Feature REQUESTS

[Gork]

Sorry for another post so quickly after the last - I had a power outage in the middle of editing my last post and now it's been too long and the board won't let me edit it anymore. :/

The changelog for beta v251229 (post v5.6.1.0 beta) indicates:

4. Enhanced backup scheduling by adding an option to perform a full backup after executing a specified number of incremental/differential backups.

I love this!

I have a follow-up feature request to even further advance this enhancement. It kind of sets up even more options for the user to run backups based on chain requirements, as opposed to requirements based on date/time scheduling.

Allow an option to perform a differential image after executing a specified number of incremental images. And, while not as important, it would also be great to be able to execute a differential image if no incremental images exist.

As an example, without having to set up automated schedules based on time - just a click by the user to start a backup every so often and the following would occur:

FULL -> DIFF -> INC -> INC -> INC -> DIFF -> INC -> INC -> INC -> DIFF -> INC -> INC -> INC

A retention rule combined with this setup would allow the oldest DIFF (along with its related INCs of course), to be deleted after/before/when the next DIFF is created. This would create a "forever chain" for more simple users who don't leave their external backup drive plugged in or their computer on. And it would be a one-click backup solution.

It would also be great if this could be combined with a "time sensing" backup solution so that, after a specified amount of time, a new FULL would be created. That way the last FULL wouldn't ever get older than what the user needs.

I am aware this can basically be done with scheduling, but for my 75 year old mother I'd like have things set up so she can simply turn the computer on, plug in her USB backup drive and just click to image and it would take care of the process without further intervention on her part. (And with my current setup it'd be a nice feature for me, too.) I can't help but think it might be something lots of folks might appreciate.