Just a warning. If this application uses a proprietary format for backups, then it means that you'll have to have the application installed in order to access your backups. Since this is a giveaway and you cannot reinstall it, it might be wise to make sure that you can access that data some other way. If you have to, for one reason or another, reinstall your OS, or something of that nature, you may not be able to install this application and will be forced to purchase it, or won't have access to your data.

Just a warning for those who are unaware, because a proprietary format means that it can only be opened by the Ocster. That's why some backup programs will allow you to choose a non-proprietary format such as ISO or ZIP, etc.

Wouldn't like to see anyone lose a huge backup and/or be forced to buy software which they might not otherwise buy.

~Cheers

WellMannered  –  16 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+197)

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The Good
* Straightforward and easy to use.
* Nice, aesthetically pleasing interface.
* Allows users to backup individual files or whole folders.
* Includes handy "shortcuts" for easy backup of common folders, and file extensions.
* Has the ability to easily backup Microsoft Outlook (2003 and higher) emails and calendars.
* Includes an "exclusion" filter which users can use to exclude specific files, folders, or file extensions from being backed up.
* Has an "automatic pausing" feature that automatically pauses/resumes backups based on current computer usage (i.e. if you are doing something on your computer that is resource intensive, the backup will be automatically paused and will be automatically resumed when computer resources are freed up).
* Allows users to restore files/folders selectively.
* Has multiple methods of compressing and encrypting backups.
* Allows users to schedule backups to automatically occur.
* Gives users the ability to keep extensive reports and automatically e-mail the reports.

The Bad
* Uses a proprietary format for the backed up data.
* When restoring backups, password is left in the password field (and appears the next time user runs a restore) unless user manually removes it.
* Lacks different backup methods.
* Aside from Microsoft Outlook, lacks the ability to easily backup third party software related data.
* Automatic backups can only be scheduled for a daily or weekly basis.
* Sending out backup report e-mails requires users to register (for free) with Ocster - no ability to use own e-mail address.

Free Alternatives
GFI Backup
Backup4All Lite
FBackup

For final verdict, recommendations, and full review please click here.

Ashraf  –  16 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+158)

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Ashraf forgot to mention a great free alternative: Cobian Backup 10.
It's a decent backup software 100% stable on both 32 and 64-bit Windows.

http://www.cobiansoft.com/cobianbackup.htm

TheSmokingTeam  –  16 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+60)

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THE BAD
- Imaging a drive with 20Gb used space took over 4h.
Thanks but no thanks.
True Image Home does the same in 6-12minutes.

ToniA  –  16 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+34)

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Ocster still has a lot of issues. For me, these are mostly in line with the speed in which their backups are running. For larger back up schemes, this is simply too slow to utilize, which is one of the same problems I had with their previous versions.

For the users that are worried about being unable to restore their data should their system die, Ocster has always had, at minimum, a free trial in which you can utilize to restore what you had backed up on a secondary device.

Additionally, as Ashraf already cited, having your password remain visible is an issue. In the offhand chance that you forget to remove it, you're leaving all of your data open to a liability that shouldn't even exist.

@ #19 Matt,

Per GFI's website, their Home Free Edition supports the following:

Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional SP2, SP3 (x86 and the x64 versions), all editions of Windows Vista except for Vista Starter (x86 and the x64 versions) and Windows 7 (x32/64 bit)

CyberTech  –  16 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+13)

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