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SHIFT: Apple's Time Machine is the future of
data backup
Each week Adam Frucci takes a closer look at the latest gadget buzz in his column, Shift.
Image by Matt KruegerAt Monday's World Wide Developer's Conference, Apple revealed a number of new features for its upcoming update to the Mac OS X operating system, codenamed Leopard. While many of the features were interesting, the most attention-getting was Time Machine, a new system built directly into the OS for backing up and recovering data. While backing up data isn't exactly the most exciting thing you can do with a computer, it is extremely important and very few people actually do it. Anyone who's experienced a hard-drive crash can tell you it's devastating, and not backing up your family photos can be a crushing regret. Apple intends to make backing up data something that people don't even have to think about, which is certainly a great thing for folks who are less computer-savvy or don't have the time and energy to backup data on their own. However, Time Machine may not be the best solution for everybody.
What makes Time Machine so noteworthy is the fact that it backs up data automatically, and then allows people to recover it, piece by piece, very easily. Older backup programs weren't just confusing — they often forced users to restore their entire system if they needed to get back just one file. Of course, there's always been the method of backing up by simply burning discs of important files, but it's typically such a hassle that only the most anal retentive actually do it. With Time Machine, the only hassle is buying a second external hard drive to dedicate to backups — after all, you'll need enough space to store everything twice. Once it's hooked up and Time Machine knows it's your backup drive, you don't need to think about it ever again. The flashy interface allows users to sort through previous "versions" of folders, looking for a time when the file they want still existed. Simply press the restore button and back it goes, as if it was never deleted. This simplicity of recovery is Time Machine's strongest asset.
However, backing up data has the possibility of doing more than just protecting your family photos. Google is rumored to have a service known as GDrive in the works, a system that stores your data online for easy recovery. The biggest plus of an online storage system is the ability to access your files from anywhere, which makes GDrive more than a simple backup utility. It's also rumored that GDrive would offer virtually unlimited storage, giving a huge leg up on physical hard drives that can't compete with near-infinite space. In fact, Google envisions a time in which you store all of your data primarily online, just like your e-mail. With bandwidth speeds increasing, it isn't out of the question for remote storage to be even more convenient than a local hard drive. However, an online storage system like GDrive would certainly appeal more to advanced users than the less-savvy customers Apple's gunning for. Without the automatic backups it would most likely go unused by people without a need for remote data access or a fear of file loss.
Time Machine is a great innovation in data backup, one that promises to save many people the horror of realizing an important document or favorite photo has been lost to the digital abyss, never to return. I predict its simplicity and ease of use will make it the gold standard of backup systems, but it's not the end-all, be-all. With online storage becoming more of a reality, people will need to decide between the convenience of automatic backup coupled with the cost of an extra hard drive or the convenience of remote storage and the dedication of manual backups. While Time Machine is a great step, the future of backing up data will probably be a combination of its ease of use and the limitless potential of an online system. In fact, MediaMax by Streamload already offers a beta of a similar service, featuring 25 free GB of space for people to store their files and a program to automatically backup to it. While it isn't as consumer-friendly as Apple's new method, it's a good alternative. As soon as more players enter the field and connection speeds ramp up a bit, Time Machine will be just the first step towards a future of convenient data backup.
By LarryTheCableGuy at 6:23 AM ON 08/11/06
In the way Apple puts its information this "new" service sounds big and all that, but this is nothing but a 5-years-old idea they "borrow" from Microsoft called Windows System Restore.
They will add a few extra features to make it more cool, but the "IDEA" is Microsoft's.
By LarryTheCableGuy at 6:25 AM ON 08/11/06
...a 5-years-old idea they "borrowed" from Microsoft...(sorry for the typo).
By FileSlinger at 9:43 AM ON 08/11/06
Actually, while Windows System Restore is a useful tool, it doesn't protect your data. All it can do is undo changes to the Registry. This is very handy if a recently-installed update or program has messed up the way your machine runs, but does you no good whatsoever if you delete a file you wanted to keep.
By jackcheng at 2:21 PM ON 08/11/06
According to: http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/timemachine.html
With time machine you WILL be able to backup to a server.
By coops30 at 4:07 PM ON 08/11/06
Hmmm, I often wonder why PC users constantly go on the offensive when a Mac product is mentioned. They are always reminding us Mac users how rubbish our products are especially as most of them have never used a Mac and users that use both opt for the Mac.
Talking of borrowing ideas, do the following search on Google: Vista V OS X and see how many results appear claiming Microsoft have ripped OS X off!
By northoftheborder at 3:17 AM ON 08/17/06
I don't think of myself as "anal retentive" for burning discs every so often to save things.
Mac vs PC aside, this is just another simplification of a perfectly fine method of storing data. In an age where people continually opt for the easiest, one-button way of doing things, this further makes Mac's OS more basic-computer-user friendly.
By northoftheborder at 3:19 AM ON 08/17/06
Not to mention that it won't work on Macbooks that only have space for one drive...
By buonoj at 7:31 AM ON 08/17/06
Seems people are not reading close enough. first Time machine REQUIRES an external HD, that is right not internal, so you can use it on all Macs.
Secondly google idea of network back up while their approach is innovative is great if you have a small abount of data, but when you have hundreds of gig,that change weekly then using a network back up even with 4 mbps is way to slow.
Heck as it stands now it itakes 3 hours to do a local back up once a week, and I am not what you would consider a power user, just photos, movies, music, and occassionally work.
And lastly on the great war, the only thing system restore and time machine have in common is that both deal with data recovery, and that is about it.
By jaericho at 8:41 AM ON 08/17/06
Fileslinger: System restore does only restore the registry but 'Previous Version' works on files and directories. I use it with my 2003 server and xp desktops.
coops30: it is very simple. MS users really don't see any positive hype from what MS does. (other than from MS) The first thing that happens when MS announces something supposedly great is a bunch of mac fanatics rushing in to say "They copied us!" It is a vicious cycle that goes both ways. That is what happens when people love the brand and not the product. They don't seen anything objectively.
By hal3003 at 12:44 PM ON 08/22/06
First off the idea is great but it should be done for both Apple and PC by a third party. This would allow for all the bugs that come with both Apple and MS to be corrected before or shortly after the release.
Seconlly it keeps your information-your information and not the rest of the worlds and big brother. Just like burning discs keeps your information where you are and not in the NSA's server.
Thirdly the only down side of the trend to make everything one button friendly is that it dumbs down the World. We already have far tooooo many things that are in the wrong hands because they are toooooo easy to use. Just go to any mall or wal-mart or look at a lot of the cars going down the highway and you will see far tooooo many teeny bobbers and old ladies and old men and soccor moms talking to themselves and saying nothing but burning up money to the cell phone companies.
But the idea is great.
on your cellphone!
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hal3003:
First off the idea is great but it should be done for both Apple and PC by a third party. This would allow for all...More »