Free quality synchronization software? (backup software)

Question

I have started working on larger projects using PHP, and I'm realizing how bad it would suck if the virtual machine I'm storing it all on were to crash or get deleted somehow. So I looked into synchronization in Ecplipse and got dissapointed. I was hoping for a function that would save my file to several locations instead of just one.

All I need is a piece of software that will copy my projects folder to (say) three different locations when a file is saved, or at least on a 5 minute interval.

When I googled for said software I got an overflow of different software. 1/20 were free, and all those were sketchy freeware programs I have no plan in trusting.

I am a huge fan of free quality programs such as uTorrent, FileZilla and Eclipse. Is there a backup/sync program out there that can fit in with champions like these?

Thanks for all suggestions

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Edit: I should also mention that i use Windows 7 and require FTP support

Answer 1

rsync is your best bet. Write a little shell script which synchronizes every 5 minutes and your done!

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rsync
• http://samba.anu.edu.au/ftp/rsync/rsync.html

Answer 2

PureSync is a very nice software that I have used

http://www.jumpingbytes.com/en/puresync.html

Answer 3

I think @Mauricio's comment (now deleted) hits the nail on the head: Maybe what you really need is a Version Control System. See why should I use version control?

But as for sync tools, I second the rsync suggestion; to add a GUI-based point & click alternative, Microsoft's SyncToy is quite nice, too (Update: doesn't fulfill the FTP requirement though). It doesn't have a built-in scheduler, but can easily be connected with the Windows one.

Answer 4

I use SyncBack.