Sunday, January 11, 2009

Lack of good backup programs

I have been trying various backup programs to protect myself in case of a hard drive failure (and with RAID 0, it's twice as likely). I have tried the built in Windows Vista backup, Acronis True Image, and FileBack PC. None of them really seem to meet my needs. I know there is a proliferation of backup programs, but why do none of them work for me?

The requirements I have are the following:
  • If image based, then it can deal with files moving around from defragmentation
  • Makes an image of at least the system drive.
  • Versions the files in an appropriate manner
  • Tracks deletes, but doesn't remove file from backup for a specified period of time (like a month)
  • Can handle all the advanced things in an NTFS file system like sparse files, hard links, soft links, etc.
  • Compression really can slow down a backup; Uses smart compression and only compresses items that will compress. Perhaps a way to track the past compressibility of extensions and let the user select which files are not to be compressed.
  • Allows folders and file types to be excluded from both the image and the file base backup.
  • Can be scheduled through the Windows scheduler
  • File history can be compared using a diff tool
  • Images can be mounted or at least explored
I've used the backup program in Windows 7 Beta, and it's close except it takes too much time. It took 4 and a half days to backup my computer, way too long. Also, what are users of other versions of Windows to use?

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Will enterprise care about Windows 7?

I don't see why enterprises should move to Windows 7. Most of the features are geared for the home. Maybe the only thing for companies will be Window XP Pro not being sold anymore. Maybe companies should just start pirating it, especially if the fines for that sort of activity are lower than the rising cost of ownership for a new Windows versions.

Microsoft is loosing focus on who really buys computers, the enterprise. Home users are important as well, but not at the cost of the bread and butter for this operating system.

Windows 7 out, no different than leaked version

Well, Windows 7 is out now, and it's the same version that was leaked several weeks ago.

I started writing down problems with it since I installed it. I now have 3 pages of problems written, and I haven't even gotten anything installed. I had really hoped that it would have been more fleshed out, especially with the current build out there for a few weeks for people to test and give feedback on.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Things I hope Windows 7 fixes

I decided to make a list of quirks that I have experienced in Microsoft's Windows Vista (Ultimate) and will check too see if they are fixed in the next version of windows; Windows 7.

Windows Media Center (When connected through a Windows Media Extender and to my TV)
  • Programs that decide to show a window at startup (logon) flash a window over the media extender window.
  • When the computer needs to be restarted for an update, a notification keeps flashing on my TV.
  • There is no on screen keyboard for those forms that web pages like to have
  • There is no virtual mouse for the remote to navigate those web page interfaces.
Networking
  • When I have VMware installed with the virtual network drivers enabled, Windows Vista likes to block me from my own network. It clams that the (unconnected) virtual network cards are Public. If I change this to Private, then they are reset at least every time the computer is resumed if not more often. As long as a single network card is Public, I can't browse the computers, shares, and networked printers on my home network. At least enable this but block the public networks.
  • There is no option to change the name of a network. I am using Hamachi and it can't detect a name, so let me name it.
Backup
  • The backup files functionality only allows for some files, not .exe's and other files that I want backed up because that is how I downloaded them. Common example is installers.
  • It's not clear if the image based backup allows for deframmenting. I don't know of any other image based backup program that can account for files having been defragmented. Windows Vista automatically defragments files, so any image backup program should take this into account. I've usedAcronis True Image Home till now, but can't do differential backups because of the size.
If one of the goals of Windows 7 is to upgrade enterprise computers from Windows XP Pro, it seems odd that the Windows 7 beta installer does not allow for upgrading from Windows XP.

On my laptop, Windows Vista will sometimes freeze for about 50 seconds after logging in upon resuming from sleep. I log in with a finger, so even then I have to wait for it to be done freezing and the wait curser goes away before I can swipe my finger and it is recognized.

Automatic login of notebook computers based on location. Use secured WiFi that are "Home" to verify the cumputer is at home, otherwise prompt for a password upon resuming.

Windows 7 LightScribe DVD Label Image




I have a LightScribe DVD drive, I am also waiting for Stargate Atlantis to record, so I thought I would create a image to burn to the label side of my DVD for when Windows 7 comes.

What I came up with looks like this:



I used Paint.NET for the creation, but I have found definite limitations in the way it handles text. Anyways, to use this for your own LightScribe DVD, open the LightScribe Template Labeler, use the blank template, and then import the PNG below into the program as a graphic, then burn. For best results, click through on the image below for the full size image, then save to your computer.