Backups not using tar...

[tqz]

Hi all

Without using tar, I would like to backup my files from my ubuntu server to another external device, so that the files can be accessed without difficulty by a user using their windows pc i.e. dont have to use a restore program or untar files etc...

I have done this using the copy command which is executed by a cron job.
However if I would like to only copy files that have changed since the last copy (like incremental backups) how can this be done?

Also, is there a way of excluding files to copy - although I want to back everything up, I dont want to back up the files on the external storage or /proc, /tmp etc....

Many thanks in advance

t.

[bigtomrodney]

Have a look at rsync, it is used to only copy files that are missing or have changed in the meantime. It is ideal for what you are trying to do.

[elija]

A rather funky rsync front end - Back In Time