Backup vs duplicate (copy)?

I have a silly question to which I wasn't able to dig out an answer so here comes:
if I use a backup software (Retrospect Express to be more exact) and I have put all my C-drive on portable HD in backup format, and suppose I need to access my files from another computer - I need to have the Retrospect software there to restore and read them, right?
In that case, why is it that many sites suggest to backup rather than duplicate, even though duplicated files you can read with a greater ease at any other computer (which you would have to do in case your own crashes, g-d forbid)

 

When you mention backup, I would assume you mean burning files on media disk such as CD or DVD, which is more portable and can be read in many computers. Generally speaking, the term of backing up files is some specific files that you won't be needing modified, accessed, kept in case of emergency and you need those files in retrievable manner, but in the mean time those files won't be lost due to mechanical failure. Hard Drive componets involve with read head and other mechanical parts, but read head is especally suspectible to failure and generally unreliable. We've had heard unfortunate events happened in relate with hard drive failure time to time
My friend works as server administrator in realtor company and his job is to ensure all server raids running well and backup files daily on tape. Copying files is to distribute or spread out data in a accessible, editable way, but they're proned to mechanical problem if files are stored on hard drive.

 

Yes, I know what you mean. I prefer to 'Duplicate' onto a 500gb external rather than rely on a backup program.

 

It depends what you are trying to "save"

I backup all my programs and OS, reason being I would never want/need to access them from another computer (nor, with most programs, would it be possible). I duplicate most of my files, that way I can access them from wherever, whenever.

 

These responses are junk. Hey everybody RTFQ and then ATFQ.

"Backup to portable media".....false you can backup to a hard drive.

So here's the Q again.

What's the diff?

I would rather make a duplicate on another hard drive because I don't want to have to relyy on a triple secret Bil Gates decoder ring just to get the files back a'la "Restore"....

I just want to EASILY "back-up or copy or duplicate" (I don't care what you call it" all of my files.... ALL of my files.

I have a program "Vice Versa Pro" which has been running for THREE DAMN DAYS to copy a 120 gig hard drive to another larder hard drive IN THE SAME COMPUTER ...ON THE SAME IDE BUS.

There has GOT to be an easier way.

 

Hey JaxMut123,

Ya want help here? LTFA.

Gary