Backup/Export Best Practices

DEVONthink
21

No, I prefer the files contained in the Devonthink database
And I’m comfortable with the export as part of my backup process

22

Ok. Up to you. I guess I’m puzzled how you access the data “independent of DEVONthink” if the files are inside DEVONthink database? You accessing the files inside the DEVONthink “package” with Finder or other apps?

Edit: to clarify as I’m curious, of the many options under the Menu: File → Export, which do you use? To database archive (which I use in a weekly automated script)?

23

My backup process includes

  1. direct backup of the database files (software TimeMachine/Arq, hourly incremental)
  2. File > Export > Files and Folders (weekly, full) (also backed up by Arq)
24

Thank you. This is very helpful. I think my initial thought process was the same about keeping files in the database and wanting to export as part of my weekly backup.

Can I ask how big your database are and how you divide them up? I was planning to use multiple database but the export might be easier if it is one big database that I can export rather than multiple weekly. Since my use case is a lot of iOS/iPadOS I could just use those devices on demand rather than downloading whole database.

25

I was planning to use multiple database but the export might be easier if it is one big database that I can export rather than multiple weekly.

I would not make a decision on the division of data based on the possibility of doing exports at some point.

Also, using a shallow sync with a gigantic database is not a surrogate for using smaller, more focused databases.

Organize based on actual needs and uses of the data you’re working with.

1 Like
26

I have a 15GB database with 30,000 records
Just a single database (for now)

27

If by any chance you’re tempted to try a little AppleScript there’s an interesting thread here (starting where I have linked it) about automating export of open databases. I use a script weekly which saves me a lot of time—based on what was discussed in that thread.

Edit: added the link!

Stephen

1 Like
28

Thanks, I need to look into automating my process
It’s a little more complicated with Export>Files&Folders