Latest FD

[Acadia]

So has anyone installed it yet, if so, how do you like it?

Acadia

[TonyW]

The new open file technology - VSS by default - takes a bit longer than the previous one when initalising before doing any copy/updating. One can change to the RSS version though, but I'll see how this works out first.

[aigle]

It has compressed snapshots feature?
Any difference in speed of making snapshots?

thanks

[ErikAlbert]

I'm going to wait until I have my computer re-installed from scratch.

I'm disappointed in the way this upgrade is released. It isn't even mentioned in my personal account.
I expected a complete new FDISR installation file from Raxco, like PerfectDisk8.
Now I have two installation files to install FDISR :
1. FDISRfw.exe
2. FDISRW_update.msp

[TonyW]

-{ Quote: "
2. FDISRW_update.msp" }-This file is the patch file, which means you don't have to uninstall FD-ISR to update it.

Raxco have kept their main interface screen picture, but have used the new pre-boot logo - sorry to the guy who won the Leapfrog competition to design a new interface screen as his isn't there. It's there on the Leapfrog version tho.

[aigle]

That,s not nice to hear.

[TonyW]

-{ Quote: "It has compressed snapshots feature?
Any difference in speed of making snapshots?" }-Yes, compression is there, but not a huge difference in speed. Obviously, there is some due to smaller sized snapshots, which are about 30% of the original.

[aigle]

thanks.

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "This file is the patch file, which means you don't have to uninstall FD-ISR to update it.

Raxco have kept their main interface screen picture, but have used the new pre-boot logo - sorry to the guy who won the Leapfrog competition to design a new interface screen as his isn't there. It's there on the Leapfrog version tho." }-
Yes, I know it's a patch file, but that doesn't make me happier.
And this update contains only bug-fixes and the new compression feature and that doesn't make me happier either.

The fact that the new interface screen of the winner of Leapfrog competition isn't used, doesn't make me happier either. The guy deserves some respect and recognition for his hard and artistic work.

Everything about this patch file makes me unhappy, except the compression of course, if it works.
I guess we all have to wait for the real improvements. Leapfrog/Raxco is lucky, that the competition is very poor, but that won't last forever.

An announcement of a new version with improved features somewhere in the future would be nice, instead of leaving us in the dark. :)

[silver0066]

The new version works fwith both Vista and XP, however, the compression feature does not work with Vista. When you boot to the compressed snapshot in Vista, you get an error screen stating that the boot manager is compressed, do a CTL, ALT, DEL.

[Peter2150]

Maybe I've become jaded because the number of times FDISR has saved me much grief, but this software just keeps on working, and the little stuff, like, it's a patch, etc just doesn't rise to a big so what level.

I don't see this update as a big change, but hey we could have Acronis, new version, you have to buy it, new features, that don't work......

Sorry, but I am perfectly happy.

[Antarctica]

-{ Quote: "I don't see this update as a big change, but hey we could have Acronis, new version, you have to buy it, new features, that don't work......

Sorry, but I am perfectly happy." }-

So am I.:)

[L Bainbridge]

-{ Quote: "Maybe I've become jaded because the number of times FDISR has saved me much grief, but this software just keeps on working, and the little stuff, like, it's a patch, etc just doesn't rise to a big so what level.

I don't see this update as a big change, but hey we could have Acronis, new version, you have to buy it, new features, that don't work......

Sorry, but I am perfectly happy." }-

Couldn't agree more.
What I like about FD-ISR is that it does what it needs to do simply, efficiently and reliably.
Features are being slowly added, I agree, but do we really need incremental backups? (kinda defeats the object of 'separate' snapshots if you ask me).
Not too devasted about not seeing the official Leapfrog logo either.
What I want is function not bloat, and slow and careful development will give us that.
This update is no great shakes- exactly what an update to a well-functioning program should be...

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "Couldn't agree more.
What I like about FD-ISR is that it does what it needs to do simply, efficiently and reliably.
Features are being slowly added, I agree, but do we really need incremental backups? (kinda defeats the object of 'separate' snapshots if you ask me).
Not too devasted about not seeing the official Leapfrog logo either.
What I want is function not bloat, and slow and careful development will give us that.
This update is no great shakes- exactly what an update to a well-functioning program should be..." }-
Most users are satisfied with what they have, they only complain when it doesn't work.
If everybody would think like that, software would never be improved.

[Defenestration]

Does the new compression feature work with RSS or do you have to use VSS ?

[TonyW]

It works the same whether you use RSS or VSS.

[Defenestration]

OK thanks for confirming Tony.

[Birdman]

-{ Quote: "Does the new compression feature work with RSS or do you have to use VSS ?" }-

Pardon my ignorance, but does the compression feature work AUTOMATICALLY....or is it something you have to manually select or configure?

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Pardon my ignorance, but does the compression feature work AUTOMATICALLY....or is it something you have to manually select or configure?" }-

When you create a new snapshot, you can select whether it is a compressed or regular snapshot.

[L Bainbridge]

-{ Quote: "Most users are satisfied with what they have, they only complain when it doesn't work.
If everybody would think like that, software would never be improved." }-

Depends on how you see improved. I'm of the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it school' as regards FD-ISR mainly because I consider it as essential as my OS for day to day work.
Of course I want to see new features but only if they are necessary and don't distract from FD-ISR's primary function- immediate system restoring.
I like its simplicity of approach to this and being fairly lazy in all this don't want to learn how to use new functions if the program already does what I need it to do.

[ErikAlbert]

Removed.

[L Bainbridge]

I agree with you on scheduling although it's a fairly minor irritation for me.
I'm not really qualified to comment on frozen snapshots as I barely, if ever, use them.
As you commented in another thread I suspect these are not yet widely used by most FD-ISR users, so what you require may not be seen by the 'average' user of FD-ISR (if there is one) at the moment as quite so important/ essential. It may, of course, become more important as more of us use frozen snapshots for surfing, especially if FD-ISR wants to stay ahead of the field.
I'll give you that both of your requirements could have been fairly easily implemented by Leapfrog/Raxco.
Let's hope they are in the next build and we'll both be happy;D

[Peter2150]

Interesting points Erik. I think your Point 1 under schedules may be the answer. It may well be that we home users are an insignificant part of the FDISR market. That could explain things. Also things might be as simple as you think.

On the multiple freeze concept. Swapping from one snapshot to another with regular snapshots seems as simple as rebooting and from our stand point it is, but as I learned running the tests when I found that bug a few complex things do happen in that process. It also may well be that what occurs with the freeze isn't as simple as you would think. Could be done, sure, but a vendor has to look at cost vs market.

Given the purpose of freezing, I suspect that the market for those wanting to be able to freeze more than one snapshot is very very veryyy small.

Pete

[ErikAlbert]

Removed

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "That a function isn't popular in usage, doesn't mean that it doesn't need to be improved. I never make that distinction between regular used, rarely used or never used. The function is there and there is always a group of users, who will use them.

I noticed that frozen snapshots are indeed used by other members, they just don't post much here and if they only want ONE frozen snapshot, well that is still possible after the change.

Since I use FDISR as a second backup solution, in case ATI fails and that will ever happen, I would like to have these schedules on-demand, because they are safer in usage, than doing it manually." }-

Erik, there is a world of reality and economics. Every one of these software vendor's are in business to try and make money. It just isn't worth spending resources to do something when maybe one user might find it useful. Also I suspect that the money is made from corporate users, and if they asked you'd probably see what you want, but if they don't ask you won't.

Let me pose this question. If Todd said to you, I can do what you ask, but since no one else wants it, would you be willing to pay the $1000 cost of the time to do it.

If the idea is good, and a lot of users of pay for the bread and butter ask you will see it, otherwise probably not.

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "Erik, there is a world of reality and economics. Every one of these software vendor's are in business to try and make money. It just isn't worth spending resources to do something when maybe one user might find it useful. Also I suspect that the money is made from corporate users, and if they asked you'd probably see what you want, but if they don't ask you won't.

Let me pose this question. If Todd said to you, I can do what you ask, but since no one else wants it, would you be willing to pay the $1000 cost of the time to do it.

If the idea is good, and a lot of users of pay for the bread and butter ask you will see it, otherwise probably not." }-
No comments, you will never understand it. Just let it go. It was never mentioned.

[Defenestration]

I get the distinct impression that Erik and Pete disagree on this (and other) issues ;D

[aigle]

-{ Quote: "Erik, there is a world of reality and economics. Every one of these software vendor's are in business to try and make money. " }-

I totally agree with you. So if they have one or more competitors, laws of economics will play in other direction and u will see new featres. Let,s just wait.

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "I get the distinct impression that Erik and Pete disagree on this (and other) issues ;D" }-
Yes indeed, but that doesn't make me angry. I'm familiar with user's attitude toward changes. Most people don't want changes, it scares them. This forum is not a good place to speak about changes. So I removed them.
I think our wish-list is just for the show. I won't mention any change anymore in this forum. :)

[Peter2150]

-{ Quote: "Yes indeed, but that doesn't make me angry. I'm familiar with user's attitude toward changes. Most people don't want changes, it scares them. This forum is not a good place to speak about changes. So I removed them.
I think our wish-list is just for the show. I won't mention any change anymore in this forum. :)" }-

No anger here either. Erik I am just trying to point out that just because something might appear to be a good idea, doesn't mean it is economically feasible for the vendor. They do have to consider that. Everyone does, if they are going to stay in business.

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "No anger here either. Erik I am just trying to point out that just because something might appear to be a good idea, doesn't mean it is economically feasible for the vendor. They do have to consider that. Everyone does, if they are going to stay in business." }-
Not with small changes. I know by experience when something is difficult or easy to change.
Each new feature or improved feature makes a software more attractive to users.

Leapfrog/Raxco can't afford to freeze their software, you can't do that if you want to compete. Leapfrog/Raxco is lucky to have almost no competition, but that won't last forever.
RB/EF is already working on archived snapshots to compete with FDISR, their speed and space is already better than FDISR.
And there are enough users who prefer RB/EF over FDISR, because of the speed and space.

EDIT :
They don't have to do all my little changes in one new version. One little change per new version is enough for me, as long there is some progress. But I don't hear anything from Leapfrog/Raxco either about new versions.

[L Bainbridge]

-{ Quote: "Yes indeed, but that doesn't make me angry. I'm familiar with user's attitude toward changes. Most people don't want changes, it scares them. This forum is not a good place to speak about changes. So I removed them.
I think our wish-list is just for the show. I won't mention any change anymore in this forum. :)" }-

ErikAlbert

I think that would be a great pity.
This is a place for people who 'push the envelope' in terms of software set ups and ask hard questions to the various software manufacturers, if only to keep them 'honest' and you're one of those people.
Just because others don't always immediately see it the same way as you doesn't mean we don't value your views and often come to realise that you're right over time....
If we don't ask we don't get so I hope you keep the pressure on Leapfrog/Raxco even if I'm not yet convinced of the need for more frozen snapshots.
Lee

[TonyW]

-{ Quote: "
I think our wish-list is just for the show." }-How do you know if the Devs aren't working on some of the suggestions? They could well be. I remember suggesting decreasing the snapshot size in the Wish List, and the response was to wait for the next version. They'd obviously been working on compression for some time, but didn't give anything away until it was ready and released.

[Acadia]

I must agree with Tony. I bet the Wish List is the very first thing that LeapFrog looks for when he in checks into the Forum. 8)

Acadia