In Operation
User interface and ease of use
Backup software should be easy to use. A clear and intuitive user interface will particularly be useful for non-technical users.
Here’s the user interface.
The program is, indeed, extremely simple to use. We need to choose a destination which is where our backups are stored. By default, the program selects to backup our Pictures, Documents, Music and Videos folders. But this selection can be changed, and additional folders added. The interface is marred by the program name in a huge font. Who thinks this is a good idea? Barmy!
We chose ~/Backups as the destination folder (you don’t actually need to choose an external location as the program suggests). The software creates a subfolder for each backup made with the name Backup_[DATE]. Making a second backup on the same day is handled badly.
Automation and Scheduling
Performing backups manually is prone to mistakes, omissions, and delays. Good backup software should automate the backup process. Scheduling backups offers a level of consistency that helps keep the backup process reliable.
There is no scheduling functionality available.
Storing backups
Efficiency comes from avoiding duplication of file storage. File compression is also an important factor. Encryption ensures security of your files to protect from unauthorized access. Even if backup files are stolen, the actual data cannot be deciphered without a decryption key.
There’s no support for deduplication.
One-Click-Backup doesn’t compress backups. Instead, if you want compression you’ll need to use a filesystem that supports compression such as ZFS, brtfs, or a Fuse plugin.
There’s no encryption available either. For encryption, you could store your backups on a LUKS-encrypted volume.
Reporting and Testing
Regularly testing your data backup strategy is essential for ensuring that backups are functioning as expected and that any configuration changes don’t cause any unexpected errors. It also allows you to identify and address any backup issues.
There’s no validation of backups available.
Customization
Backup software should allow you to customize your backups based on your requirements.
The only option available is to export a backup plan. Other than that, there’s nada.
Cloud support
Local backups won’t protect you from burglary or natural disasters.
There’s no specific functionality within the program for cloud support. You could always use SSHFS, which allows you to mount a remote filesystem using SFTP.
Documentation
Good backup software will provide clear documentation that explains how to use the software.
The software is so simple, documentation really would be redundant.
Pages in this article:
Page 1 – Introduction and Installation
Page 2 – In Operation
Page 3 – Summary