Software Review

Dantz Retrospect Desktop Backup v5.0 

By Lowell Conn, Cyberwalker Media Syndicate 

Retrospect Desktop Backup from Dantz is very comprehensive, very effective and very cleanly presented. Would it be contradictory to suggest this program offers too much? 

To be sure, Desktop Backup has plenty of great options. Filters can be set so the program only backs up certain files and scripts can be developed so that the program creates copies of hard drives, files or subdirectories at regular and various intervals. The program compresses back-up files with an incredibly competitive compression ratio. 

Unfortunately, it seems as though the software's developers are not clear to whom they are marketing this program. Small business owners are busy individuals. They have business to conduct, sales to make, bills to chase down and employees to manage. They do not have time to figure out a multitude of options on a utility back-up program. That's not to say the options are not appreciated, but many will not be used. 

You don't have to look far to find the benefits. The core back-up function of Desktop Backup is easy to use. The back-up schedule module strikes the perfect balance between ease of use for newbies and swift comprehension for the experienced. The diagnostics and repair tools -- for checking on the health of your backed up files -- is a welcome addition to a back-up program. Another handy tool scans your computer for back-up drives and loads the appropriate driver, a boon for those of us hooking up the zip backup only when we need it. 

There are options that have little relevance for a small business, however. These include an array of client network back-up solutions that the average small business owner will not understand, much less try to use. 

More frustrating, one of the program's core components, allowing users to filter certain types of files for backup purposes -- essential to this utility -- is a pain to execute. A preparation course in logic and fluency in Boolean English is the minimal requirement for simple navigation through these waters. 

Retrospect Desktop Backup is not a bad program. There is just too much within it that is not very pertinent and too many options that are not relevant to small business. In truth, it seems to have been designed with bigger business in mind -- a utility to be operated by information technology specialists at a medium or large corporation. The price, $174.95 US, seems to corroborate this notion. 

Reviewer's rating: 3 / 5 
Comments: Retrospect Desktop Backup is effective with plenty of use, but its price and palette of options put it out of small business reach. 
Price: $145-195 US