Backup Buddy is perhaps the greatest piece of
software developed for Palm users. It takes the standard synchronization software one step
further and transforms it into the one critical tool every Palm user needs: total data and
applications backup.
You see, the prepackaged synchronization software that comes with the Palm just backs
up your data, and even that it does somewhat poorly. While you may be able to recover lost
data through standard HotSynch, what happens if you lose your memory and all of your
applications. Reinstalling each and every application, let alone trying to reconstruct
your lost data could take you a long, long time.
Backup Buddy works the way most desktop PC backup software works. In fact, its Windows
interface may even have a familiar look and feel to some people. After installing Backup
Buddy on your PC and Palm, you are presented with the following screen:
After making your decisions about whether your PC or Palm will be
considered the master, you can further configure Backup Buddy to backup all or only some
applications and files:
Backups are invoked the same as with native Palm software. You simply place your Palm
device in its docking cradle and press the HotSynch button. The standard HotSynch screen
appears and begins to synch and transfer the native Palm files for contacts, calendars, to
do tasks, etc. Then Backup Buddy kicks it into gear and begins to backup every application
and its related data, resulting in a total system backup (which does not take much longer
than a regular HotSynch backup). A progress bar (sadly lacking from the native HotSynch
software distributed with the Palm) is displayed as it backups your files and
applications:
When completed, you hear the familiar chimes and you are done. The true beauty of this
tool for corporations is its ability to be used to create and blast images onto a fleet of
Palm devices in much the same way Ghost is used to blast images onto desktops or laptops.
Backup Buddy has saved my ass more than once
when I lost my battery power and another time when I had to reset it and accidentally lost
everything on my Palm. I just reinstalled Backup Buddy and performed a synch, and all of
my data and applications were right back where I left off. It's hard to put a value on
this package, but I'd call it priceless.
