. The whole "unusual folders" items will have its own check box (one for the user profile, the other in the "public" tab) and checking it or not will be remembered like for the additional folders item.

This way, if you choose to uncheck both, it will still work as before the change

Not that easy to please everyone

 

[River Valley Computer]

Not sure I'm liking where Fab's Autobackup is going..
Starting to get too complicated now and moving away from the simple ease of use program it used to be.
By selecting "unusual folders" now means we have to deselect instead of select.
I would much rather spend 3~5 minutes browsing through the installation for stuff that needs to be backed up.
Had a client today that had stored phone pics in the C:\Windows\Temp folder. Will fab's check this folder in future?
I think I'll be sticking with older versions from here on...My .02

I TOTALLY agree!

 

[fabs]

I can still roll back the started changes.

Should I start a poll for these additions?

 

[GTP]

Isn't this just doubling up the extra files and folders tab?
Where do you check the boxes here or there? If I uncheck in the Extra's tab will they stay checked in the optional Tab if they are found there?
Does this will mean I have to carefully check both places now so that I don't get a folder twice?

 

[fabs]

Isn't this just doubling up the extra files and folders tab?
Where do you check the boxes here or there? If I uncheck in the Extra's tab will they stay checked in the optional Tab if they are found there?
Does this will mean I have to carefully check both places now so that I don't get a folder twice?

If you are using the extra files and folders for the same purpose, then yes, there can be duplicates in the backup.
By default, all the non standard detected items are listed and checked. It means that if you have checked the same in the extra folders, it will be better to choose which item you want to use. If you wan to stick with the way you do it today, just clear the Unusual profiles folders general check box (and the Unusual C folders) and keep using the extra files and folders like you are already doing.

 

[GTP]

I can still roll back the started changes.

Should I start a poll for these additions?

Good idea.

 

[fabs]

All that stuff it tiring you know...
What about making this unusual stuff unselected by default? This way, only people who want it should check these items.

I do no want to see people walking away from Fab's AutoBackup just because I wanted to please some other guys. I do not have to forget who made my success: the early hour supporters

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Not sure I'm liking where Fab's Autobackup is going..
Starting to get too complicated now and moving away from the simple ease of use program it used to be.
By selecting "unusual folders" now means we have to deselect instead of select.
I would much rather spend 3~5 minutes browsing through the installation for stuff that needs to be backed up.
Had a client today that had stored phone pics in the C:\Windows\Temp folder. Will fab's check this folder in future?
I think I'll be sticking with older versions from here on...My .02

All that stuff it tiring you know...
What about making this unusual stuff unselected by default? This way, only people who want it should check these items.

All I'd like to have is the ability to pick the user, hit a "backup everything but Windows & programs" button...

I still don't understand why you wouldn't want to just back everything up.
If I only wanted certain folders, I'd just drag/drop in Windows Explorer...

 

[fabs]

I still don't understand why you wouldn't want to just back everything up.

When did I say that???

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

When did I say that???

You didn't

I would much rather spend 3~5 minutes browsing through the installation for stuff that needs to be backed up.

I've never looked at the pages in the program, I just click through "next" making sure "check all" is checked in the bottom...

 

[Porthos]

You didn't




I've never looked at the pages in the program, I just click through "next" making sure "check all" is checked in the bottom...

That's the issue. You dont look.

All I'd like to have is the ability to pick the user, hit a "backup everything but Windows & programs" button...

I still don't understand why you wouldn't want to just back everything up.

I don't want "everything". All I want is what Fab's gets now. I even uncheck or delete some of that later from the backup before I restore.
I look for the odd folders my self. I don't want to restore a bunch of crap to a clean install.

 

[glennd]

If you are using the extra files and folders for the same purpose, then yes, there can be duplicates in the backup.
By default, all the non standard detected items are listed and checked. It means that if you have checked the same in the extra folders, it will be better to choose which item you want to use. If you wan to stick with the way you do it today, just clear the Unusual profiles folders general check box (and the Unusual C folders) and keep using the extra files and folders like you are already doing.

That right there is going to generate plenty of confusion and creates the potential for mistakes.

The whole "unusual folders" items will have its own check box (one for the user profile, the other in the "public" tab)

Which user profile? Remember earlier there's the "Select users" checkboxes where I select which user profiles to backup. After Next, the "User's data" tab selects items for *all selected user profiles*. So when it comes to "Unusual folders" is it now displaying unusual folders found in all of the selected profiles?

checking it or not will be remembered like for the additional folders item.

Why? Isn't it *unusual* because it's... well.. not usual?

The paradigm is getting muddied. Up to now, the "User's data" tab is selecting things that are common to all profiles. Now you're adding to that things that are not common but specific to one profile on one computer and it doesn't show which profile and you want to remember it for subsequent computers.

Surely "Unusual folders" is already covered in "Extra files and folders"?

Should I start a poll for these additions?

Perhaps but maybe it just needs to be thought through more carefully before jumping in to the code.

All I'd like to have is the ability to pick the user, hit a "backup everything but Windows & programs" button...

Simple is good. Simple is less prone to mistakes. Simple works. Fab I would encourage you to give this some more thought before jumping in.

Edit: Here's a thought: On the "Extra files and folders" page, place a button that will "Scan for unusual profile files and folders" and anything found will be added to the "Additional Folders" tree or "Additional Files" list on this page and automatically checked. From there on the backup and restore is handled by existing code. You're work is done! Minimal changes to the gui, no change to the "just do it" use case, re-use existing code. Everyone wins!

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

I don't want "everything". All I want is what Fab's gets now. I even uncheck or delete some of that later from the backup before I restore.
I look for the odd folders my self. I don't want to restore a bunch of crap to a clean install.

at that rate, how is it any faster than drag-n-drop onto a USB stick?
Fabs doesn't install anything (that I know of ) its all just files... They don't slow down a computer... I get a few types of customers:

1. Image the drive! (I dont use Fabs)
2. just backup my pics/docs/music/pirated movies (I Fab the entire profile over)
3. I just need my resume and this semesters documents. (I just drag-n-drop documents/desktop/wherever they save what they want (I don't use Fabs)
4. Or as a thread I posted a couple days ago, I just need my QB18.QBW file. (Just search and drag-n-drop)
5. Nuke it! (I don't use Fabs)

I would just like solution 2 to ensure it gets any other odd folders/files in:

1. C:\
2. C:\Users\UserProfile

It can even save them on the desktop in a folder called "C:\ odd files backup" and "C:\Users\UserProfile files backup" for all I care.

I may not be using Fabs as intended, but when someone just wants their stuff, its nice to hit a button and backup, hit another button and restore.