The two completely free programs I use are SyncBackFree (limited but still very functional and solid), and Personal Backup.
Personal Backup has been around for years, is full featured, well documented, and compete FREEWARE with no ads, nags or upgrades needed.

 

I am using cloud sites like MEGA and Google Drive, both are free and has a good amount of space.

 

Technically the most reliable backup by corporates is transported off-site, in case of fire, building loss etc. This is not sensible for most people that are regular non-corporates.

If the data is not massive and under 100GB, then cloud storage is probably the smartest because it's much too expensive if you are talking in the 10TB range.

External drives, image backups, clone disks are all good but if you have sensitive data that changes daily these are too painful daily. A SYNC with cloud if only to update changes is not silly. If there are minimal critical files i.e.
If a whole drive, O/S and masses of data, then local clone disks are probably smarter, though doing it daily to repeat, is not fun unless you are corporate and have to.

 

this is an important issue and i am tres greatful for all the advice.
i got myself an external hardrive and i today got a portable dvd burned and i have a few usb sticks whic i may use and store safely somewhere.
the one thing i haven't got a grasp on yet is hot to automate the process. i set something up years ago for a friend but everything i knew then i don't now.
i am going to check out SyncBackPro this evening...
a few years back i lost a hardrive full of music projects. i have a memory that this was 'ggod work. but now i cannot remember any of it, so time is a healer... i don't really want to go through that again : )

 

If I understood your post right, it's not just a matter of backing up data, but rather finiteness of storage on your laptop.
If so, I suggest to use an external drive.

Use TotalCmd to move the whole audio stuff into subfolders of a single audio-directory. Link these new subfolders using junctions (!!!) to their origin audio paths either on Commandline or with Linkshell-Extension. Junctions provide apps the ability to follow these links and treat them like links on internal drives.

By this you cleanup your laptop's storage and, doing right, everything will run properly from the external drive. There's no more need to backup your audiofiles just because of a lack of space on your harddisk. It will probably run faster and not flaking out bit by bit.

Sure, for data safety you need to clone the external drive too, but it's easier to backup the content of a single directory without having to deal with a weak computer and maybe loss of data from several audio-working-paths... it also prevents from troublesome work on "once rescuing" your laptop.

Good luck!

 

I'm on a mac. On el capitan with a perfect setup, everything working perfectly. All the personal files are on a single folder.

I have 2 large HDD, and 3 smaller SSD

The 1st large slow drive has: Personal files folder, all the content from the fast drives (samples), carbon copy of the perfect install minus the personal folder (done via disk utility in recovery mode)

The 2nd slow drive is a backup

The 3rd, 4th and 5th SSDs have samples and kontakt stuff. They make loading things WAY quicker. SSDs used to be fucky and prone suddenly losing data, but the latest generation ones are really reliable (samsung T4s)

When ever I want to try to install some weird shit like openssh cracks, I make a .dmg and go about without fear of breaking stuff. Restores happen in 5 minutes tops, it's pretty sweet

Man I feel so lucky to live at this age. I'm also grateful for those who make these gifts available to us. Bless you all!

 

FreeFileSync is good for updating just the updated info also can be used as a backup for your documents.
Me personally I use NAS's. I recommend you get a cheap 2 bay buffalo NAS and mirror the drives.

 

I was going to reply, but just go with what tzzsmk and Olymoon said; they're spot-on. (*Especially the "HDD not SSD" bit.)

 

I tested SyncBack Pro for my file saving. I'm comparing it against GoodSync.
Works great so far, looks nice, easy to setup. But when it comes to automation I don't get it to work on a "changing file". Is there a way to start a sync job, when files in a given folder change? (I only found time based automation).

 

I only do "changing file". Check When -> Changes -> Run the profile when any files or directories are changed on Source. I find "changing file" is better than goodsync. I use it with Premiere encoder exports which GoodSync did not understood the changes.

 

Ok thanks, that's what I was looking for.