We all assume at first that all of the data on our Palm Pilots is backed up at each HotSync. So, when the inevitable catastrophe strikes, and you find that your Palm has lost EVERYTHING due to loss of battery power, a hard reset, etc., all you have to do is get to your PC and HotSync, right? Unfortunately, we all find out eventually that the answer to that question is, NO. HotSync nicely and consistently backs up all data stored in the built in applications, but third party applications are a very different story. The determining factor is a "switch" that each software developer has the option to turn on, telling HotSync manager to backup that application and it's database at HotSync. While many third party developers do turn this "switch" on, many of the applications that you use every day, may not have this option enabled, leaving you hopelessly lost in the event of a hard reset or other full data loss.

BackupBuddy was developed to ensure that this problem doesn't leave you helpless by backing up any and all applications and their databases, so that in the event of a total data loss, it really is as simple as a HotSync to get that lost information back. BackupBuddy even allows you to choose which applications are backed up and configure the backup to suit your needs.

Setup is simple. Open the self-extracting .exe file and follow the installation instructions on your screen. During installation, you will be prompted to choose several added features.

First, BackupBuddy can create a file that will archive applications that have been updated or deleted. If you install a newer version of an application, the older version will be archived in this file. Should you decide to delete the application, BackupBuddy gives you the option to reinstall the older version from its archive. I have found this feature to be useful in that applications that are written for the new Palm OS 3.5 don't always run satisfactorily on my Palm III with OS 3.0. I have been able to easily "roll back" to older versions of these applications that work well on my OS.

Next, a window of 'Extra Components' allows you to configure BackupBuddy to fit your needs. There is a selection to install BackupBuddy Palm Client, which allows you the opportunity to backup and restore your data from anywhere using a modem (wired or wireless). In order to do this, you must setup an account with Driveway.com. This account is free and gives you 25 MB of internet file storage for your Palm backup as well as any other files that you may need access to on the go. Because Driveway.com is an internet based storage site, it's like having an extra hard drive that can be accessed from anywhere that there is an Internet connection. If you choose this option, BackupBuddy's installation will automatically take you to Driveway.com (you must have internet access) and your account is setup. When your Driveway.com account is in place, you can easily continue the installation of BackupBuddy.

Also in the 'Extra components' is a Time Sync selection which allows automatic setting of your Palm's clock to match the internal clock in your PC at each HotSync.

Once BackupBuddy is installed, it will take over the default backup utility in HotSync and appears in the list of conduits within HotSync Manager. Like the other conduits, you have the option to set it as 'Desktop overwrites Handheld', 'Handled overwrites Desktop', or 'Do Nothing. The default is 'Handheld overwrites Desktop'. Since I don't use my Palm Desktop for anything more than backup and installation of new apps, I have kept this option. If, however you wish to change it, simply right click on the HotSync icon in your Taskbar and choose 'Custom'. There you'll find the list of all the conduits that you have installed on your PC. You have access to BackupBuddy's options through a shortcut that is automatically placed on your desktop. This allows you to choose which databases will be backed up and configure BackupBuddy.

Having BackupBuddy installed does not alter the simplicity of HotSyncing in any way. You still simply drop the Palm into its cradle and push the button. What you will notice, especially the first time after BackupBuddy is installed is that HotSync takes considerably longer. The first time, it can take several minutes, depending on how much you have stored on your Palm. Since I have 8MB of memory and approximately 100 applications, this process took nearly 15 minutes. Successive HotSyncs are faster, as BackupBuddy will only backup files that have been altered or added. You'll spend more time waiting, but you can rest assured that EVERYTHING is backed up.

To configure BackupBuddy, open it using the Desktop Shortcut. Here you'll find a list of options, as well as a list of applications installed on your Palm. Checking the box in front of an application or database tells BackupBuddy to skip it at the next backup. You'll find that going through this list and checking applications or utilities that don't change, or that you don't alter regularly will shorten HotSync time. While most of the options are straightforward, there are several that I have found to greatly enhance the built in HotSync. BackupBuddy has a selection to remove duplicates from Built-ins. Removing these duplicates saves precious RAM. Also, if you perform modem HotSyncs, BackupBuddy allows you to skip the backup portion of the HotSync, but still synchronizes your data and will install any applications in the install utility. You'll appreciate this time saving feature the first time. Another neat option will backup files stored in Flash ROM. While Flash memory is non-volatile and won't be lost during hard resets and loss of power, Flash memory is wiped clean during ROM and OS upgrades. Use this option before such an upgrade, and you'll be save some extra aggravation.

In theory, the BackupBuddy Palm Client allows connection to the Driveway.com account that you have the option of setting up during installation. The account is setup similarly to Internet Based email accounts. You are asked to choose a username and password. If you chose to install this option, you'll find a BackupBuddy icon on your Palm. When you open this application, you'll be asked to "Please wait" while BackupBuddy finds all the applications you have on your Palm. Again, the time that this takes will depend on how much you have installed. Once this is complete, the list will appear and each application has a checkbox. Only applications with the box checked will be backed up to your Driveway.com account. Choose 'Menu - File' and you have the option to quickly 'Select All', 'Select None', 'Select Built-ins' (which only backs up the databases for the built it Date Book, Address Book, ToDo List and Memo Pad) or 'Select Modified'. 'Select Modified' will only backup files that have been changed since the last backup. Tap 'Menu - Options - Server Settings' to add your username and password. All that is left to do is to connect your modem and let BackupBuddy connect to Driveway.com and backup your files. Note that you will need to have your ISP information in 'Network Preferences' for BackupBuddy to connect to the internet. But if you already use your Palm for Internet access or email, this information is already in place and you need not enter it again.

In the lower right corner are the buttons for backup and restore. Tap start, and every application with its box checked will be backed up, right? WRONG! It sounds so simple, yet I have yet to be able to get this feature to work. My Palm has no trouble connecting to the Internet. As far as I can tell, it successfully establishes a connection with Driveway.com. A window opens telling you how many files are left to backup, and an elapsed timer. You wait...and wait...and wait. And an error message tells you that the file cannot be written to the server. You are given the option to 'Abort', 'Continue' or 'Retry'. Both 'Continue' and 'Retry' end with the same result and 'Abort' just takes you back to the list of applications. I have tried everything that I can think of, and sent email to both BackupBuddy Software and Driveway.com, but have yet to be contacted with a solution. It seems as though the problem is on Driveway.com, but I can't be sure as the only message I get is that the file cannot be written to the server. I would hope that this bug can be worked out, because having an Internet based backup for my Palm that I can access from anywhere is one of the few features that makes BackupBuddy attractive to me.