How to backup my ubuntu laptops to an external disk?

Question

When I was using MS windows I used a program Karen' Replicator. Is there similar sort of program in ubuntu?

Comments

I like the program Backintime, however I'm not familiar with Karen Replicator, so I can't say if they are equal.

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I also use Backintime. I have restored a few files at various times and  it has worked fine. As soon as a new harddrive gets here I am going to try an experiment. In preparation to upgrade from 12.04 to 14.04 I am going to install a fresh copy of 12.04 and then restore a backup copy of my current 12.04 over the new one to see what I end up with.

Answer 1

Ubuntu has Deja Dup built in, go to system settings and click backups at the bottom left or if you like using the command line you can use rsync to sync your files with a backup directory.

Answer 2

Have a look at amanda. Complex to setup the first time, but extremely capable as it can treat the external drive as a series of virtual tapes. I have been using it here, to a dedicated internal drive for several years. That drive has also failed a couple times, both well beyond the warranty, but the disk monitoring stuff gives you time enough to run to town and get another so I have had no unrecoverable losses in almost 15 years now.