I've used ChronoSync, and it lacks BackupList+'s handy menubar icon. That said, BackupList+'s GUI is superior to plenty of paid backup apps (looking at you, Sync Folders Pro). Good GUIs require a lot of time, and if the developer isn't getting paid for that time, expect only a "good enough" GUI. I don't believe I've tried any backup apps costing less than $40 with GUIs that are intuitive.
Yes, this FREE app has detailed documentation via Apple's Help viewer! Also consider that GUIs for backup apps are notoriously difficult to create, given the difficulty of prioritizing what are all equally critical options.
The GUI could use some work, but a few minutes in BackupList+ Help clarifies everything. Simple and easy, and the menubar icon serves not only as a shortcut but as a reminder to backup. I use BackupList+ to manually run backup sets from the menubar after working in Lightroom or making changes to my iTunes or Calibre libraries. After beta testing software for more than 25 years, I’m positive most of you will be very unhappy if you ignore it.Great free backup app! The feature set is robust compared to other synchronization apps, even many paid apps.
You can use Time Machine or any other backup software, but make a backup or two before you install the beta.
Back up your Mac and then back it up again, just in case.That way, if something goes wrong, you just disconnect the beta drive and reboot from your usual startup disk. You don’t really need two Macs, but you do need a second hard drive. Apple recommends installing pre-release versions of OS X Yosemite on a secondary Mac, "since it may contain errors or inaccuracies." Personally, I think that’s overkill. Do not - under any circumstances - install a beta on your main hard drive.Once you’ve installed a beta, it’s not terribly difficult to reinstall the previous release, but it’s time-consuming, a hassle, and there’s always the risk of data loss. Do not - under any circumstances - install a beta version of OS X on a Mac you depend on for getting things done.For those of you who feel obliged to try Photos, which requires the installation of OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 beta, here are some tips for survival: Do you really want to install a buggy operating system on your main Mac?
You see, the primary reason for beta testing is to uncover bugs and fix them before the product ships. Please DO NOT install a beta OS before you read this column!įor most users, that’s the best advice I can offer. It sounds tempting but my advice is: Don’t do it.įor heaven's sake. Interest in the new Photos app is high and Apple recently opened up beta testing of version 10.10.3 to the public, so anyone with an Apple ID can join the fun () and install the pre-release beta and the new Photos app.
While anecdotal evidence tells me that the current version of Mac OS X Yosemite (v10.10.2) is working pretty well for most users, Apple is already hard at work on the next update (v10.10.3), which includes a new photo manager and editor called Photos that replaces iPhoto.