Incremental backup apps?

[Spiderspoon]

So, a few years on, I have just installed Mint 19.3 Cinnamon. Is there a backup app which does incremental backups?

If there isn't, what is the recommended routine? Delete previous backups? Just keep the latest one?

[Moem]

Is there a backup app which does incremental backups?

Deja-Dup, Backintime, I'm sure there are others...

Also I've split this off into a new topic. It's a perfectly valid question, but it does not in any way depend on the old thread it was in.

[regmar]

Have a look at rsnapshot, it does exactly what you need, incremental backups. https://linuxconfig.org/guide-to-rsnaps ... s-on-linux

[AndyMH]

Apart from being command line, don't see what rsnapshots has to offer over backintime, luckybackup, etc.

[pbear]

Is there a backup app which does incremental backups?

Be aware, there are two kinds of incrementalism when it comes to backups. One is where only the changed files are copied but they're copied as whole files; the other is where only the changes are copied. The latter is faster, but requires all the backup files together to restore the data. Whole file is more suitable for desktop users, IMHO, where changes only is more suitable for networks backing up lots of users to a central server. Then a separate issue is whether you want snapshots, i.e., the ability to restore to multiple points in time. Snapshots are more flexible, but require more storage space.

FWIW, I use rsync, which is whole file (when used for local backup) but not snapshot. It's command line (run in terminal), so might not appeal to you. If not, there are several GUI options, including those already mentioned.

[Flemur]

I use grsync, which is rsync + a GUI, to backup data and OSs, keeping the latest copy of each file; IIRC rsync can save updated copies, but I've never tried it. grsync also provides a very useful preview.
(click to make it look better)

[Spiderspoon]

I don't mind command line. I have used it a bit years ago with CP/M, AmigaDOS and a little in MSDOS.
I noticed /mnt in the last screenshot. I presume that is mounting a drive. I haven't learnt about that yet.
I back up to a USB hard drive. Will these programs all back up to USB drives?
I am planning on reinstalling and I just want to back up first.
For now, I will probably just use Linux standard backup and look into these other programs on the new installation.

[Spiderspoon]

I use grsync, which is rsync + a GUI,

How did you put grsync and rsync etc into that text box?

[squiggles3]

I use grsync, which is rsync + a GUI,

How did you put grsync and rsync etc into that text box?

Using the code tags. Looks like

Code: Select all

</>

in the formatting tools. It's the preferred method to share commands or terminal output.

[pbear]

How did you put grsync and rsync etc into that text box?

Select the text then click the little button with a "c" on it (above the text entry window). Squiggles, you're thinking of the other code tag.

Anytime you want to see how someone did something, click the Quote button, which will bring up their text with all the codes.
If you're just looking at the codes and don't want to reply, simply close the window and no one will even know you looked.

[Spiderspoon]

let me try that
Test
Well that didn't work.
Test again
Ah, I had turned BBCode off as I didn't know what it was. I will turn it back on in preferences.