                            Colorado Backup
                              for Windows

                             by Tony Curro


    Colorado Memory Systems known for, and a leader in, QIC tape drives,
    has released a backup program for Windows.

    The software bundled with the Jumbo drive is a DOS-based program. It
    allows you to run it from Windows, but does so through a DOS window.
    This software was the only thing that disappointed me about the
    product. I always used third-party software. People have argued
    about the power of this software. I will agree it is powerful, but
    only if you remember a list of options and commands, and enter them
    from a command line or via a BAT file. The 'power' was not menu
    driven. However, unless you are still a DOS user (are there any
    left?), these days are behind you. Colorado has released their
    Backup for Windows. Currently it will only work with the Jumbo 120
    and 250. Software for the Trakker is under development.

    Installation requires about 1.5MB hard disk space, and is a breeze
    to install. The whole program is very intuitive. I was able to run
    almost everything without even looking at the manual. For those who
    do not read manuals complete help is available online. Backup also
    has network compatibility.

    There are two modes of operation: Basic and Advanced. In Basic mode
    you have three windows: Disk, Tape and Quick Reference. On the
    bottom of the screen you have two icons: One Step and Macro. The
    Quick Reference window gives you online help for every procedure of
    the program, including how to create and execute macros. The whole
    program conforms to drag-and-drop. Just click on a disk drive icon
    and drag it to a tape icon. To restore you drag a tape icon over a
    disk drive icon. It cannot be any easier.

    In Advanced mode the Quick Reference window is replaced by a macro
    window. Here you will see the macros that you have created. To
    execute a macro you drag the macro over the Run Macro Icon on the
    bottom of the screen.

    I do a full backup of my drives weekly. I do a backup of changed
    files daily. I have two drives. I created one macro for each full
    backup, and one containing both drives for the daily backup. When I
    start Colorado Backup for Windows, I just drag the macro I want to
    use, and it is executed. Depending on how you set it up, it will
    even erase the tape BEFORE a backup. To make it even easier, you can
    have the program generate a macro icon in your program group. When
    you want to run a macro you do NOT have to start the program. Just
    double click on the macro. It will run Colorado Backup, execute the
    macro, and then exit the program. All of these features will run in
    the background, as you do other work.

    Anyone, even a novice user, can create a macro. You click on Start
    Recording. Drag the disk icon over the tape. After you make your
    selections, click on Stop Recording. It will ask you for a name for
    the macro. It will then save it. Then you do as above to run it.

    Using the Wildcard feature you can include/exclude specific files
    from a backup. Exclude all BAK and TMP files, for example. All the
    features you would expect to see in tape backup software are
    included. There is even an unerase feature, that works well,
    provided you have not overwritten the tape. You can set up a
    scheduler to run unattened backups.

    When you start a backup you will see a progress report, including
    tachometer to show how fast the backup is going (Press ALT-V for
    graphic). While there is an elapsed time indicator, I was sorry not
    to see an estimated time indicator. Having an approximate time of
    completion would be of use to many. However, there is a select
    option that cycles through: Files copied, File left, Bytes copied,
    Bytes to be copied.

    I am very excited about this product, and have removed my other
    software. I highly recommend this software to EVERY Windows user. It
    is THE backup software. It is QIC-40 and QIC-80 compliant.


                          Product Information

                            Colorado Backup
                              for Windows

                           List Price -- $59.

                        Colorado Memory Systems
                          800 South Taft Ave.
                           Loveland, CO 80537
                              800-845-7905
