Backup Procedures
Backing up FormReturn's database is critical when used in a live environment.
The process for backing up and transfer of FormReturn's files differs between operating systems. Here is a quick way to find the FormReturn data directory (which is where all files are stored). Before backing up, please make sure FormReturn Server is closed.
Location of the FormReturn database, system password and preferences:
Windows XP & 2003:
To get to the Application Data folder that contains the FormReturn data
folder, do the following:
1. Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time. This should show the Run
dialog.
2. Type the following in: explorer "%userprofile%\Local
Settings\Application Data"
3. Right mouse click on the FormReturn folder, move the mouse down to the
Send To option in the popup menu and select "Compressed (zipped) Folder".
4. Wait for Windows to create a zip file of the FormReturn data
folder.
5. Copy the newly created zip file to your new computer.
Windows Vista & Windows 7:
To get to the Application Data folder that contains the FormReturn data
folder, do the following:
1. Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time. This should show the Run
dialog.
2. Type the following in: explorer
"%userprofile%\AppData\Local"
3. Right mouse click on the FormReturn folder, move the mouse down to the
Send To option in the popup menu and select "Compressed (zipped) folder".
4. Wait for Windows to create a zip file of the FormReturn data
folder.
5. Copy the newly created zip file to your new computer.
Mac OS X:
/Users/(your username)/Library/Application
Support/FormReturn
To locate the folder in Finder, go to your home directory (your username on the left),
then click Library, Application Support, FormReturn.
Linux:
/home/(your username)/.formreturn
MOST IMPORTANT FILES:
1. system.password (this is the password for your database, you will not
be able to access your database without this file, or without writing the password
down).
2. the databases directory inside the FormReturn folder.
You can copy the entire folder to a new computer and it should work.
Backup Utilities We Suggest You Review
Windows:
Windows backup is a built-in backup solution that is reasonably easy to get running. For more details about windows backup for Windows XP, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/bott_03july14.mspx
Mac OS X:
Time machine is the built-in backup system for Mac and has been included in all OS X versions since 10.5. For more details on Time Machine, visit: http://www.apple.com/macosx/what-is-macosx/time-machine.html
Linux:
There are many options for backup in Linux. One of the traditional command line utilities for backup (or file synchronization) is rsync which you would probably run as a cron job. Ubuntu, however, sports a number of GUI based backup programs such as simple backup: http://www.debianadmin.com/backup-and-restore-your-ubuntu-system-using-sbackup.html
