Excluding files and folders

I just got a question about excluding files, and I thought I'd post the response in case anyone else finds it useful.

You can exclude things using a more complicated Java regular expression in the search function: http://sites.google.com/site/thebackupmonkey/help/searches. Do a search based on a regular expression, and then include the search (which is saved as a location) in your backup by dragging and dropping it in.

Have a look at the comments here for an example: http://thebackupmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/09/using-searches-to-backup-files.html. Note that "^" is both the start of a line (at the start of a regular expression) and a negation (in the character class: http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/essential/regex/char_classes.html).

A simpler exclude option would be a nice feature to add! It's on the (long, growing) TODO list.

Using searches to backup files

Did you know that Bonkey can backup only files which match a search? Should have read the help, shouldn't you?

See the help page on searches for more information.

Bonkey site - with help

Rather than regularly re-post the introduction to Bonkey, I've created a static site to explain Bonkey: http://sites.google.com/site/thebackupmonkey.

That site includes a copy of the help that can be found within Bonkey: http://sites.google.com/site/thebackupmonkey/help

Bonkey on Vista

One of Bonkey's users, Biskits, figured out how to get Bonkey running on Vista and kindly shared the following tips (monkey see, monkey do!):

1. Uninstall Bonkey, restart the machine and download the newest version of Bonkey (see http://thebackupmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/09/update-improved-background-backup.html).
2. Go into the Windows MMC (Microsoft Management Console) > Services, and check that the Bonkey Service is "Automatic" and "Started". If yes, close the MMC and go to Step #4. If not, go to Step # 3.
3. Set the Bonkey Service to "Automatic" and "Start", close the MMC, and re-boot.
4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Program Files\Bonkey\ and locate the following 2 executable files: Bonkey.exe, and wrapper.exe. For each file, Right click, select "Properties" > "Compatibility" > and place a check-mark in "Run as Administrator". Close Explorer.
5. Open Bonkey, and configure your back-ups. When you close the UI, the Service will run effectively according to schedule.

Thanks for the instructions, Biskits! Thanks for being so complicated, Vista!

Update - improved background backup service

I've just posted another update to Bonkey, which is more robust in dealing with different system configurations.

If you've been having trouble with backups by the background service on Windows Vista or Mac OS X, try uninstalling, restarting, downloading the new version and installing it.

Windows: http://s3.amazonaws.com/bonkey/setup.exe

OS X: http://thebackupmonkey.blogspot.com/2008/09/bonkey-on-mac-os-x.html

For specific instructions to get Bonkey working on Windows Vista, see http://thebackupmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/09/bonkey-on-vista.html.

Introducing Bonkey

Bonkey is a simple to use backup system. It can backup to most storage devices, but it is specifically designed to be used with Amazon S3, which provides cheap online storage. You choose which files need to be backed up, select how often, set the destination and voila! your files are backed up. It runs on Windows and Mac OSX. It's open source, so you can download the code and tinker if you so desire.

Bonkey can:

• backup to multiple locations, including Amazon S3, SFTP, FTP, Windows shares, and local disks;
• backup Microsoft SQL Server databases;
• backup automatically at a set interval and at a set time if desired;
• backup only modified files, or a snapshot of the files you select;
• compress and encrypt files during backup;
• be configured to email any errors during backup to you;
• allow drag and drop transfers between different locations; and
• show built-in help.

More details:

• runs as a Windows service: no need to login for it to start; uses less memory; and is invisible;
• summary screen shows you all you need to know and makes managing your backup groups easier;
• file transfer mode for easier drag and drop transfers;
• synchronisation to remove out of date files from backup targets;
• built-in restore wizard to restore to a folder or original locations.

Other things worth mentioning:

• no spyware, adware, ads, viruses, spam, trojans or STDs. Just the backup software;
  
• runs on Java;
• S3 is run by Amazon - I have nothing to do with it and no responsibility for it. I use it though, and it ain't bad (it's cheap, which can't be bad); and
  
• thanks to Eclipse for the framework, Apache for a number of libraries, Eclipse for icons, and superconnected604 for the chain-smoking briefcase bearing primate.

Here's a simple screenshot of the summary page.

Downloads

Just in case people are missing the rather small download links on the left, you can download the latest versions of Bonkey here:

Windows

Mac OS X