Terms "image" vs. "backup"

In computer forensics, the terms "image" and "backup" mean different things. Image means a bit for bit copy while backup isn't a bit for bit copy, but only the files copied.

Acronis' help files seem to use them interchangably. For example, I've noticed this when setting up a scheduled imaging/backup.

Do they mean the same to Acronis?

 

In general they are a source of confusion especially in this forum. Before TI version 9, TI only did disk images.

It would be nice to know that backup means what TI calls a Files and Folders backup but unfortunately the word gets used in the general sense of making a copy of whatever. In short, you have to be careful when reading the TI documentation or this forum and seek clarification where necessary.

 

You might as well ask folks to stop prounouncing "interesting" (4 syllables) as in-trist-ting (3 syllables) or "nuclear" as noohk-cue-lehr. It might seem sinful or even sloppy, but that's how lots of folks talk. Language changes over time and things move around.

At least folks have pretty much stopped using "interface" as a verb. Meanwhile, the current fad is to use "utilize" and "utilizing" in place of "use" and "using." When you hear "utiliz. . .", it's almost always a tip-off that the speaker is trying to sound more clever or linguistically "hip" than he or she really is -- the speaker is utilizing "fashion" instead of smarts.

That be how it is, and I utilize the term loosely ;-)
sh

 

My understanding of the origin of this confusion is that TI uses the same technology to copy file data, as it does to copy partition data. A copy of partition data is done at the sector level and has always been known as an "image". A file copy is also done at the sector level, its just that it is selective. Both create "images".

It would be more helpful IMHO not least when answering queries in this forum, to understand whether a user has a problem with a file "image" or a partition "image", by having clear definitions of what is what.

F.