One of OS X Lion’s new features around it’s fantastic TimeMachine backup facility is also perhaps one of the least known. TimeMachine is a built in backup system which you can set up and forget about, each time it detects your backup device it will automatically start backing up. (If you last one was missed/delayed)
However, if you are a ‘road warrior’ and spend more time disconnected from your backup device then connected, you no longer have to worry about your important files not being backed up. OS X Lion actually back’s up your files in a local cache whilst your normal backup device is unavailable. Then, when you plug in/come in range of your normal backup device, TimeMachine will then move the cached files over to your other drive!
Despite the fact the market is full of third party backup applications, including some very powerful free ones, I personally have no need to use anything but TimeMachine. In my opinion it’s almost perfect!!
Time Machine works with your Mac and an external hard drive or Time Capsule. Connect the drive, assign it to Time Machine, and start enjoying some peace of mind. Time Machine automatically backs up your entire Mac, including system files, applications, accounts, preferences, music, photos, movies, and documents. But what makes Time Machine different from other backup applications is that it not only keeps a spare copy of every file, it remembers how your system looked on any given day — so you can revisit your Mac as it appeared in the past.
TimeMachine makes finding previously backed up files as easy as navigating normal finder views:
click to enlarge…Restore files is as simple as ‘Right Click > Restore’. I have actually been known to use TimeMachine as a built in source code revision system. Bringing back files prior to code changes – all whilst being out on the road and not near my TimeCapsule.
If you use something else for your backups, let me know by using the comments system below.