Backing up data can be a major chore but fortunately there are a few tools that can help make your life a lot easier.  One of the tools that I think makes backing up easier is called called Second Copy. 

Last month saw the release of the latest version - Second Copy 7 .

I've been a long-time user of (the previous version to 7.0 was Second Copy 2000 and I've been using this for a number of years) and it's helped me keep my data safe.

So, what is Second Copy?  Here is how it's described on the website:

Centered Systems has announced the release of Second Copy 7, an automatic backup utility for Windows 95/98/Me/NT4/2000/XP/2003 that makes backing up your important files a breeze. Second Copy 7 works in the background with little impact on your system's performance. Simply tell Second Copy which files you want to copy, where and when you want to copy them, and forget about it.

Second Copy 7's setup wizard helps users define different profiles each indicating different sets of files and rules. These profiles can be organized in groups by different categories such as daily backups, weekly archives, accounting files, etc. Setup wizard also assists the user in setting the frequency of the backups, including specific days of the week, hours of the day, or any desired time intervals. Files can be stored on any local fixed or removable disks, zip drives, CD-RW's, DVD's, as well as on storage devices on other computers across a network. Second Copy 7 backups can span across multiple disks. 

One thing that impressed me about Second Copy 2000 was how reliable and robust it was - In the five years of using it I can't remember having any real issues with it. I'm therefore looking forward to testing Second Copy 7 and see how it compares.  So far I have to say that I'm impressed with version 7 and can't see any blind spots or problems with it.

New features in Second Copy 7 include:

• New Windows XP style interface
• 256-bit AES encryption
• Support for FTP
• E-mail notification

Stay tuned for a more detailed review of this application in the new year, along with some tips on getting the most of out of it!

Second Copy 7 costs $29.95 and there is a trial download available .

This entry was posted by the PC Doctor on Thursday, December 22nd, 2005 at 17:10 and is filed under Kit!. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.