Helpful Programs
I know I don’t blog about stuff like this normally but just recently I’ve found a few applications that I’ve found very helpful with respects to data management & backing up.
1. If you’re a Wordpress user you may find the WordPress Database Backup plugin useful (if you’re not already using it, of course). I particularly like the fact that it’s one of those programs you can almost foget as there’s a handy function that lets you program the plugin to email your MySQL database on a regular basis. It does everything I could ask for on that front.
2. SyncToy is a freeware backup program by Microsoft. If you spend much of you time away from your PC worrying about your backups not being robust enough for your liking (I can’t be the only one can I?) and you have a spare hard-drive (I use this Seagate 250GB USB external drive with great effect) then this may well be for you too. Basically, you set up pairs of folders by selecting the folder that you want backed up and a pre-created folder on the spare hard-drive. SyncToy then searches each folder and can do a number of things, including something known as ‘Echo’. This makes carbon copies of everything on your main drive and stores them on your backup drive. Again, this is everything I could ask for with a backup program as I prefer to have identical copies of folder structures rather than a single backed up file (like MS Backup creates). Why it’s not available as part of the standard XP install is beyond me.
3. Spacemonger creates a visual interpretation of what’s on your hard-drive. Folder structures can easily be seen as can the folders’ contents based on their size. What this means is that you can easily see if there are large unnecessary files hidden away in folders and sort them out. I’ve managed to free up about 11 gigabytes of data that were duplicates files (mostly due to the stupid way that I stored and altered my photos). There’s a free 30 day trial version available at which point you’ll have to shell out $19.99 but those 30 days may be all you need to sort out your offending files and promise that you’ll be more careful in the future!
There you go. Thought it was worth sharing.