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WINDOWS
There are a variety of free backup tools available for Windows PC users, some limited trials and others fully-featured, stand-alone utilities.

EZBack-it-up is a free backup utility that runs on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, and XP.
It is an intuitive, simple piece of software that copies files (preserving the directory/folder structure) without compressing them into archives, and you can set it up to run on a schedule. Once the initial backup is complete, it just compares files to see which were changed and only backs those up, saving a lot of time over some other applications.

Cobian Backup is a free backup application that has several versions, and thus runs on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista.
It is a self-described "scheduler for security copies", and it copies your data (with the option to compress it) to the destination of your choice. You can set it to run in the background or on a schedule. FTP backup (both upload and download) is also supported.

SyncBack Freeware is a less advanced version of a paid program, but stands alone nevertheless with its basic backup features. It runs on Windows 98, ME, NT4, 2000, 2003, XP, and Vista.
Its features include basic backup and sync options, detailed log files, compression options, FTP, filters to choose what you do or don't want to backup, a comparison window of files, background backing up, and auto-close of programs (for example, closing an email application so that emails will be backed up). Another advantage to this program is the extensive language support for people who feel more comfortable with software in their own language, including French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Portuguese, and even Polish.

MAC OS X
Apple owners don't have to be disappointed by the selection available to them; there are many freeware programs out there for Mac OS X and OS Classic.

Time Machine is perhaps the most frequently mentioned utility for Macs, simply because it is included for free with OS X Leopard.

Carbon Copy Cloner is a powerful shareware' program (the creator asks for a donation if it's useful, but there are no limitations on the program). It runs on Mac versions from 10.2 (pre-Tiger), all the way to 10.5. You can choose what folders to back up, and create bootable backups. Other features include the time-saving feature of it backing up only files that have changed since the last backup, schedule backups, and even an option to backup when a device like a hard drive or iPod is connected (and it'll allow time for the iPod to finish syncing with iTunes!).

iBackup is a more simplistic backup and restore utility that runs on 10.3.9 and later, and allows you to schedule backups and also back up system preferences and application settings.

LINUX

BackupYourSystem is also known as sbackup; it is a simple Linux backup solution. It allows you to backup and compress files and directories, choose a maximum file size limit, save backups to local or remote directories, and it has a GUI interface.

rsync is a well-known program; the link provided points to a way to create snapshot-like backups regularly, but recommended for Linux users with basic Unix knowledge, as it can get complicated fast!

Learn more about this author, Zabrina Way.
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