Dantz Retrospect 7 Regular backups are absolutely essential in daily computing, but not all PC users do it. That’s because backing up a whole drive of files can take a huge chunk of time off anyone’s day and also because some backup programs even make the whole process harder. If thinking about backing up your huge data bin makes you feel as tired as you are after a long workday, you should get yourself a copy of Dantz Retrospect 7. This new version has been upgraded with a modified interface and some features that give the program more juice, but basically it’s still the same efficient software as the version that came before it. Firing up Retrospect immediately shows you three options – Backup, which allows a quick selection of specific blocks of data; Duplicate, which makes copies of data in another storage device; and Disaster Recovery, which generates a bootable CD image and restores a non-bootable computer. These are easily done through wizards that walk you through the operations – something that backup amateurs and long-timers alike will appreciate. Retrospect has “selectors” which you can set up to skip files that you feel don’t need a backup. You can also automate all the operations so you won’t have to remember to backup every time. It can shut down the program automatically after a backup operation too. The software works with a variety of backup devices, such as hard disks, tape drives and CD/DVD storage devices and it detects and configures them for you. It also has “tools” for various backup tasks. You can update or create catalog files, check the integrity of storage media, copy files or snapshots from one set to another, and copy and move files from one volume to a set. The program also comes with two clients, making it possible to backup a couple of computers on a network. You will have to adjust to Retrospect jargon, though, which makes the simple interface a bit hard to follow at times. For example, a “backup set” is made up of several pieces of storage media, while a “volume” is a drive or a network file server that contains your data files and folders. Once you’ve mastered what the terms mean, however, navigating through the software is easy. Dantz Retrospect 7 is expensive, but it has more power to protect your data than other backup software. Make the investment – it’s worth it. Dantz Retrospect 7 PRICE: From US$129 CONTACT:    EMC Computer Systems, tel. 830-2381, fax 885-0146