Ukop 0.5

Ukop is a free Linux program used to copy or back-up disk files to a USB stick. The project copies only new or modified files since the last backup, and is therefore quite fast.
A GUI is used to navigate the file system to include or exclude files or directories at any level. Backup jobs can be saved for later re-use.
New or deleted files are normally handled automatically, without re-editing the backup job. Files can be selectively restored using a GUI. Ownership and permissions are also restored, even if the USB stick uses a FAT file system.
ukop is a Linux utility program for copying or backing-up disk files to USB sticks or "thumb drives", which are fast, non-volatile, removable memories that function like disk drives. Ukop is a free program licensed under the GNU General Public License.
The program is taylored for use with USB sticks, but any medium supporting disk functionality (a Linux file system such as ext2 or FAT) can be used. You can also use any ordinary directory for backup storage. For DVD media please see the sister program dkop.
You can select files to be copied using a GUI. You can navigate through the file system and select files or directories to include or exclude at any level in the directory hierarchy. These choices can be saved in a backup job file to automate recurring backups. If files are added or deleted within an included or excluded directory, the next backup will include these changes automatically. You do not need to revise the backup job unless you add new directories or make new exceptions.
Two kinds of backup are available: incremental and accumulate. An incremental backup copies all disk files specified by the backup job to the USB stick, except those that are already there and have not been modified since the last backup. Also, files on the USB stick that have no corresponding disk file are deleted. When done, the USB stick will exactly match the disk. An accumulate backup is like an incremental backup, but unmatched files are NOT deleted.
USB stick media can be verified three ways: full, incremental, and thorough. A full verify reads the entire USB stick and reports any files having read errors. An incremental verify reads only those files that have been newly recorded by a preceding backup job. This is usually much faster while still offering a high level of security. A thorough verify reads every file on the USB stick and makes a bytewise comparison with the corresponding disk file. This is normally not necessary, but provided as a check that all hardware and software is working correctly.
You can report all files in a backup job, or all files on a USB stick medium. You can search for files using wildcards. You can compare a USB stick with a backup job: list all files that have been created, deleted, or modified since the USB stick backup was made.
For disaster recovery or file transfer, ukop has a file restore capability. You can select and restore USB stick files to their original directories or anywhere else. Owner and permissions are are also restored, even if the USB stick uses a FAT file system.
Speed: Incremental backup and verify can be done in a few seconds if updated files are less than a few megabytes. Otherwise the USB stick I/O speed determines the time required, and this can range from 1 to 20+ megabytes per second.
The download tar file contains the source code, a binary executable that may work out of the box, and a complete user guide, including technical information about how ukop works.
Enhancements:
- if an empty directory is deleted in the backup medium and its parent becomes empty, then delete the parent also
- if a file fails to copy, report the error in backup only, not in verify
- new technical note about file name limitations for vfat formatted media