02-08-2006, 12:00 AM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
|
|
Sprite Backup 5.0 Released
http://www.spritesoftware.com
One of the best selling pieces of software for the Pocket PC has been Sprite Software's Sprite Backup. It even comes on several models by default, like some of the iPAQ line. With the shift to ROM based storage and some changes to the database, existing versions of Sprite Backup simply don't work with Windows Mobile 5 devices. That changes today! Sprite Backup 5.0 is now available.
Starting the backup (click for full size image)
New features or enhancements include:
� Reliable backup and restore of Exchange synchronized mail messages. Earlier versions could back up Outlook synchronized messages, but those from Exchange would cause problems after the restore, preventing server sync.
� Performance improvements. In running a very quick test of the backup process, my JasJar was backed up, just over 29MB of data, in under 2 minutes! This included encrypting and compressing the data. It took nearly 5 minutes for the same amount of data on my old PDA2K.
� Automatic restore after a hard reset. This could be very valuable in the field. Just configure your employees' device to auto-restore should a hard reset happen. Of course, you should weigh the security concerns surrounding that for your particular organization.
� Autobackup to your PC on the first ActiveSync connection of the day.
Pricing is $29.95 for the Pocket PC version. If you are a previous owner, you need to buy the full version, then apply for a $14.95 rebate at the Sprite Software Customer Relationship Management site. Because 5.0 is so different from 3.x it wasn't possible to make an "upgrade" installer available. See below for a few more screen shots.
Backup is finished (click for full size image)
There are now 2 soft resets involved in backing up, one when it starts and one when it finishes. This screen pops up after the backup is finished.
Backup report (click for full size image)
You can view a quick summary of the backup job. You can see that it is wicked fast in finishing the job.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-08-2006, 12:10 AM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,162
|
|
Cool. I might just look into this.
One question, what happened to version 4?
|
| |
|
|
|
02-08-2006, 12:20 AM
|
|
Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,305
|
|
Let's hope the WM5 Smartphone version is not far behind.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-08-2006, 12:48 AM
|
|
Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
|
|
A couple of things I don't like here......First, a rebate instead of an upgrade. Lots of software companies offer upgrades without ever having the to install over the old version. There are many ways round it. Secondly, NO trial! Yeah, yeah, I no there is a 30 day money back guarantee. First put out your 30 bucks, then jump through hoops in hopes of a rebate at some future date, or a refund if I choose not to use it. It's all very complicated. I've gone this long using betas and Sunnysofts flaky application I guess I can wait another week to checkout SPBs new backup solution.
Dave
|
| |
|
|
|
02-08-2006, 12:55 AM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 177
|
|
I realize this is probably a very naive question, but exactly why is backup software necessary on a WM 5 machine? I thought the main feature of WM5 was persistent memory.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-08-2006, 01:00 AM
|
|
Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by WorksForTurkeys
I realize this is probably a very naive question, but exactly why is backup software necessary on a WM 5 machine? I thought the main feature of WM5 was persistent memory.
|
One very good reason...Murphy's Law.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-08-2006, 01:09 AM
|
|
Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,305
|
|
Sprite has always been pretty useless in the responsiveness department. What they need is competition. The lack of a trial version is glaring.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-08-2006, 02:10 AM
|
|
Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 524
|
|
Re: Sprite Backup 5.0 Released
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
Sprite Backup 5.0 is now available.
|
Does ayone know if v5 works ONLY on WM5 or is it also an upgrade to WM2003SE models?
__________________
Regards
Griph
iPhone 4 32GB Jailbroken and iPad 3G 64GB .
|
| |
|
|
|
02-08-2006, 02:14 AM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 91
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Jerry Raia
Sprite has always been pretty useless in the responsiveness department. What they need is competition. The lack of a trial version is glaring.
|
8O
I've found them to be very good in responding to any queries I've had.
Still I think the no upgrade and no trial decision is appaling.
Still it's must have software. Or atleast the previous version is.
|
| |
|
|
|
02-08-2006, 02:28 AM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 318
|
|
Because of the rebate y upgrade system AND that SPB have their backup program coming out next Tuesday 14th.
I'm holding off on this one.
I've used sprite for a number of years but I like the cut of SPB's Jib better. So I'll hold off for a week. Sprite managed to cheese me off by have the beta expire 7 days before release of this version. That shows a poor attitude to the end user to me.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
