Copyright: Copyright (C) 1995-1996 B. Cordes, Wees, Germany


Purpose of program

Backer is a Windows 95 utility for

•	Synchronizing,

•	Updating and

•	Archiving

directories and files via

•	Network,

•	Cable,

•	Infrared,

•	Disk or

•	Other media (Zip, Jaz etc.).

Backer keeps all your computers and disks up-to-date.

With Backer you can:

•	Synchronize your notebook before you travel and your desktop afterwards;

•	Synchronize files within a work team;

•	Transfer files between your office and your home;

•	Backup your day's or week's work;

•	Keep current copies of system files on disk to be prepared for a crash;

•	And many things more.

Features of Backer:

• Convenient setup • Uses file creation / modification dates to compare • Interactive selection of included or excluded directories, files and file types• Several options for sorting, confirmation, filtering and cleaning-up • Fast access to stored configurations • Unattended operation with log of all actions • Can process unlimited quantities of data • Writes standard MS-DOS files - readable on virtually any computer in the world without special software • Comprehensive online help with many examples • Ready-to-print manual included

Backer is indispensable for...

•	Everyone who works on more than one computer;

•	Those who do not want the cost and hassle of large programs just to backup 20 files a week;

•	Everyone who would suffer economic damage by a data loss;

•	Network administrators who want a simple yet powerful backup tool on everybody's PC;

•	Backups and mirrors of network servers.


Installation

Backer runs on any computer that runs Windows 95 or Windows NT.

If you received this software in a compressed state, decompress it first. For installation start Setup.exe.

Backer consists of:

• Backer32.exe 	Executable file

• Backer32.dll 	Accompanying library

• Backer32.hlp 	Online help

• Backer32.cnt 	Contents of online help

• Backer32.rtf 	The essentials of the documentation in shortened form

• System.bac 	Example file: Backing up system files to disk

• Desktop.bac 	Example file: Backing up your personal Desktop to disk

• TmpBak.bac 	Example file: Removing unnecessary files from your hard disk

Depending on your source of supply you will find additional files. At least Backer32.exe and Backer32.dll are required for operation.


Deinstallation

Backer can be deinstalled by the Control Panel of Windows 95, symbol "Software".

Afterwards you have to manually delete the file Backer32.ini in your Windows directory (usually C:\Windows\).


Before you get started

Important hints

•	Since Backer works with your valuable data, please take the time to familiarize yourself with its operation before attempting ambitious tasks with it.

•	Files erased by Backer cannot be restored from the Windows 95 Recycle Bin.

•	For optimal use knowledge of some basic terms is required.

•	Answers to frequently asked questions can be found with the button Problems? above.

Working through this online help
You can leafed through each of the 8 main chapters with the buttons >> und <<. The complete text of this online help is available to you in the file Backer32.rtf. The WordPad supplied with Windows 95 can read this format, as well as any modern word processor.


Mode of operation

Backer compares two different versions of one and the same file by the date-time stamp. This stamp is determined on creation of a file and updated to the present date and the present time each time a file is modified.

The date-time stamp of a file is modified only if you, the user, demand this by giving your application a save command for a new or revised document, but remain untouched when copying or moving it. You see: It is you, not the computer, who affects a file's date-time stamp. This make it a very reliable criterion of newer file versions. A non-existing version of a file is considered 'infinitely old' in this sense.

Caution!
If the clock in one of your computers is inoperative, the stamp used by this computer will be incorrect. Therefore, do not use Backer on computers with inoperative clocks.


Typical uses

The capability to compare date-time stamps allows a variety of uses:

•	You can synchronize the data on two computers, that is bring them to the same state. The newer version replaces the older one, and files not present on one machine are added. Synchronizing can work in only one direction or in both. This is useful for example between a notebook and a desktop system or among network computers. If the computers are not connected directly files can be transferred with the help of a disk.

•	You can backup important documents to disk in case they accidentally get deleted from the hard disk or it refuses to work. You can have individual configurations for different projects or applications to divide data volumes down so that each fits on a single 1.44MB or Zip disk.

•	If a data loss really has occured you can restore your documents from disk. Backer can handle both copy directions in the same manner so you can proceed just like before with the backup.

•	You can backup system files to disk so that you can restore these important files any time your computer has become 'sick'.

•	And last but not least you can compare directory trees in general, even without any kind of updating, or just copy files or use Backer as a general search tool.

As mentioned, you can configure Backer for any need and store this configuration so that you can get started at once the next time.


Differences to other backup software

The archive bit

Other backup utilities check a file's so-called archive bit to decide whether it has already been backuped. With every backup is gets cleared so that multiple backups of the same data are not possible. Neither is it feasible that way to synchronize two computers, since there never is a comparison to the data in the destination. Backer's date-time comparison is just as reliable, but more flexible and powerful.

Compression

Commercial backup programs often advertise high transfer rates and good compression. However, this reduces compatibility, that is cooperation with other computers. Usually these backups can only be read by the program that created them. Backer creates normal MS-DOS files that can be read on almost any computer in the world.

Large data volumes

Some products set a fixed upper limit to the number of files to be processed. Backer, in comparison, is only confined by available memory (RAM), thus being very powerful with larger data volumes.

Please also read the comment on My Briefcase.


Multiple disks in a backuo
Multiple disks in a backup

If you want to backup a complete hard disk to Zip disks you will certainly need more than 1 Zip disk for that. Backer supports such backups only partially.

The mode of operation described requires that the whole data volumes of source and destination are accessible 'at one glance'. This is not possible with multiple disks. Programs that offer backups to multiple disks use the archive bit instead of the date-time stamp and work without comparisons.

But...
If you do backups into an empty directory (for example with the destinations changing daily) or onto an empty medium, then there is nothing to compare and you can work across multiple disks. When the Interruption appears with the message "Lower drive is full." simply insert a new disk and press Retry.

There is no reason to backup a complete hard disk! Just compare how little space all the documents you create in one year occupy, and how much space the word processor itself, which you have on CD-ROM anyway. Why lug two thirds of ballast with you? If you confine yourself to the data created by yourself a single disk will do. Handling mutliple disks is always impractical - the better solution is to either subdivide the data volume or buy a larger backup medium. Storing a 2 GB hard disk on Zip disks is neither a cheap pleasure, nor can it be done in reasonable time.

In the chapter "Examples" you will find procedures how to steer clear of the obstacles of multiple disks with Backer.


My Briefcase

Have you tried My Briefcase? It is supposed to synchronize your data, just like Backer.

My Briefcase makes a copy of each file to be updated in the directory C:\Windows\Desktop\My Briefcase (or another Briefcase directory you specify). It does not compare two copies of a file directly but only via this unnecessary third copy. That way, a direct comparison of directory trees is impossible. The idea behind My Briefcase is that you work with the file copies inside it when you travel, just as you would with a real briefcase. The disadvantage is that you have to rip files out of their original directory structures. Backer works directly on the original directories, without a third copy.


Connecting to computers and drives

Windows 95 offers numerous ways to connect computers and drives to each other: Networks, serial or parallel cables, phone lines, drivers for add-on drives like Zip or Jaz. The technical details are shielded from the user to insure the most uniform appearance of all drives possible.

To put it another way: Windows 95 shows you all available mass storage devices through drive letters (A: to Z:). What they stand for physically (a floppy disk, a hard disk or a CD-ROM, in your own or another machine) and how you are connected to them physically does not matter - you only want access to their files and directories. Backer also uses this simplification.

You can learn more about using the Direct Cable Connection in the chapter "Making work easier".


Workfiles

A workfile tells Backer what to do. It contains the source directories and files to be processed, the destination to copy the files to and the options you selected. To put it shortly: It knows everything about your updates or backups.

The filename extension is .bac. This extension identifies a workfile in the command line or at Drag and Drop, which Backer then opens automatically.


Drives, files, directories, paths, folders

You should be proficient with these terms and objects to get the most out of Backer.

Drives
are anything that hides behind a letter with trailing colon. Typical examples are A: for the first floppy disk drive, B: for the second, C: for the hard disk drive, D: for a CD-ROM drive or a second hard disk drive. Basically anything from D: can be allocated freely to network drives, CD-ROM drives, removable media drives, Direct Cable Connections etc. It is the task of your operating system Windows 95 to administer all this

Files
are, from a user's point of view, the basic storage element on a drive. If you write a letter in your word processor and save it to disk, Windows 95 will create a file on the drive you specify. Images, applications, spreadsheets, sounds, videos and so on are all examples for files. There is the possibility to bundle several of these together into a single new file, often called an archive (this capability is not included in Wndows 95 itself).
A file has a filename and a filename extension, often also called type. Both are separated by a period. Before Windows 95 the choice of name was limited to 8 characters for the filename and 3 characters for the filename extension. A file can be named with or without its path.

Directories
put files together in groups. Windows 95 allows hierarchical directories, that is you can set up subdirectories and thus build a directory tree. This simplifies the overview considerably. The best example is the Windows directory that in turn contains various subdirectories. Practically everything Windows needs to function is gathered there.
Directories and subdirectories are lined up one after the other, separated by a backslash, to build paths.

Paths
tell the way along which a file can be found on the whole computer (including all drives connected to it via network or Direct Cable Connection). A path consists of lined up directory names. A drive letter with a colon can be in front.
Backer adds, other than Windows 95 itself, an extra backslash to the end of a path to achieve a clear visual separation to files with path: C:\Backer\Test\ is a path, C:\Backer\Test is a file with path.
In practice directories are synonymous to paths without drive letters, since a directory name alone is not very helpful.

Folders
Windows 95 names directories folders and files partly documents. Strictly speaking, folder is a more general term than directory, since it cannot only contain files but also any other object. An example are the folders for fonts or printers. Backer also uses folders in a more general sense and therefore names directories still directories.

Example
For the file C:\Test\Backer\Backer.hlp the path is C:\Test\Backer\,, the filename Backer and the filename extension .hlp. The drive letter is C: and the directory \Test\Backer\.
The file A:\Test\Backer\Backer.hlp  matches in directory, filename and filename extension but has a different path due to the drive letter.


Long filenames

Windows 95 allows file and directory names of up to 255 characters, including spaces and other special characters, instead of the old 8.3 limitation. As a true 32 bit application Backer works with the long filenames. However, they contain some traps that you should be aware of.

In order to let 16 bit programs access files with long filenames Windows 95 creates a short name following the old 8.3 convention by preserving the first six characters of the long name and adding a tilde ~ as well as a digit. The filename extension stays the same. You can display the short names via the properties of a file or directory.

The Birthday letter to Grandma.doc thus becomes BIRTHD~1.DOC. So far, so good. If later another filename is identical in the first six characters the digit will simply be counted up. The Birthday card to Peter.doc thus becomes BIRTHD~2.DOC. Still there is no problem.

If, however, you now create a Birthday greeting to Susy.doc in another directory or on another computer it will also get the short name BIRTHD~1.DOC. Copy this letter with a program without long filenames (and this means Windows 3.1, too) to the other two, and the letter to Susy overwrites the letter to Grandma, since the short names are identical. But even if the copy program supports long filenames you will have a problem: The letter to Susy's copy gets the short name BIRTHD~3.DOC. One and the same letter now exists under two different short names and will puzzle every program that does not yet support long filenames.

What you can do against it: Make sure that no two long filenames in the same directory start with the same six characters. If you follow the advice below this count is raised from six to eight.

How to avoid the tilde character and get short names with eight characters:

•	Run C:\Windows\RegEdit.exe to edit the Registry that contains the user and system settings.

•	Expand the branch HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE in the left window until you reach HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\control\FileSystem.

•	Click on FileSystem in the left window. In the right window you see a list of the values assigned to the FileSystem key.

•	Select Edit | New | Binary value.

•	Enter NameNumericTail and press Return.

•	Double-click on the new entry NameNumericTail, enter the value 0 (appears as 00) in the dialog box and press OK.

•	Exit RegEdit and restart Windows 95.

Filenames with tildes that already exist remain untouched by this, and as soon as a long filename is identical to an existing one in the first eight characters Windows 95 falls back to the tilde with digit. In these cases you must rename the long filenames by hand, for example with the Explorer.

Long filenames may occur even though there are not more than eight characters but a character formerly not allowed, like space, is contained.


Example 1: Synchronizing notebook and desktop

You want to go on a business trip, go home or on a holiday, and get some work done on your notebook? Then you will first have to get the latest versions of your files (texts, speadsheets, data bases etc.) onto the notebook. This example assumes that the two computers are directly connected to each other (network, Direct Cable Connection, phone line). If they are not, read the next example.

This example can be configured with the Quick setup. It suffices to run Backer on only one of the two computers. (This is true for anything you do with Backer.)

•	Find out under which drive letter your notebook's hard disk is addressed by your desktop (or vice versa).

•	Select the two directory trees that correspond to each other on notebook and desktop as Source und Destination.

•	Check All subdirectories.

•	Enter *.* at Files: Inclusive ein.

•	Enter files to be excluded from synchronizing at Files: Exclusive, for example closed documents *Closed*.*, backup copies *.bak or single files like Not urgent.doc.

•	Select Confirm: No.

•	Select Touch: Destination and source.

•	Press OK.

•	Select menu item Save as... and save your configuration by a name of your choice. You have just created your first workfile.

•	Select menu item Update.

The latest versions of your files are copied from the desktop to the notebook. Files that are newer on the notebook or are absent on the desktop are copied from the notebook to the desktop.

On return to your work desk this procedure repeats: All you have to do is open the workfile created and start updating. Since you selected Touch: Destination and source the latest versions of your files are now copied from your notebook to your desktop.

To make life even easier put this workfile into the Top Twelve. Once you are an advanced user, try automatic erasing of Orphans.


Example 2: Transferring files between your office and your home

It is assumed that your computer at home and your computer at the office are not connected via the phone line. That would be the prerequisites for example 1.

You proceed as in example 1 but insert disks as an aid. You must subdivide your data volumes by hand to fit on one disk each. If necessary, create individual workfiles for the various subdirectories. The destination must be A:\ (or the drive letter of a Zip drive), and you must run an update first on one machine, then on the other.

You can confine the data volume very easily by an age limit. Note that returning to the Quick setup may cancel this age limit.


Example 3: Backing up important documents to disk

This example is very similar to example 2, because there you have already been working with disks. Here, however, it is especially important to cut down the data cvolume to avoid multiple disks in a backup. Basically there are two variants: You spread the documents created with your applications in those respective directories, or you collect all documents in their own directory tree.

Documents are in the applications' directories

If for example you want to backup your Windows 95 it is not necessary to process the whole directory tree C:\Windows\* - that would be about 100 MB with a full installation. After all, you have the CD-ROM from Microsoft. Concentrate on those files that were created or modified after the installation. They can simply be recognized since the installed files all bear the same date (the German Windows 95 for example 08/24/95, the first sales day in Germany). Unless you have carried out the installation on exactly that day all data relevant for the backup are younger. Set an age limit, and the data volume decreases to about one third - without any risk for you.

This procedure works with any installed application because the installed files must always be older than the day you have installed them. You can even tell this borderline afterwards as most software companies set all files to the same date and time. Create a workfile for each application.

Documents are in their own directory tree

Here no files belonging to the application get in your way. You can backup the whole tree to a single data carrier, or you can subdivide them for example into texts, spreadsheets, pictures etc. With inclusive and exclusive directories and files you can filter your data as you like. Create a workfile for each type.

For both cases

Find out what data volumes result from the individual workfiles. Combine several workfiles into a batch file so that about one third of the backup medium remains as a reserve. The lot of work will pay off when you save time and money at backup.

Select Touch: Destination only. If you store more than one application to the same disk you should keep the paths so that the directory trees are preserved. The quick setup shortens the paths. By varying the destination you can hold different versions of the same file on disk.

In example 4 the files will be restored. Example 5 explains a backup strategy for small offices and home offices. An emergency disk with the most important system files will be created in example 6.


Example 4: Restoring important documents from disk

This example is based on example 4. In case you have suffered a data loss on your hard disk you can use your backups for recovery. If the application has been erased, too, first install it from the original media.

Open the workfile or batch file you have carried out the backup with. Select Touch: Source only and start the update. Your files are being restored.


Example 5: A backup strategy

A backup strategy is your personal way to effectively protect yourself against data loss. Data loss can have many causes:

•	Viruses

•	Damaged hard disks (notebook fallen to the ground?)

•	Human error ("I thought we wouldn't need this document anymore...")

•	Revising a document until you realize you have ended up in a dead-end street and want to have back the old version

This is not to create exaggerated fear of data loss. Nevertheless, if your data are an economical value, you need to protect them. To which extent you go depends on the value of your data: Losing the letter to Grandma will probably not hurt; losing all your company data will probably be the end of your company. Backer gives you the whole spectrum of data security - decide for yourself!

Your personal strategy could for example be:

•	Every day's work is saved to a 1.44MB disk by setting an age limit of 0 days. Every day of the week has its own disk that gets overwritten after 7 days.

•	Once a week you save to a Zip disk with the destination changing daily. If a medium is full you buy a new one. This way you build up an archive with date information over the months that allows you to regain old versions any time.

•	If you accumulate large data volumes every day you should climb to a higher level, for example with Zip disks for the daily and Jaz media for the weekly backup.

Under Touch techniques to maintain an archive or backup are explained.


Example 6: Backing up system files to disk

The included workfile System.bac backups several important Windows 95 system files to disk, as well as the user settings in the Registry and the .ini  files. Open System.bac, insert an empty floppy disk into drive A: and start updating. If storage space on the first disk is not sufficient insert a second one when the Interruption appears and press Retry. Label this disk and put it to a safe place. Update it once a month.

You can restore your data by opening System.bac, select Touch: Source only and start updating.

The first disk in an emergency is always the Windows 95 Startup Disk that you can create in the Control Panel, icon "Software".

System.bac shows an application for the Attributes.


Example 7: Backing up your personal Desktop'
Example 7: Backing up your personal Desktop to disk

The Desktop is Windows 95's main window. You can create links to programs and documents here for faster access.

The included workfile Desktop.bac backups your Desktop to disk, and also your Start Menu. Open Desktop.bac, insert an empty disk into drive A: and start updating. Label this disk and put it to a safe place. Update it after major changes.

You can restore your data by opening Desktop.bac, select Touch: Source only and start updating. The changes take effect immediately. The icons' exact positions are not remembered; you must have them rearranged.

You can backup different Desktops to the same disk by expanding the destination, for example from A:\ to A:\Project Miller & Son\ and save this workfile by another name like Desktop for Project Miller & Son.bac. Proceed like this for other Desktops.

Desktop.bac shows an application for the Orphans, since it deletes outdated links (files) from Destination or Source, respectively.


Example 8: Removing unnecessary files from your hard drive
Example 8: Removing unnecessary files from your hard disk

In the course of time a lot of unnecessary files gather on your hard disk: temporary files *.tmp that an application forgot to erase after use (or could not erase anymore due to a crash), backup copies *.bak that you had created while working on a document but do not need anymore, etc. Backer can search your hard disk for such files. This is done by the included workfile TmpBak.bac.

A Destination is not really necessary here, so C:\Windows\Temp\ is assumed. In the Overview all files found are presented. Check which are to be erased, highlight them and press Erase. Do not press Normal, or you would have files copied. To end press OK. The unnecessary files are deleted.

Warning! Do not erase *.tmp files that could belong to a running application. Make sure with .bak files that you really do not need them anymore. For safety the overview is sorted by date, with the latest files on top.


Example 9: Comparing two directory trees

In general Backer can be used to compare two directory trees, that is directories with all their subdirectories, without having to update them. You can, for example, compare two installations of the same application in a network or via the Direct Cable Connection if one runs okay and the other not.

In the Quick setup select the two directory trees as Source and Destination with All subdirectories and *.* as Inclusive file, also Confirmation: Overview and Touch: Destination and source. If you start updating an Overview list of all differences in the two directory trees is displayed.


Example 10: Just copying

You can copy with the help of the Explorer, too, but not as comfortable:

Neither does the Explorer tell you if all data to be copied will fit onto the destination drive, nor how far the copy command has progressed. It just cannot do that because it always works through such commands in small portions. Backer, on the other hand, first does a survey of the whole data volume and therefore can give you constant information.

Copying files with Backer probably needs no further explanation. If however you are a novice look at the Quick setup.


New

Creates en empty workfile in memory. Backer sets the configuration to the values most used. If you have saved options separately those are used. A filename is assigned when the workfile is saved for the first time.

A warning is issued if memory contains unsaved data.


Open

Reloads a workfile into memory.

A warning is issued if memory contains unsaved data.

You can, provided the filename extension is .bac, also pass a workfile on in the command line on program start. Besides a list of the last 6 workfiles is kept, and you can put frequently used files on the function keys F1 to F12 as Top Twelve.


Save

Saves a workfile currently in memory. The existing filename is used. In case you want to respecify it or have not yet named the file you must select menu item Save as....


Save as...

Saves the workfile currently in memory by a new name. In case you want to keep the existing filename you must select menu item Save .


Exit

Exits Backer.

A warning is issued if memory contains unsaved data.


View log

Displays the Log file. You can modify, save or print it or open it in a word processor of your choice.

If you have not yet specified a word processor you'll have to choose one first. Changes can be made with the small yellow button.


Quick setup

The Quick setup summarizes the most important settings of menu items Source, Destination and Options. For quick updates without rarely used options this is the easiest way - or if you have not yet worked with Backer and look for an easy approach.

You can select a single directory and the destination belonging to it. The various inclusive and exclusive filenames are separated by spaces.

Caution!

When pressing OK, the settings not appearing here are set to standard values. These are:

•	All further inclusive directories are lost.

•	All exclusive directories are lost.

•	Fixed destination

•	Sort by path

•	Shorten paths

•	No attributes

•	No age limit

•	Copy / ignore / copy / copy / ignore orphans

•	Warnings with message but without sound

•	No automation

•	Create directories in source and destination as needed

•	Do not delete empty directories in source and destination

•	Size check factor 3

To prevent setting of these standard values press Cancel, but you will also lose your recent changes.

More explanations can be found under the menu items mentioned above. You can simply leaf forward with the buttons on top.


Source

Selects the directories and files you want to process. All directories must be on the same drive. An alternative is the configuration via Drag and Drop.

Directories and files can each be inklusive or exklusive. Backer processes your selection by the simple formula "All the inclusives minus all the exclusives". That way you can for example except individual subdirectories from a directory tree or the document Unimportant.doc from all .doc files.

Important:
You have to make at least 1 specification each for inclusive, like *.* for the files.

Directories and files can be added to or deleted from your selection by the green and red arrows. The directory is always taken from the topmost field, a file only if none is highlighted in the list. Alternatively you can move list entries by Drag and Drop, that is with the mouse - but only the current directory in the case of the directory list.

You can type the desired directory into the topmost field. The little X button to its right resets the entry to C:\. Enter your directory and press Update display. If the directory is not accessible, for example because a disk is not inserted or you are not logged into the network C:\ will be displayed. You can type the desired filename into the topmost field. The little X button to its right resets the entry to *.. Enter your file and press Update display.

Windows 95, in contrast to former versions, can handle masks like *ABC*.* properly - it will find all files whose name contains ABC.

The two buttons for All subdirectories decide whether directories are used with or without all their subdirectories. A small * behind their names indicates all these subdirectories.  With the left button you make the decision for all subsequently selected directories, with the right button you toggle already selected directories.

Hint for users of earlier versions of Backer: If you have used exclusive directories, you now must specify the root directory of the drive including all subdirectories at inclusive, for example C:\*, to get the same function. If you have used exclusive files, you now must specify *.* at inclusive to get the same function.


Destination

Select the destination, that is the directory tree the Source is compared to. The destination can be on another drive. Check out Paths to avoid mistakes.

The destination can be a special directory C:\Archive\ or C:\Backup\, or a disk A:\ or a Zip drive D:\, or a drive or directory on another network computer  or a Direct Cable Connection.

The selection window shows only existing directories. To select a not yet existing directory or a presently unavailable drive (disk not inserted in drive, net drive not accessible) you can enter it into the topmost field by hand.

Hints

A not yet existing destination is only created if you have selected Create directories as needed.

If you chose a destination earlier that is not available when opening this dialog it cannot be displayed and will be replaced by one that is available. Your old setting is not lost, though. Simply leave the dialog by Cancel. The decisive entry is always the one displayed in Backer's main window.

Vary

You can vary the destination automatically, that is create subdirectories beneath the specified destination by certain criterions. Such variations make sense only for backups, not for synchronizing two computers or drives. The varying subdirectory is not displayed in Backer's main window, but only the destination specified here with a hint.

With Daily the current date is used. If you for example have the destination E:\Archive\, then on July 4th 1996 a directory E:\Archive\A070496\ would be created. This makes sense for building an archive of old versions. Except on the same day such a subdirectory can never be overwritten.
Daily is also of general use to give an archive a date tag.

Weekday creates subdirectories Sunday, Monday etc. After a week old files are overwritten.

Even/Odd uses the subdirectory Even on even calendar days and Odd on odd ones.

3 Generations first creates a subdirectory Grandson. Before the next update this is renamed to Son and a new Grandson is created. With the update after that theSon becomes the Father, the Grandson again becomes the Son, and a new Grandson appears.
And then? Then the Father is 'reborn' as Grandson and used for updating. Again, the Son becomes the Father, and the Grandson becomes the Son.
This way you always have three generations of your archive with no gaps in the sequence, namely Father, Son and Grandson. A particular file can appear in up to three different versions. If it has not been altered in between, however, it appears three times in the same version.
During an update a temporary directory Grandfather is created.


Options

Backer achieves its power by the many options that are divided in 10 groups:

•	Confirm

•	Sort

•	Paths

•	Attributes

•	Touch

•	Age

•	Orphans

•	Warnings

•	Automation

•	More Options

You can store your favorite options and reload them when needed. When you create a new workfile in memory with New the stored options are uses also.


Confirm

Determines if you want to confirm the files to be updated not at all, individually before each copy process, or all together in an Overview list.

•	No is useful for unattended updates in conjunction with the Automation.

•	Individually is useful for updates where you want to avoid careless mistakes. Do not use this setting with large data volumes.

•	Overview is useful to first check all file pairs before anything is copied or erased.

Individually has one disadvantage: Files to be erased are not processed beforehand to make room on the data carrier. Possibly it is full although in the end space would have been sufficient. In those cases skip large files and have others erased first. Then update again to process the skipped files.


Sort

Determines how Backer sorts the files to be updatedand thus the order in which they are processed. You should be familiar with the terms Path and Type.

If you have selected No confirmation or Overview Backer deviates from the sort order: Files to be erased are processed beforehand to make room on the data carrier.


Paths

You should be familiar with the term Path. These paths you can...

•	Drop if the precise location of a file is not important, or if you want to collect files spread over a directory tree in a common directory.

•	Keep if you want to update two directory trees whose paths on different drives match exactly, or if you want to keep the complete paths in a backup.

•	Shorten if you want to update two directory trees where the paths match only in the back part, or if you want to shorten out the constant parts of the paths in a backup.

Examples

•	You want to save the directories C:\Text\Office\ and C:\Text\Private\ into the Destination A:\.
If you select Drop, the files will be copied to A:\. Make sure that no filename occurs twice because the second file would overwrite the first.
If you select Keep, the files will be copied to A:\Text\Office\ and A:\Text\Private\.
If you select Shorten, the files will be copied to A:\Office\ and A:\Private\ because the directory Text\ that is contained in both paths is dropped.

•	You want to synchronize C:\Data\ and E:\Data\. If you select the destination E:\Data\ and keep the directories, you will compare to E:\Data\Data\ - obviously not what you wanted. The destination has to be E:\, or you must shorten the directories so that Data\ is dropped.

•	You want to synchronize C:\Data\ and E:\Smith\Data\. If you select the destination E:\Smith\ and keep the directories, you will compare to E:\Smith\Data\ - exactly what you wanted. If you shorten the directories Data\ will be dropped and the destination has to be E:\Smith\Data\. This is how the Quick setup does it.

•	It looks different if you want to synchronize two directories C:\Data\ and C:\Text\ with the drive E:. Since there is nothing to shorten in these directories Shorten will lead to the same result as Keep. In the two previous examples the destination can then only be E:\ and E:\Smith\ respectively.

Hints

If you select Drop, Touch: Destination and source / Source only are not allowed because the corresponding directories cannot be determined.

If you are not sure which result Shorten will yield simply check with the help of the Overview list whether you get what you wanted.

To create directories that not yet exist and to delete directories that are empty the respective settings must be active.


Attributes

Determines the so-called attributes of files that are to be processed in addition to normal files. Attributes can be viewed in the Explorer by highlighting the file(s) and pressing Alt+Return. Hidden and System are true for many files that Windows 95 needs under any circumstances and therefore wants to protect against accidental deletion. Read-only usually is set by the user for files that he/she wants to protect against accidental deletion. Unfortunately, all files copied directly from CD-ROM are marked read-only also.

Hidden and System are normally not found but can be overwritten. Read-only, on the other hand, is always found but cannot be overwritten. This distinction is not made by Backer but by Windows 95. It may be puzzling at first; however, because of the respective meaning of the attributes, it is plausible.

The source file's attributes are always transferred to the destination file after copying. Thus attributes help you to...

•	Exactly synchronize those directories also that contain hidden or system files, for example the root directory C:\;

•	Overwrite read-only files also without error messages - of course, this bears a certain danger that you should be aware of.

An application for the attributes is shown in Example 6.


Touch

Determines the direction in which the update is carried out. You can determine precisely whether a data carrier or directory tree may be changed during an update or not. You can override this limit in the Overview list or the Confirmation, though.

Touching means writing or erasing a file in Source or Destination, since this alters the data carrier. For synchronizing two computers or directories Destination and source is the right choice because both are equivalent. If you have backups on floppy disks containing files that are not used any more you will probably want to prevent them from being copied back to hard disk and select Destination only. Source only is useful for restoring files from a backup.
Note that source and destination never switch sides: If you made disk A: the destination, it is always be called the destination even if the actual copy direction goes from destination to source.

For easier understanding the three settings can be expressed like this:

•	Destination only = from source to destination, forwards

•	Destination and source = in beide Richtungen

•	Source only = from destination to source, backwards

The metaphor of 'touching' is used in Backer because it expresses precisely what happens during an update. This knowledge becomes important in conjunction with the Orphans.

If you have the paths dropped Destination and source as well as Source only will not work because the corresponding directories cannot be determined.


Orphans

Orphans are the most powerful and most complicated feature of Backer. You should have a thorough understanding of them before you put any setting to Erase, especially if you have switched off the Confirmation.

Orphans are files that exist either in the Source or in the Destination, but not in both. Depending on the application you want to copy orphans to the opposite side, ignore them or erase them. The possibilities depend on the setting for Touch.

Understanding orphans

Orphans are easiest to understand if destination and source are to be touched. Both sides are equivalent and you can...

•	Copy orphans to bring both sides to the union of the data sets. All files in source OR destination OR both (that is all files) are updated. Files missing on one side are added there. After updating there are no more orphans and both sides have identical data sets.

•	Erase orphans to bring both sides to the intersection of the data sets. Only files in source AND destination (that is all non-orphans) are updated. Orphans are erased. After updating there are no more orphans and both sides have identical data sets.

•	Ignore orphans. Only files in source AND destination (that is all non-orphans) are updated, but orphans are not erased. After updating there are still orphans, and both sides have different data sets.

Hint for users of earlier versions of Backer: Ignore orphans corresponds to the old option Existing files only.

The same applies in principle for the other touch modes. The more complex setting is necessary since only one side may be altered.

Archives and backups with orphans

Decide whether you want to have any file created so far in your archive / backup or only those still being in use, that is still existing in the source. Select Touch: Destination only and set the orphans in the source to Copy (those are the files that are missing in the archive / backup and need to be added). Depending on your decision set the orphans in the destination to Ignore or Erase (those are the files that are still in the archive / backup but have already been erased in the source).

Synchronizing with orphans

When synchronizing two computers source and destination are not always equivalent. If you never work on both computers at the same time and always synchronize when changing, the computer used last is more important: You may have erased files there that you do not need anymore. But they still exist on the other computer - as orphans. These circumstances are typical for people who own both a notebook and a desktop computer.

If you set Touch to Destination only or Source only, respectively, depending on the desired direction or the update, and have the orphans erased for both settings, you do not need to take care of cleaning up any more. A practical example: You connect notebook and desktop via the Direct Cable Connection. The notebook is the guest. Backer is running on the notebook. Source is a directory tree on the notebook, destination the corresponding directory tree on the desktop. The orphans are treated as follows: Touch destination only: source copy, destination erase; Touch source only: destination copy, source erase. You have last worked on the desktop. Now you want to go on a trip with the notebook. Set Touch to Source only. Start updating. Old files on the notebook (the source) are erased. After returning to your desk let Backer run on the notebook again. Set Touch to Destination only. Start updating. Old files on the desktop (the destination) are deleted. Etc. If you have understood this example thoroughly - and only then - you have found your perfect synchronizing system.

Warning!
Orphans are by nature files that exist only once (and afterwards not at all anymore). So think twice if you want to use this option, especially if you have selected Touch: Destination and source: Deleting orphans is pointless and dangerous if you want to make a backup to a yet empty data medium because then all files in the source are orphans! Renaming single files or directories will also generate orphans. You are always on the safe side if you have set the Confirmation to Individually or Overview.


Age

Backer knows three different age filters: relative, absolute and automatic.

•	Not more than x days old is a relative limit. The date changes with every new day. This setting is useful for daily or weekly backups where only the changes during that period are caught. The present day is counted as 0.

•	Since... is an absolute limit. The date does not change with every new day. This setting is useful for complete backups of projects that were started on a certain day.

•	Since the last update catches all changes since the beginning of the last update with this workfile. Only the name, not the path of the workfile is considered. The date of the last update is recorded in the file Backer32.ini in the Windows directory. This method can therefore only work if you always use it from the same Windows installation. In networks this is not always the case.

An age filter can confine large data volumes or except old files from updating that are not interesting any more. The examples 2, 3 and 5 show applications.


Warnings

Backer issues warnings as required during an update. Some of them you may find unnecessary, others you may want to emphasize with a warnings sound. You should never switch of the Interruption on error as long as you want to control the program yourself.

For an automatic update without human intervention all messages must be switched off. You can reconstruct the action later from the Log.


Automation

The settings for the automation help you to run unattended updates. You can reconstruct the action later from the Log. Caution: Automatic display of the log blocks Backer until the user stops the display. Selected functions are displayed in the status line of Backer's main window. Automatic starting is only effective if you open a workfile by means of the command line.

Hint for users of earlier versions of Backer: You made these settings in the command line formerly.


More options

Create directories as needed:

Enable this setting to create directories that do not yet exist. If you do not you will get an Interruption if a necessary directory does not exist (this pertains to subdirectories for varying destinations, too). This setting should only be off in special cases where an existing directory structure must not be expanded.

Delete empty directories:

This setting allows you to exactly match two directory trees. Only directories within Backer's range are considered: those selected in the Source and the corresponding ones from the Destination down. This setting is very useful in conjunction with erasing Orphans.

Check sizes:

The size check issues a warning if the size difference between the two file versions is larger than the factor selected here, or if the two file versions have different sizes in spite of identical date. This way you sometimes can stop damaged files before they spread. In the Overview list critical file pairs appear with a yellow icon, in the Individual confirmation with a hint.


Log

The log is a report of Backer's activities in text file format. The report's appearance can be customized here. The settings can be made individually for each workfile.

Under Date and time you define how the moment a file was copied is noted. Do not mistake this moment for the date and time a file was created. The new log can be appended to an old one or overwrite it. If no old log file exists both will yield the same result. Instead of automatically showing the log after each update you can also call it manually when needed.

The log file should always be excepted from updating since it is written to in the meantime. Put it out of the Source, or add it to the exclusive files.

Hint for users of earlier versions of Backer: The settings for the log are now saved within the workfile.


Overview

If you have selected the Overview list for Confirmation you can set its initial appearance here, as well as the block colors used for emphasizing file groups. The settings can be made individually for each workfile.


Top Twelve

You can put workfiles that you use frequently on the Top Twelve list and add a description to them. This description is displayed in the file menu so that you open a workfile and start updating with one command. Instead of the file menu you can also use the keys F1 through F12. If you press Shift in addition, you only open the workfile but do not start it.

A description can be up to 60 characters long and contain any character. You may specify a non-existing filename, since it will only be checked when opened later. A list entry without filename will not appear in the file menu but is stored nevertheless. The Top Twelve are stored in the file Backer32.ini in the Windows directory.

In case you expect a help function on F1, as most other Windows programs do offer, better leave this key empty.


Batch file

A batch file is a group of workfiles to be processed one after the other. Since this is usually done unattendedly Confirmation should be set to No in each workfile. The individual settings for Warnings and Automation are overwritten by the batch file's settings. Automatic starting is only effective if you open a batch file by means of the command line. You can reconstruct the action later from the Log. Caution: Automatic display of the log blocks Backer until the user stops the display.


Update

Starts updating. For faster operation, this command may also be issued with the Return key.

Preparations:

You should have selected the Source directories and files, the Destination and your Options.

Checks:

Backer checks...

•	whether your configuration is complete,

•	whether source and destination are not identical,

•	whether source and destination drive are accessible,

•	the free space on source and destination. Actual space consumption is always slightly greater than calculated because Windows 95 cannot occupy single bytes and has to fill up files with zeros until a cluster boundary is reached.

Warnings can be suppressed to not disturb an unattended run and appear in the Log.

Information window:

While searching for and erasing directories and files Backer displays an information window.

Confirmation:

After the search you see, depending on your selection of the Confirmation, an Overview list, Individual confirmation or nothing at all.

Copy window:

During the copy process you see a window with the file pair currently processed.

Interruption:

After the search you see, depending on your selection of the Confirmation, an Overview list, Individual confirmation or nothing at all. Interruptions can be suppressed to not disturb an unattended run and appear in the Log.


Overview list

The overview list shows all directories and files found on updating collected - provided that you have selected the appropriate Option. The initial settings can be determined under Overview.

The list uses 'positive' icons (black on white) for files in the direction Source → Destination and 'negative' icons (white on black) for files in the direction Destination → Source. In the upper right corner of the window you see the number of files in the respective direction: first the total count, then the Orphan count. Below that you see the data volume that has to be copied and the free space on source and destination drive after updating. If this is a negative number space will not be sufficient for updating.

Folders put all files into a group that have the same value at Sorting. They are not tantamount to directories. In the one-line or three-line representation a group is recognizable by a uniform Background color.

Changes to the list

Folders and files can be...

•	Normal, that is they are copied;

•	Ignored, that is skipped;

•	Erased (before copying the other files to make room on the drives);

•	Inverted; meaning that you change the original copy direction (not possible for Orphans);

•	Viewed if you are unsure about the contents of the file(s).

By these changes you can infringe on the setting under Touch. If you change a complete folder all files contained therein will be changed as well. If you change individual files in the folder later, its icon will not change.

Double click

By a double click on a folder or a file you cycle through the sequence Normal → Ignore → Erase → Invert (if available) → Normal etc.

Via the right mouse button plus double click on a folder or a file you cycle through the sequence Folders → 1 line → 3 lines → Folders etc. The position in the list is remembered.

Meaning of the buttons and icons

Display as folders

Display as 1 line

Display as 3 lines

Sort by path

Sort by name

Sort by type

Sort by size

Sort by date and time

Sort in descending order

Sort in ascending order

Filter for size check on/off

Filter for double modification on/off

Normal folder

Ignore folder

Erase folder

Normal file	(Source → Destination)

Ignore file	(Source → Destination)

Erase file	(Source → Destination)

Invert file	(Source → Destination)

Normal file	(Destination → Source)

Ignore file	(Destination → Source)

Erase file	(Destination → Source)

Invert file	(Destination → Source)

Warning: Check sizes

Warning: Double modification

1 folder backwards

1 folder forwards


Confirmation

This window will appear for every file if you have selected the Individual confirmation. Files can be...

•	Normal, that is they are copied;

•	Ignored, that is skipped;

•	Erased (before copying the other files to make room on the drives);

•	Inverted; meaning that you change the original copy direction (not possible for Orphans);

•	Viewed if you are unsure about the contents of the file(s).

Besides you can...

•	Skip all files in the present folder and move on to the next (Folders put all files into a group that have the same value at Sorting. They are not tantamount to directories.);

•	Give an overall confirmation for all files following  - useful if if you only want to check part of the update.


Interruption

This window will appear if copying a file during an update gets interrupted - either by you or by a read or write error. The reason for the interruption is displayed. You can...

•	Retry after you have eliminated the cause;

•	Skip this file and move on to the next;

•	Skip all files in the present folder and move on to the next (Folders put all files into a group that have the same value at Sorting. They are not tantamount to directories.);

•	Erase this file / these files.

The remedy

•	"Lower directory must be created first.": Switch on Create directories as needed.

•	"Lower file is write-protected.": Switch on Read-only (Write protected).

•	"Medium is write protected.": Remove the write protection.

•	"Lower drive is full.": Check if this is a case for Multiple disks in a backup.


Recently opened workfiles

Backer remembers the last 6 workfiles and batch files that were open via menu item Open or saved via menu item Save as.... These are listed in the file menu and can be reopened with the keys 1 ... 6. In contrast to the Top Twelve they are not started after opening.


Accelerators
Accelerator keys

Backer knows the following accelerator keys to operate the menu items:

Ctrl+N	File | New

Ctrl+O	File | Open

Ctrl+S	File | Save

Ctrl+A	File | Save As

Alt+F4	File | Exit

Ctrl+V	File | View log

F1...F12	Open and run Top Twelve

Shift+F1 ... Shift+F12	Open Top Twelve

1...6	Open old workfile

Alt+Q	Configuration | Quick setup

Alt+S	Configuration | Source

Alt+D	Configuration | Destination

Alt+O	Configuration | Options

Alt+L	Configuration | Log

Alt+V	Configuration | Overview

Alt+T	Configuration | Top Twelve

Alt+B	Configuration | Batch file

Return	Update

All accelerator keys except Return are displayed in the menus. You do not have to learn them by heart.


Drag and Drop

Drag and Drop is a Windows mechanism to for example take files easily from A to B with the mouse. A vivid example is the Explorer that allows you to copy and move directories and files this way. Or think of the Recycle Bin in Windows 95.

Not everything that can be dragged can also be dropped over Backer - watch the symbol of the mouse pointer - but only directories and files. This serves as a short cut for the menu item Source.

The procedure is as follows:

•	If it is a directory, it will be added to the inclusive directories. If you have pressed Shift it will be added to the exclusive directories instead. If you have pressed Ctrl  in addition the symbol * for all subdirectories will be added.

•	If it is a file, it will be added to the inclusive files. If you have pressed Shift it will be added to the exclusive files instead.

Drag and Drop also works within the forms for Source and Batch files.


The Direct Cable Connection

The Direct Cable Connection of Windows 95 helps in the simple and inexpensive data transfer between two computers. All you need is so-called null modem cable. Choose a parallel one, it is considerably faster than a serial one. It costs about US$ 10. Tell the retailer explicitly that you want a connection cable, not a printer cable. Another possibility is Infrared (IR).

You must determine one computer as the host and the other as the guest. If you want to connect a notebook to a desktop the notebook should be the guest, because the desktop usually has more resources (for example CD-ROM) to offer. Basically the assignment of roles is arbitrary, however.

Backer must run on the guest. Do not forget to share the host's drives and directories so that the guest may use them. You do this in the Explorer by right-clicking on the respective icons and choosing Share....

For additional information see the Windows 95 online help, keyword "Direct Cable Connection".


Shareware

This computer software and its accompanying documentation are Shareware. The only difference between evaluation and licensed version is a reminder screen on program start and disabling of keys F3 to F12.

What does "Shareware" mean?

The Shareware principle states that you may test the product for a limited time or to a limited extent freely, when exceeding these limits, however, either remove the product completely from your system or convert it into the full version by ordering, then being subject to the usual copyright rules without the limitations mentioned. In the case of Backer the limitation is that you must not use the evaluation version for more than 30 days. Remember: Trust is the foundation of the Shareware principle!

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the programmer's overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee: If you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights. Shareware is not free software! Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality - in both cases, there are good ones and bad ones. The main difference is in the method of distribution.

Giving Backer to others

Shareware comes, as the name implies, with the programmer's express wish that you pass on the evaluation version - and only the evaluation version! - to others. Please do this in exactly the same form you received it yourself, that is complete. After all, the programmer wants the product to arrive at a potential customer as planned, and not without parts of the documentation.

Legal information

All users of the evaluation version of Backer are granted a limited license to copy the product only for the trial use by themselves or others, provided that Backer is copied in its full and unmodified form. The copy must include all files necessary to permit full operation of the program. It must also include this documentation. Use of evaluation copies of Backer by any person in connection with a business, corporation, educational institution, or government agency is forbidden. By using the evaluation version of Backer you acknowledge that you have read and understood this limited license and agree to be bound by its terms and conditions. The licensed version must not be distributed.


Legal information

Beside defining the user rights for your evaluation version of Backer the following information is necessary:

The author of Backer is Bernd Cordes, Wees, Germany. He owns the unlimited copyright. You are granted permission to use program and documentation on one computer at the same time.
© 1995-1996 for program and documentation: Bernd Cordes.

LIMITED WARRANTY:
THIS PRODUCT IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR ENDORSEMENTS REGARDING THE USE OF, THE RESULTS OF, OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS APPROPRIATENESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR CORRECTNESS. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT IS ASSUMED BY THE USER. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT ASSUME LIABILITY FOR THE USE OF THIS PROGRAM BEYOND THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF THE SOFTWARE. IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ADDITIONAL DIRECT OR INDIRECT DAMAGES INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS, OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECTS, OR THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PROGRAM, EVEN IF THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME US STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR THE LIMIT OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Distribution Policy:
Permission is granted to any individual or business to distribute the evaluation copy of Backer, provided they convey a complete and unaltered copy of the entire package (recompression and decompression is permitted). This permission pertains to any kind of data media including CD-ROMs, online services and BBSes, any form of packaging and bundling, and any distribution fee. The author may revoke any permissions granted here by notification in writing.

MS-DOS, Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT and WordPad are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
Zip and Jaz are trademarks or registered trademarks of Iomega Corp.
All other copyrights, trademarks and registered trademarks are acknowledged as the sole property of their respective owners.


How to order

This computer software and its accompanying documentation are Shareware. If you use Backer for more than 30 days you must obuy a license. You will receive at no cost a license number  to convert your evaluation version into the licensed version. This will remove the reminder screen on program start and enable keys F3 to F12. Your licensed version may be used without restrictions other than those resulting from copyright laws.

There are 3 ways to register:

•	Directly with the developer by sending in the Order form,

•	Via CompuServe by entering GO SWREG and selecting number 4310.

•	Via the PsL:
CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY - You can order with MC, Visa, Amex, or Discover from Public (software) Library by calling 800-2424-PsL or 713-524-6394 or by FAX to 713-524-6398 or by CIS Email to 71355,470. You can also mail credit card orders to PsL at P.O.Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705. Mention program #14442 to identify this program.
THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY. THE AUTHOR OF THIS PROGRAM CANNOT BE REACHED AT THESE NUMBERS.
Any questions about the status of the shipment of the order, refunds, registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, non-credit card orders, etc, must be directed to the developer of this program.
To insure that you get the latest version, PsL will notify the author the day of your order and the author will transmit the license number directly to you via the fastest way possible. If available, please leave your electronic contact information (e-mail, fax) with the PsL when ordering.


Order form
Please print, fill in and mail or fax. You can also copy the content with the mouse, copy it and paste it into your word processor or e-mail client.

Bernd Cordes
Am Pahl 3c
D-24999 Wees
Germany
Phone / Fax +49 (4631) 622590

Name:	_________________________	Company:	_________________________

City:	_________________________	Zip code:	_________________________

Street:	_________________________	Country:	_________________________

Phone:	_________________________	Fax:	_________________________

E-Mail:	___________________________________________________________________

I order:

________	licenses Backer 3.0

Credit card, check:	DM 49.95 each	DM  _____________ total

All others:	US$ 29.95 each	US$ _____________ total

Site licenses available; please inquire.
Prices include shipping & handling. Credit card or check users, please check your current exchange rate for the Deutschmark.

I pay:

O	Cash; money is enclosed

O	MasterCard/Access no _________________________ exp. date _____________

O	Visa card no __________________________________ exp. date _____________

O	Check (drawn on a German bank in DM, payable to Bernd Cordes)

____________________________
Signature

Please take the time to answer the following questions. You help to rid this product of possible bugs and to serve the customers' needs better.

Supplier of Backer 3.0:

O	CD-ROM ___________________________ published by ___________________

O	WWW page, FTP server _____________________________________________

O	America Online ____________________________________________________

O	CompuServe ______________________________________________________

O	MSN ____________________________________________________________

O	Other online service: _______________________________________________

O	Other: ___________________________________________________________

Opinion in school marks:

Usefulness:	A	B	C	D	E

User friendliness:	A	B	C	D	E

Documentation:	A	B	C	D	E

Maturity / crash safety / bugs:	A	B	C	D	E

Suggestions for improvements:

Thank you for your effort!


Where to get the latest version

The latest version of Backer can be found on the Internet at:

          http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/BerndCordes/index.htm

In the fast moving world of the Internet this address may change; in case you cannot find us there anymore, simply send us an e-mail so that we can tell you the new address.


Addresses

Bernd Cordes
Am Pahl 3c
D-24999 Wees
Germany
Phone / Fax +49 - (4631) - 622590

CompuServe: 100334,375
America Online: BeCordes
Internet: 100334.375@compuserve.com
WWW: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/BerndCordes/index.htm


Troubleshooting

A basic hint to begin with

Many problems under Windows are caused by the natural playfulness of the user who thinks the default fonts are boring and the Desktop / Start Menu is uncomfortable. On top of this comes a dozen of supposedly necessary memory managers, drivers, utilites, tool etc. You certainly have the right to set up your computer as you like. Sometimes, however, the actual applications, the purpose your computer was purchased for, do not run flawlessly.

Other programmers are not to be demonised here, and neither does this product claim to be immaculate. Just as little, however, Backer ought to be erased by a frustrated user although the blame is on someone else. Therefore I ask you: In case of problems first set up a 'virgin' Windows 95:

• Boot without drivers, tools and utilities in Config.sys and Autoexec.bat (what Windows 95 needs it loads on its own)

• Display 640 x 480 with 16 colors

• Windows 95's own display driver instead of the graphics adapter's manufacturer's

• Color scheme "Windows standard" with font MS Sans Serif 8

• My Computer or Explorer to start applications

Then give Backer a second chance.

This is a lot asked, but it helps you to detect the real troublemaker in a structure as complex as Windows 95, and it helps you to avoid much, much trouble in the long run.

Some frequently asked questions:

Q: The program cannot be started. A message appears that memory is insufficient, that the program is invalid or corrupt, or that a device connected to the computer does not work.
A: Some so-called shells (replacements for Desktop, Start Menu and Explorer) cause this error, including renowned products. Use the original Windows 95 Desktop, Start Menu or Explorer, then you will see that Backer is not guilty. Especially the latter message means a general error of unknown kind - please do not start checking the plugs in the back of your computer!

Q: When I try to start Backer32.exe a message that a file was not found appears.
A: The required file Backer32.dll  is missing. See installation for details.

Q: Some files are found twice.
A: You have specified file masks that include one and the same file twice. For example with *.* and *.txt every file with the extension .txt is found twice. Though two identical specifications are not allowed, Backer cannot detect such redundancies.

Q: Those many settings puzzle me. Backer simply does not do what it is supposed to.
A: A program as powerful as this requires some time to get used to. In the beginning, set yourself simple tasks and get them done solely with the Quick setup.

Q: Text in the various windows does not fit properly, overlaps or is clipped at the end.
A: You have selected an inappropriate system font for Windows 95. This affects all other programs, too. A typical cause are display drivers that suggest a large system font with high resolutions like 1024x768 although it is completely unappropriate. Choose a small font instead.

Q: On my 640 x 480 notebook some windows are larger than the whole screen.
A: See previous question. The size of a window is affected by the size of the system font. Backer has been tested on a standard notebook, too.

Q: The progress bar runs irregularly - first quickly, then almost creepingly.
A: You use a cache. This means data are not written to the data medium immediately but temporarily only to memory - which is fast. In a system breather the real writing takes place. Programs cannot detect a cache because the operating system's feedback is identical with or without cache - that is the punch line. You can watch this effect under Windows 95 when deleting a large directory tree: After the message window has disappeared the Explorer still does not accept input for some seconds, since it is occupied with the actual deleting. Big disadvantage of a cache: If in such cases you switch off your computer too early the write process will not be finished yet and you might lose data!

Q: With 3 Generations sometimes a Grandfather appears, but the Father, Son or Grandson is missing.
A: It is the cache's fault - see previous answer. A cache has a certain strategy in which order it actually writes to the data medium. If the strategy is bad, the grandfather that appears shortly while renaming the generations will not be removed in time before the copy process starts. This is typical for removable media drives - use your internal hard disk for comparison, and the problem will disappear, although the hard disk uses a cache, too. There is not much you can do here, because you certainly do not want to sacrifice the cache. Comfort: This problem will heal itself the next time renaming works - no 'dead bodies' will remain.


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No source directories or files specified.

Under Source or Quick setup entries for directories and/or files are missing. You have to specify at least 1 entry each at Inclusive. If for example you want to include all files, you must enter *.* as inclusive file.

This message can be suppressed for Workfiles and Batch files. It comes under Others.


Source and destination are identical.

Source and Destination are the same directory tree. There is not point in updating.

This message can be suppressed for Workfiles and Batch files. It comes under Others.


Drive not found.

Source or Destination drive because a disk is not inserted, you are not logged into the network or the drive does not exist physically.

This message can be suppressed for Workfiles and Batch files. It comes under Others.


It is shortly after midnight.

You have set an Age limit of 0 days. This implies that you want to do a backup of your day's work. Since the next days has already begun you would not catch all files of your working day. This check is done until 2 in the morning. Time to go to bed!

This message can be suppressed for Workfiles and Batch files. It comes under Others.


No files found.

Updating has yielded that all files to be processed are up-to-date. If this is not the expected result, check Source, Destination and Options.

This message can be suppressed for Workfiles and Batch files.


Drive lacks storage space.

Source or Destination drive will not be sufficient to take all files. Depending on the circumstances inserting a new data carrier may help or not. The best solution is a reduction of the data volume (see Multiple disks in a backup). Check whether files can be ignored or erased (see Individual confirmation, Overview list).

This message can be suppressed for Workfiles and Batch files.


The word processor specified was not found.

To view the log you have specified a word processor earlier that is not accessible any more because you are not logged into the network or have renamed or moved the application. Search for it again with the small yellow button.