[SOLVED] Backing up home folder

[Ziplock]

Since you've got plenty of space, the cp -Ra or rsync -av is probably as good as any.

[Jonathan183]

Since you've got plenty of space, the cp -Ra or rsync -av is probably as good as any.

cp -a will do ... R is not required if a option is specified

I tend to use rsync with something else on the front end ... but I tend to archive rather than backup data. Having had a drawing file which was corrupted when last accessed and then not opened for about 18 months any backups would be long gone. I do only take this care over genuine user data (docs, photos etc) - not home area with kde settings etc ...

I guess we all do what works for us - nice to have options

[esqobar]

That's a good point Jonathan. I think I might burn just my 'Documents' folder to CD also. This contains some very important stuff.

Thank you guys. You have helped me get things clear in my mind

I'll leave it a day or so & then mark thread as solved.

[Jonathan183]

It's worth renaming a file and doing a restore as well ... I've had backup software tell lies before about backup and restore operations ... earth fault on a DAT unit - logs showed info backed up and restored. It was only when I decided to erase a text file I created and restore it that I found the problem luckily this was after a couple of weeks rather than years and there had been no disasters with files.

btw that was using a network fileserver and backup software for the server ... just because the log files say - does not make it so.

[esqobar]

I have to admit I don't really trust backup software. I just prefer a very raw, hands-on approach. I'm pretty old fashioned in that respect.

I've just run my script and successfully backed-up my entire /home directory and I couldn't be happier. I've checked & tested my data and it's sound

Once again, thanks for all your help