Dummy!
Do your backups! If fiddling through Windows' built-in
backup utility buried in the System Tools folder
in Accessories in Programs in the Start Menu is too
much hassle, or even if you don't mind using Windows
Backup but simply aren't sure exactly which file(s)
to save, it seems to us that the simplest way to
wipe away the prospect of future tears is through
the kind and efficient auspices of a dedicated e-mail
backup utility. Let's have a round of applause for
Email Saver Xe.
As
utilities go, this one is simple and straightforward.
During installation, Email Saver Xe roots around
in your system to find out exactly which mail programs
are installed and where their important file and
storage locations reside in the system. Launch the
software, click the Backup icon, click the subsequent
list to choose which identities (e-mail accounts)
you want to back up along with signature files, address
books, mail folders, message rules (very important
for Outlook users!), choose a location to store the
backup file(s) and away you go.
When
the inevitable happens - when your computer crashes,
when Outlook sneezes and destroys its own PST File,
when a Eudora mail file is no longer accessible,
when Netscape Messenger decides to randomly exit
to the desktop, etc., etc. - launch Email Save Xe
and click the Restore button. The utility presents
you with a list of e-mail clients from which you
can select the one you need. The most recent backup
file can then be accessed from the location stored
you set up in the Email Saver Xe options dialog.
That's
it. But that, as they say, is all there's supposed
to be. In fact, where backups are concerned, the
simpler the better. Email Saver Xe is so simple it
can be used to back up or restore by literally anyone
capable of turning on a computer and launching a
piece of software. As with WinGuides Registry Mechanic,
Email Saver Xe is not big on flashy user interface,
feature bells and function whistles. It just does
its job precisely and swiftly. We've used Email Saver
Xe for about 4 weeks during the review process and
found ourselves doing e-mail backups regularly -
twice a week or more - and in any event much more
often than ever before. The reason? Simplicity! Launch
the program, click a few times, backup starts, backup
ends, e-mail is preserved and protected.
Cons: You
can back up e-mail to floppy disk, ZIP disk (100MB,
250MB) and CDR/RW (650MB, 700MB) but not DVDR/RW.
Pros: Save
backup e-mail archives anywhere: removable disks,
hard drive, CD, ZIP disk, etc. Fast and furious -
the utility gets the job done almost before you notice
it's started. Obviously, large amounts of e-mail
(especially when they contain lots of file attachments)
take longer, but the utility is still very quick.
Nice little set of encryption settings in case you
want to further protect your backed up e-mail files.
Because the utility creates easy-to-find backup files,
it also makes moving your e-mail from one computer
to another much easier (when you get a new machine
for instance). Simple but useful Scheduler for automated
backups. Considering the amount of information most
computer users exchange via e-mail these days, we
think Email Saver Xe is about the cheapest and most
reliable e-mail loss insurance you can get. Recommended.
