BackupPlan.txt                                 08/09/14
               Recommended Backup Plan
               -----------------------
               
A Backup Plan:
--------------
   You need:
      a. Image Backup for system recovery
      b. Incremental image backups for fast daily use.
      c. Individual File Recovery for recovering mistakes
   Nice to have: 
      Automatic scheduling so you don't forget.
      Email notification
      Off-Site backup
      
Candidates:
   Time Machine
      + Does everything automatically with no bother.
      - Only works on Apple computers
   Windows Image 
      + Works well on Windows 7, part of Windows
      - No incremental backup.
      - Was in Win 8.0, removed from 8.1 Update 1.
   Win 8.1 File History 
      + Fully automatic File Backup, like Time Machine
      - Data only, no system or image backup.
      - Difficult to control what gets backed up (Libraries only).
      - Difficult to find a file to recover
   Macrium Reflect 
      + Free Image, good user interface
      + Can recover individual files, send Email
      - Incremental, File backup, Email in paid only ($50)
   Acronis 
      + Image, Incremental, scheduling, and Email
      + "Continuous Backup" for data files
      - Paid only, $50 list
   EaseUS Todo
      + Free, Image + Increment + File backup 
      + Can recover individual files.
      - Scheduling and Email in paid version only ($29)
      
Recommendation:
---------------
   EaseUS Todo Free - the only candidate that provides all the 'need's
   in one, free package.
   

How to Get Started:
-------------------
   1. Buy an external USB hard drive, WD Passport or equivalent.
      Get a 1 TB with USB 3 connection.

   2. Download EaseUS Todo backup, free version.
      http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm
      (downloads installer tb_free.exe)

   3. Start doing full/incremental backups
      Full image weekly, incremental daily
      Test by recovering a single file.
   
   4. Get fancier AFTER you have it working!   
   Paid version ($29) includes scheduling and email notify.
   Off-Site: Get a second external drive, keep it in the car.
       (Anything in the Cloud is way too slow.)
   Apple:  Use TimeMachine - it does everything!