Cucku Backup 2.10 is now available for download.
We've made big improvements in both speed and memory consumption. Cucku uses far less CPU when idle and both local and remote backups run faster than in any previous version (our benchmark tests for CPU show a 90% reduction while idle and nearly 50% for local backup).
Cucku now supports backing up from and to more devices. Previous versions supported "external" drives, 2.10 now supports "removable" drives as well. This means you can backup your USB memory drive as well as other devices that can be accessed through a drive letter (many digital cameras, camcorders and GPS units).
A new To Do list guides you through completing your first local and remote backup. This step by step guide helps make it easier to get the best possible protection from Cucku Backup. We've also made it easier to add partners by allowing you to automatically send a Skype IM or email with download instructions when you invite a new partner.
Backup progress reporting has been improved. For example Cucku will let you know when it's preparing the system for a locked file backup. During remote backup you'll see if a large file is being processed before it can be sent to your backup partner.
2.10 officially supports Windows 7 RC (both 32-bit and 64-bit editions).
Lastly, we've fixed a number of bugs reported in 2.00. This includes a crash when removing files from a drive that no longer exists, improvements to the backup verification process (handling missing files) and a crash when calculating the size of a backup.
Labels: Releases
posted by Rob on Monday, July 27, 2009
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One of the benefits of Cucku Backup Pro is that with one purchase you can have up to three installs. This could be installs on different computers, or different accounts on the same computer.
It's possible that you could use all three installs. Maybe you're setting up a really big backup network, or maybe you used Cucku Backup Pro on an old computer and now want to install on a new one.
To manage your licenses sign in to your Cucku Account (click images below for a larger view):
The first option is to buy an additional license pack. You can purchase licenses in packs of three - just click the Buy more Pro Licenses link.
If you just need to move licenses between installs click the Manage Licenses link:
You see two lists of the places where you have Cucku Backup installed. The lists include the name of the computer, the version of Cucku and the number of partners. Click Downgrade to switch an install to Cucku Backup Free and Upgrade to switch to Cucku Backup Pro.
Note that when you downgrade from Pro to Free all but one backup partner will be disabled and you'll lose access to other Pro features on that install. Typically you'll only want to downgrade an old install that you're not using any more.
For more help see Managing Licenses in the User Guide or send us email.
Labels: Tips
posted by Rob on Tuesday, July 21, 2009
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Tom's Hardware reported yesterday that Windows 7 Home Premium Won't Have Backup. You'd certainly get that impression from Microsoft's Windows 7 feature comparison, although the reality seems to be more complex with network backup being dropped from Home Premium.
I suppose we should be grateful that Microsoft still isn't providing robust backup out of the box. The reality is though that many computer users either don't understand or just don't get around to putting a useful backup strategy in place. Crippling backup in Home Premium (especially combined with the Windows 7 Action Center deficiencies that I blogged about last month) is a recipe for disaster.
A Harris Interactive poll for Maxtor (PDF) found that only one in ten people were unaware of the need to backup their computer. Despite this only a third used backup at all and the vast majority of that third backed up infrequently.
Why the disconnect? A whopping 44% of respondents found that backup was too technical. Another 20% found that it was too time consuming.
Instead of using backup to differentiate Windows 7 editions Microsoft should take the approach that they've already adopted with firewalls and anti-virus. The OS should warn the user if backup is not configured or out of date, and the Action Center should help users find backup solutions from a range of vendors.
I expect it's too late for Windows 7. It's not too late to tell a friend or family member about Cucku.
posted by Rob on Thursday, July 16, 2009
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From v2.0 Cucku Backup can now connect to the Internet via a proxy server. If an attempt to connect fails you'll see the Internet Connection Failed window. You'll also see this if your firewall or Internet security software is blocking access (this is likely to happen the first time you install Cucku, or after upgrading to a later version).
Click Proxy Settings to expand the window:
You can now enter your proxy server host (or IP address) and port. If your proxy server requires credentials then you can enter your username and password as well.
If you need to change your proxy server settings you can also access them in Settings -> Advanced -> Connection. You'll also be prompted with the Internet Connection Failed the next time Cucku needs to access the Internet.
Labels: Tips
posted by Rob on Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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Akamai released their Q1 2009 State of the Internet report yesterday (PDF, registration and CAPTCHA required - it's an adventure). It's a fascinating read.
Unique IPs observed by the Akamai network are up 27% year on year to over 419 million. Of course many of those IPs represent many users connected through a NAT. The global average Internet speed is up 29% year on year to 1.7 Mbps. South Korea leads the pack at 11 Mbps with the United States coming in eighteenth at 4.2. That's the average though - the US ranks thirty third for the percentage of the population with more than 2 Mbps - 63%, compared with 92% for the leader, Switzerland.
Unfortunately the report doesn't track upload speed. For most people this is around 20% of download speed which suggests that over a third of the US uploads at less than 400 Kbps.
Broadband access is increasingly a need rather than a luxury. It's embarrassing to see the US so far behind the rest of the world in both availability and diffusion.
There is hope - VP Biden said "Getting broadband to every American is a priority for this administration" last week while unveiling a $4.7 Bn program to bring high speed connections to underseved and unserved areas. We've blogged previously on President Obama's intention to start "laying broadband lines to every corner of America".
posted by Rob on Friday, July 10, 2009
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I've just added some more feeds to the Cucku Blog.
In the sidebar under Labels you can now click the feed link to subscribe to posts with that label. This is useful if you just want to subscribe to tips, or release notifications.
Each individual post now has a Comment Feed so you can subscribe to comments for the post. See Backup and System Performance for example.
We also recently added search to the site - you'll notice the search box at the top right of every page. Lots of people have asked for this and it makes it much easier to find older blog posts and topics in the User Guide.
Is there anything else we could do to make it easier to find and subscribe to the information you need? Let me know.
posted by Rob on Tuesday, July 07, 2009
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We gather feedback from a lot of sources: Cucku Support, Twitter, Facebook, our new LinkedIn Group, this blog and a survey sent out to everyone who creates a Cucku Account and allows us to send email.
One thing that's been missing is the ability for Cucku Backup customers to share ideas with each other as well as with us directly. To correct this we've just launched a feedback forum for Cucku:
The forum is powered by the excellent UserVoice - you may well be familiar with how this works from other sites. You get ten votes which you can use to either add new suggestions or vote on existing ones.
Cucku staff will be active in the forums - as well as voting you can discuss the suggestions and we'll be there to provide feedback and clarify requirements before we accept and implement new features.
The forum isn't designed for reporting problems and bugs - if you're having trouble with Cucku Backup or Cucku Backup Pro you should still open a support ticket.
I've added a few items to get the discussion started. Visit feedback.cucku.com to join in.
posted by Rob on Thursday, July 02, 2009
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