The fourth part of the soft-review of the backup on devices running Windows Mobile, we consider the package of SKTools and summarize the entire workshop, which, recall, was attended by leaders of the class bekaperov - Sprite Backup, Spb Backup and Sunnysoft Backup Manager. In general, we proceed.
SKTools Backup
Installation
We begin as usual with the installation. The site developer can download four different CAB-file SKTools - two under Windows Mobile 5.0 (with support for VGA and QVGA, respectively) and the same pair under Windows Mobile 2003. In separate CAB-archives available language packs (in Russian and German package includes translations of help files). For those who are too lazy to bother with a bunch of files, provides a single installer with a desktop PC.
The program takes at least 1.5 MB of main memory or on the map.
Language pack is placed separately.
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A fully functional demo version of the program there. Instead, it offered a demo version with limited capabilities. The entire interface is built on the lists of one kind or another, which in the demo version limited to six points, and the process of familiarization with it effectively reduces to the study of utilities and health checks liked. Thus, the user only and remains - either buy the program, no testing, or choose a solution from our competitors. True, this complexity does not end there. When installing SKTools creates a folder / Windows / File SKToolsID.txt, which should send the manufacturer, together with payment for the machine-generated serial number. Overcome all these obstacles, the user will receive the program, only one transfer function which would take several pages. In fact, SKTools - it is a complex package that combines a single interface for managing program 44 WM-device. Backup devoted only one of these programs, and it was her, we shall consider further, and about the package as a whole, we note only that he is uniquely focused on experts and requires very careful handling, because otherwise you can, unwittingly, to say goodbye to a very valuable data.
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Capabilities and interface
But back to the subject of the article. SKTools main screen contains a list of built-in programs, some of whom are SKTools Backup. Programs are grouped by meaning. "View" menu contains a list of program groups and provides an opportunity to call all of them, if the user gets confused.
SKTools Backup belongs to the group by default, so we will not go in the other groups.
Tools menu contains lots of items not related to the backup. The only point that deserves attention is the "Settings". SKTools has a habit of sometimes lose some of the settings (in particular - Language), so it is better to remember where to retrieve them. If you select «SKTools Backup» have to wait a few seconds. The program searches the memory files of past backups. Even if these files are not relevant, you have to wait.
SKTools Backup main screen consists of two windows. In the top - the list of backup files, at the bottom - information on a selected file. When you first start windows, of course, empty and what's what - is not obvious. Generally, excess simple interface is different, which is quite logical, with its orientation to professionals who themselves sorted out, and read the instructions was not lazy (although the interface and the instructions are not described).
You can switch between the windows from the Tools menu (it's made for comfort and control program without the stylus, which is very detailed and well elaborated).
From the same menu called Settings page. Unlike a similar item in the menu of the main screen, there is only called settings page SKTools Backup. Settings, like everything else in SKTools, presented a list.
In the upper window you can read this comment to the selected list item and change its value. For example, selecting from the drop-down list. For the compression list contains items from 0 to 9 (more than usual archivers).
Or enter a value manually.
Speaking of settings, SKTools Backup, it should be noted tremendous flexibility in setting the schedule backup.
For example, you can choose the time.
You can specify the days of the week, listing their numbers with a comma. To work without a stylus provided drop-down list, which in turn can add numbers of days or clear the field, selecting the "X". Several embarrassing that the list starts on Monday, and the numbering on Sunday, but you get used to it quickly.
Similarly, the realized and the choice of days, months and months of themselves. The developer did not burden the program a nice calendar, which also would be less convenient to operate without a stylus.
Choice of the year is limited to 2015 meters. Apparently, it is expected that by the time the program is hopelessly outdated.
Comment to the path under the autosave - it's not the only element of the interface Russified SKTools Backup. Together with him indicate the name of the file. Allowed to use macros date and time.
Clicking on the ellipsis button, get into the folder selection. Very amused of the Action menu: apparently, all that does not fit into the concept of lists, designers carried in the menu. Experience has shown that such a solution not only facilitates the interface, but also speeds up without a stylus.
Provided in the program and track the battery charge, but only four possible values, moreover, are not the most comfortable.
Action menu is extremely brief and provides only the return of the default settings.
In the Tools menu, just one point - "OK."
Action menu window SKTools Backup - pretty extensively, but it boils down to the management of backup files, which are, by and large, we can only remove or restore.
If you hover on the backup file system, then there is the option "View", which gives the possibility of selective recovery.
To file a complete backup of the system also provides opportunities to recover PIM data and messages Outlook (the version for WM 2003, you can choose only backup PIM).
The empty list in this menu is only a sub-menu item "Backup".
This submenu contains the full range of possible settings, the system elements to be a backup. No tree with a checkmark there. If you want zabekapit system is very selective, you have to do some archives. When you try to PIM data or database program warns that the recovery is not guaranteed for all devices. This is logical, since these data are stored as files and not converted into the appropriate format where necessary. But there are no problems with character encodings.
When you try to save the folder Pocket Outlook program will warn about what there is two reboots.
If you select a full backup, then both messages will appear in turn. If you select a backup file, you will get a window to select one folder, the entire contents of which will be retained. No lists of exceptions and similar opportunities there.
Before any Bacup given the opportunity to choose the backup file name and location for its creation.
All software is nothing more than the user does not want nothing to do with a backup, or during recovery. Both processes are carried out under scant explanation for this screen.
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If necessary, the program restarts the system. In addition to the mandatory reboot, the instructions recommend doing a hard reset before a full system recovery. That's all. Despite warnings that there is no guarantee one hundred percent recovery, all restored one-in-one, except as otherwise provided in the "Help" to the program cases, data transfer, but in these cases does not give guarantees, no program. We should also mention that the installed settings can have an action not on all devices. For example, on the X500, had no effect disabling compression. User support SKTools site is reduced to the form to send a message to the developer. However, the average user of this program is easy to find a developer with a common language. New versions are put in place of the old, the registration is saved, there is no auto-update.
Output
SKTools - a tool for advanced users.Newcomers are not recommended strongly. Many, who set SKTools for opportunities, in addition to backup, may prefer to install a separate bekapera more appropriate to their needs, because as most of the "Swiss knife» SKTools has a low functionality of the individual "blades". For those who like to delve into its Windows Mobile, the program should really like it.
Pros: - backup / restore works without a glitch
- Flexible schedule settings
- russified
- user-friendly interface that allows you to program without the stylus, a finger
- compression (adjustable level) and encryption
- elements of the sampling data recovery
- tracking battery
- Save System-level data files
Cons: - minimalist and unusual interface
- incomplete Russification
- no selective preservation of so many kinds of data
- sometimes rather slow work
- No avtoraspakovki
- astray, sometimes do not work correctly setup.
Ratings (1-5): - Interface: 3 (uncomfortable, although very standardized and simplified)
- Features: 5 (no extra features, but all that is expected from bekapera, present)
- Customer Support: 5 (forums, advanced FAQ)
- Reliability: 3 (it works, but there are minor problems on some devices and crashes in the preferences)
- Total: 4.
General outcomes of the backup on Windows Mobile devices
Any of the four examined in our review of programs for data backup (Sprite Backup, SPB Backup, Sunnysoft Backup Manager and SKTools) lets you forget about saving data synchronization methods (via ActiveSync). Already for this they should be installed on your device or PDA. However, these applications are not suited to each user, therefore, let us orient you in your choice. So, for the most choice comes down to Spb Backup or Sprite Backup. First distinguish Russification and simplicity, while the second - the speed interface and functionality (especially in version premium). If you are new to the PDA case, feel free to install either the one or the other. You will not regret. Recommend Sunnysoft Backup can only be those who appreciate the combination of high flexibility of configuration and the ability to track the battery device. Otherwise, the WM 5.0, this program is not competitive due to lack of stability and confusing interface. Advanced users will also certainly prefer SKTools because the entire set of functions that a small part of which is the backup. For many superfunktsionalnost this package will identify and select bekapera. Nevertheless, the very real situation where the user SKTools will spare no money for a separate program. Such a step it can push, especially the need for flexible configuration of selective backup and in a familiar intuitive interface. Experts and fans computers may prefer this program for aesthetic reasons, because in SKTools 44 programs occupy the same space as the average bekaper from competitors.
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| Comparative table: Sprite Backup, Spb Backup, Sunnysoft Backup Manager and SKTools Backup |
Part I: Overview of Sprite Backup. Part II: Overview of Spb Backup. Part Three: Overview of Sunnysoft Backup Manager. Supplement edition: During the preparation of reviews for some of the programs were new versions. For example, Spb Backup has been updated to version 1.5.5. Here is a list of changes:
- For communicators added to the automatic insertion of PIN-code after a reboot.
- Now you can create a separate exe-extractor that allows you to choose to restore any file.
- Fixed some bugs.
SK Tools updated to version 3.1.4.1, but the changes relating to backups in the new version does not.The authors, translation:
K. Nemo
