Adding files to archive?

[gbrinck]

Hello,

A friend recomended AC to me and I'm here trying to learn more about it.

Unless I'm misunderstanding something, AC does not appear to provide any means of incrementally backing up files. In other words, I will periodically have to recreate a complete archive of all my image files. Currently my files will just fit on 2 CDs if I merely copy to the CD, but it will probably require three with AC, allowing space for the index and thumbnails. To me, this represents a significant inhibitor to using AC, since I am continually creating more image files. I have plenty of hard disk space, so the only reason I have to make CDs is for backup purposes and I would like to do this weekly. Recreating the entire archive each time would be burdensome, I think.

The inclusion of the index on each CD is convenient but makes an open-ended archive impractical. Is there a solution for this?

[MichaelT]

The solution is this....

A future version of AC (soon) will have a date function so that it will archive just selected folders and files after that date. So you burn this incremental CD. It is just a security backup. You can throw it away later when the full archive ir burned.

When you have a grouping that is ready for the final archive, like Jan-Mar2002, then you can do a complete archive set.

The reasons for this are that CDs are cheap and to have a multi-session CD is against the rules of archiving. They are not good backups and easy to mess up based on they're not being finalized.

We also plan to offer interim incremental solutionsing using CD-RW, while not a good archive medium, they are perfect for what you want to do. Just reburn the archive set onto CD-RW, and then finally burn the set to CD-R when it is in a final state...like I mentioned above.

We plan to add many capabilities as we go along, but our first prioroity is long term backup. I think you will see a lot of features like you suggest being added along the way. Right now our first priority os to get our official version out the door (another day or 2) and then get the DVD support in place...and add things like are discssed here.

Also cataloging is planned to be added.

We have a long term plan in mind and I think it will meet your needs.

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions...that is what we base our development plan on.

Happy holidays..

[gbrinck]

Thanks for the prompt reply and the info, Michael. I can see you have ambitious plans for this fine product.

[MichaelT]

Thanks. Once we get the official release out and going, we can concentrate on the improvements that we plan.

We appreciate all input and will respond as best as we can to it.

Thanks and have a happy holiday..