Hey there... I've run across something really useful.
I've been setting up the upstairs and downstairs computer for automated backups to one of those external USB drives... and I've run across a really nifty tool. Maybe I'm the last one to find it, and everybody already uses it, but it is called "SyncBack" and it is freeware from here: http://www.2brightsparks.com
There's a for-sale version with more bells and whistles, but the freeware version is pretty good already. It does scheduling, syncronization, backups over FTP, email notifications, all sorts of filtering and granularity.
It's a really competent backup sync system, especially for freeware. The full version is only $25 for five computers... I think I might get that.
Anyway... something to look at.
Hmmm. SirKit got one of those external hard drives after Christmas. I ask him if he's heard of SyncBack.