Well, since I’m now rebuilding my MacBook 2014 for the third time and the MacBook Pro 2010 for the second, it’s time once again to think about backups. I have not used Time Machine for years because the MacOS has been so stable, but with these old machines and the use of OpenCore Legacy Patcher, I’m finding that rebooting is pretty unstable. So time once again to remember how the Time Machine works.
When AirPort Extremes were a thing, you had a 1TB drive and an easy way just to back up changes to your Mac. But with the advent of the App Store and easy reinstallation (and the fact that I haven’t rebuilt Macs literally for a decade), I’ve not had to use it.
But keeping these old machines alive means more stability issues. Yes, it is sort of crazy to use a 14-year-old (?!!) machine still, but the hardware is so good that it is only the software that is a little unstable. I’m amazed the geniuses at OLCP have gotten the drivers to work and it will be sad when Apple stops doing Intel processor updates.
In the meantime, to remind you, Synology does support Time Machine backups and the steps are pretty easy:
- Create a Time Machine folder on the Synology in Control Panel > Shared Folders
- Then in Control Panel > File Services > Advanced > Bonjour > Enable Time Machine Broadcast via SMB
- Then click on “Set Time Machine folders” and click on the new folder you just created
Now back on your Mac, go to System Settings > General > Time Machine and choose the plus sign and that folder should appear. Voila, backups should start
camp: Duffel bags
We are contemplating a long trip in an RV (our first time ever doing this!), so we are flying down and need literally 10 duffel bags to pack everything that we need. Here are some recommendations from Outdoor Gear Lab:
- Patagonia Black Hole. When we were first shopping the Northface was on top, but right now they like the Patagonia. A little more expensive at $199 at REI for the 70 liter ($220 at Amazon)
- Northface Base Camp. We have two of these and they are terrific at $160
- Gregory Alpaca. These are the low price picks, the Alpaca 60 is just $120 on Amazon so about half the price of the nice Patagonia ones.
We love our Northface’s, but will try the Gregory and the Patagonia when it goes on sale.
