Details for the competition => Software Reviewers Wanted

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Happy blogging!

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It works with the following Operating Systems

• Windows 7
• Windows Vista
• Windows XP

Some of the features of Oops!Backup include

• Search Back in Time – you can search not only for current versions of files, but previous versions of the files as well.
• Use your existing external hard drive – no need for a special drive for backups…any old USB pen drive will suffice.
• Backup to your network or NAS drive – direct your backup to a mapped network drive if available.
• Browse your backed up files directly from Windows Explorer – plug your backup drive into a PC where Oops!Backup is not installed you can still access and restore your backed up files.
• Plug & Protect – when the backup drive is connected to your PC, your files are automatically backed up (synced) with out any need for action.
• ReverseDelta™ – only actual changes to the files are backed up, not the whole file. However, the latest version of the file is always available in it’s entirety.

Installation was quick and easy which is always a welcome feature.

Here are a number of screen shots from Altaro that explain how the software works.

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Below are some screen captures that I gathered while setting up a backup.

You can backup the entire contents of a drive or just selected folders.

You can restore from a point in time. You know the point in time BEFORE you picked up that virus. If files are accidentally deleted, Oops!Backup’s restore feature allows the reinstatement of those files. Just select the backup set, select the time you want to restore from and Restore All. It is quite an easy interface.

Select where you want the restore to go and click Restore. It is as easy as that.

 Oops!Backup has an abundance of settings to satisfy just about every need. This includes a good built-in scheduling feature.

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In closing, Oops!Backup has proven to be a valuable backup application. I am expecting my new HP Desktop with Windows 7 and will likely be using this software as my backup tool. I really like it’s clean and intuitive interface as well as it’s BackInTime™ Restore feature. The $37 may be slightly steep, but if you have been through a situation where you have lost valuable files, it may be worth it.

Official Site for Oops!Backup

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Additional Information

• Oops!Backup Is A Delightfully Easy Way to Back Up Data
• Altaro Software Releases its Innovative Oops!Backup Product

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Once installed, you will see the following toolbar in SSMS.

I created a couple of quick queries without paying too much attention to formatting.

Here is the same code after using the Pretty Printer SQL Formatter. Nice!

There are also numerous settings for the formatting, which is also very cool.

In closing, if you are like me and have an OCD when it comes to consistently formatted code, you will find this tool useful. The place where it is really useful and time-saving is on REALLY long Stored Procedures. I have had to deal with this lately, so I use this tool daily.

SQL Pretty Printer Add-In for SQL Server Management Studio

Instant SQL Formatter

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Until next time…

Some of the features include:

• Numerous backup storage options
• File/Folder synchronization
• Standard ZIP archives for backups
• Incremental and Differential backups
• Predefined searching filters
• Easy to use Task Scheduler
• Email Notifications
• Detailed backup logs

With all this at your fingertips what else is needed? The price is definitely right for these economic times.

Below, I will step through setting up a simple scheduled backup from one location to another on the same drive.

From the main menu, I select Backup.

Here is where you give the Backup Job a name, description, etc. You can also include your email address and GFI Backup will notify you upon the backup’s completion or if there are errors in the process.

Pick the files/folders you want to backup.

Pick the target location for the backed up files. Notice there are several options here. Very nice!

Here is where you decide if you want compression and/or encryption.  Also, you can select whether you want Incremental or Differential backups.

This is where we set the schedule.  Here I said Weekly on Sunday.

Set the username and password.

Several options are contained on this dialog…I just took the defaults.

At 9:45 AM, Sunday – the job runs and a Summary Notification dialog is displayed.

Below, you can see where my files were backed up.

• From –> C:\1Photowork\DisneyWorld
• To –> C:\Program Files\GFI\GFI Backup 2009 – Home Edition\Backup\Photo-Backup

In closing, GFI Backup Home Edition is a great alternative to the Windows Backup tool as well as some of the apps that you have to pay for. It is easy to install and easy to use. I suggest trying it out for yourself.

GFI Backup Home Edition – Download

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More Information

• GFI Backup is an Easy to Use, Free Backup Solution via Lifehacker
• GFI Backup Home Edition is a Free Data Backup Utility for Windows via The How-To Geek
• Back up conveniently with free GFI application via CNET News
• Free Backup Solution – Home use file backup alternative via SoftPedia
• GFI Backup 2009 Home Edition – a worthy alternative to the Backup and Restore Center via Vista4Beginners

It can be accessed as a Google gadget.

The Code Converter can also be accessed via Telerik website (click image to enlarge).

I find this tool very useful. It makes it much simpler to display code samples in both languages.

Have fun!

Internet Explorer 7: Downloads

Have fun!!!