[PLUG] client-centered backup software that doesn't suck?

[sean finney <seanius@seanius.net>]

hey folks,

i'm setting up a basic ubuntu-based laptop image for internal
distribution at $work.  one of the pre-requisites is that it have some
kind of simple "backup" utility.

i use "backup" rather loosely, as it would be sufficient (ideal, even)
to have something that simply rsync's the user's home directory to a
central server, which has a "real" backup solution in place.  so
basically, just something that gets data off the machine would be
sufficient.  ideally this would be either a GUI-centered, or at least
GUI-monitorable thing, so that the laptop user can verify taht a backup
has successfully run.

i've looked into a couple options, but haven't found anything that
stands out really.  what i've looked at:

- basic rsync via cron (fine, but what if there's a problem?)
- sbackup: supports gnome vfs (cool), but stores user passwords in
  configuration files (not cool).  also must run as r00t.
- simplebackup: the first page in the interface looked nice enough,
  but it doesn't support remote backups.
- unison: has a gtk interface whcih runs in the system tray, but a dead
  upstream project isn't the most comforting thing in the world.
- bacula: it seems they have some client-oriented gui, but i don't have
  a bacula environment setup to test it against.  this doesn't entirely
  rule it out, as we're considering switching to bacula anyway, but
  does make it hard to evaluate.
- multisync: supports syncing PIM data from various apps (cool), but
  only supports PIM data (not cool)
- ?/?

any input would be greatly appreciated.



	sean

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