# Getting Started

## Introduction

fwbackups is a feature-rich user backup program that allows you to backup your documents anytime with ease. Its simple, intuitive interface offers the following features:

- Each user of the system can configure their own backups

- On-demand or automated backups for files and folders via backup sets

- A tray icon to monitor the current progress of backups or restore operations

- Several backup engines including compression and incremental backups

- Support for backing up to a remote host via SSH/SFTP

- Support for restoring any of the backups created with fwbackups

## Starting fwbackups

There are two ways to start the fwbackups:

1. Graphically (recommended for most users):

   Select Applications System Tools fwbackups from the menu.

2. From the command line interface:

   Start a terminal, type `fwbackups` and then press the Return key.

   More options are available! Type `fwbackups --help` to see all the available options and their descriptions.

The Overview page

The Overview page

fwbackups starts on the Overview page. To begin using fwbackups, simply click a one of the toolbar buttons to switch pages.

Backup Sets

  Create, edit or remove backup sets as well as manually start a set backup.

One-Time Backup

  Perform "one-time" backups (backups that will not be scheduled to run at a future date).

Log Viewer

  Displays the log file, showing information about fwbackups's activities.

  - All log messages are formatted like this: Month DD HH:MM:SS :: severity : message

  - Messages from previous sessions are displayed as purple text

  - Messages from the current session are displayed as blue text

  - Errors and warnings are displayed as red and yellow text respectively

Restore

  Allows you to restore any backup you previously made using fwbackups.