Real World Mac Maintenance and Backups

Microsoft conditioned me to feel insecure about my data. Because of this I had always planned on following the often heard but rarely heeded advice to do regular backups of my data. But what this really requires is a coherent backup *system* not just a backup product. Similarly, I'd always planned to set up a regular maintenance routine for my Mac, a systematic approach not just the occasional use of a maintenance product. Problem: almost all info and reviews of backup and maintenance products in the Mac press write from a product-centered point of view focused on product features rather than a user-centric point of view focused on how to set up a backup and maintenance system to fit your needs and then how to choose products to fit into your system accordingly. Solution: Joe Kissell's book. Kissell's book is a very smart approach to developing automated backup and maintenance systems for your Mac that largely run in the background to protect your data and your hard drive automatically. He starts not with product features to look for, but with a thorough assessment of your specific needs that drives your search for specific product features to meet those needs. After guiding you through your needs, including things I had not thought of or considered, he then has a smart comparative review of current backup software to best match your needs with the products that have the features you need. It's systematic; the only systematic approach I've ever found to this complex subject. My only gripe is that you can tell it was written in Microsoft Word because the typography is terrible. But the substance, the content, is best in class. This is the best source of information on backups and maintenance for the Mac platform bar none. It's the only resource you need. All you need to do is read his book, set up your system, implement it, and stick to the weekly schedule. The whole thing can be done in one day or over a weekend. Do it before you lose important data that would take you far longer than a weekend to replace or reconstruct. I've integrated Joe's recommendations for a backup system and a maintenance system into an easy weekly backup & maintenance routine that keeps my Mac in top shape with redundant backups just in case. For once I have peace of mind regarding my data. Thanks Joe. Jeff Nailen BioFit Solutions

Since I have used OS X from day, I was very anxious to analyze this book and see how it compares to my actual experience. While I don't agree with everything the author wrote, the advice is solid, well explained, and very reliable. Every Mac should ship with this book. Unlike other books written for the IT crowd, this "Real World" book omits the boring details about why you should do certain tasks, and gives readers specific instructions on what to do daily, weekly, and yearly basis. You can open up the book and immediately start keeping your Mac in tip top shape. There were certain aspects of the advice I, and many other Mac professionals, would disagree with. The advice isn't incorrect, just not Universal (pun intended!). There is not one solution that fits all situations. Kissell acknowledges other opinions on these subjects. He actually quotes a variety of experts who disagree with his advice. In this industry, it's pretty rare for a expert to admit there are other perfectly valid, and polar opposite, opinions. I really appreciated Kissell's lack of ego. Again, this is "Real World" and in the real world two doctors can both be excellent and, yet have very different opinions. For example, some experts believe repairing permissions is absolutely critical while Kissell indicates this procedure has no redeeming value. His panel of experts gave different opinions allowing the reader to dras their own conclusion. (Personally, I recommend repairing permissions before any Apple update and any time you have problems), This book is his opinion and suggestions on proper maintenance. Unless you have a logical and justified reason not to follow his outstanding advice, treat his advice as gospel and follow it to the letter. In spite of the great maintenance advice Kissel gives, his advice on backups is second to none and should be required reading for anyone who has anything of value on their Mac. Why can't Apple explain it this easy (oh, that's right, they want you to upgrade to Leopard with built-in rudimentary backups)? He is going to save readers thousands of dollars in emergency data recovery costs. I suspect Kissel will be getting cookies baked for him, invitations to weddings, and wedding proposals himself. With Kissel's help, data loss can be eliminated in our generation! Seriously though, Kisssel realizes that people won't do everything he suggests, and he acknowledges that fact and creates good/better/best type scenarios for backups. People get intimidated by backups, and just ignore it--the same reason people don't go to the dentist. In the last chapter of the book, Kissel take the most popular backup program out there, Retrospect, and takes you step by step through proper backup and restoration. Even the least technical among us can easily follow his advice and not wake up in the middle of the night in fear of data loss. This book is one of the best organized I have seen. This is not a technical reference to be

As an IT support professional with fifteeen years of Macintosh experience, I didn't think I'd learn much from Kissell's book(s). I was wrong. His coverage of the pedagogy and practice of backups is stellar, and the discussion of different methods and products is invaluable. Similarly, the dicey issue of maintenance practices and procedures is handled with aplomb, including the suprisingly controversial topic of repairing permissions. I could bill my clients for several hours of lecture and best practices, but I prefer to recommend Kissell's work and encourage self-education.

Full disclosure: I'm on a mailing list on which the author solicited feedback and advice for one of the two ebooks that went into this volume. I watched the Backups book develop from a strong first draft into an in-depth, well reasoned, and thoroughly tested final version. This volume is not a book only for Mac novices, though they would benefit from it. Experts too will find here things they didn't know. And kudos for Joe Kissell for having the cojones to say publicly that repairing permissions is the "take two aspirin and call me in the morning" advice for the world of Mac OS X.

I've been using backup software since 1991, sometimes handling over 100 computers on a single backup set, and maintaining my Mac since 1985 (OS X since version 10.1) -- and I still learned quite a lot from this book (in its original form as two separate ebooks). This is a critical addition to one's Mac library, because it provides both a reference on how to keep a Mac working and solve problems that crop up, while also giving step-by-step advice on making backups that can save your bacon when data is inevitably lost.