For the last few months ITS has been testing a new data backup and restore system based on Apple's Time Machine technology. Based on the successful results of this pilot project, we plan to roll out the service campus-wide later this Fall.

Time Machine promises to be a more reliable service than the old Retrospect Remote system that ITS supported for many years. Time Machine will back your computer up during the day and is not affected by shutting down daily for energy saving. Time Machine also allows direct user access to the backed-up files and does not require intervention by ITS staff. Because we will not replicate or archive files as often as we do for eDisk, the new service is not a replacement for an eDisk back up. Rather, the Time Machine service will provide a safety net in the case of equipment failure or loss.

Time Machine creates and archives copies of every file, so you can revisit these files as they appeared in the past. If you accidentally delete a file, or need access to earlier revisions of a file, the Time Machine interface will give you access to the versions of your files from past backup dates.

ITS will provide up to 20 gigabytes of space on a central server in our data center in the Martin Library to back up files in your home folder of your college-issued computer. We will not back up applications (Word, Excel, etc.) or personal music or graphic files, nor will we back up your email. We will back up images and music used in teaching. If you are using webmail or IMAP protocols for your email as we recommend, those files are already being backed up for you.

This new system is now in use by 40 members of the Franklin & Marshall community. We will be adding "subscribers" on a department by department basis later this Fall.

-Chris Swisher, Director of Desktop Integration & Support