protecting and restoring 'the System'

Hello, I wonder how I'm going to develop my backup strategy based on QRecall. Basically, I want to achieve two goals:
- safeguard my data files up to the last few hours, as well as maintain older versions of files
- being able to the restore older versions of the OS-X. I'll explain: If I run into a nasty OS-related misbehavior and then I remember that 2 weeks ago I did not yet have that issue, then I'd like to restore the OS' state of 2 weeks ago. That'd probably even include the stuff in the User's library, but certainly not the data files like those in the Documents and Pictures folders -- these should not be returned to a previous state...!

Possible with QRecall? TNX! -Martin

Both of these goals should be easily achievable with QRecall.

Martin G. Kaiser wrote:- safeguard my data files up to the last few hours, as well as maintain older versions of files

Create a capture action that captures your Documents folder (or whereever your working data files are) every hour or two.

- being able to the restore older versions of the OS-X. I'll explain: If I run into a nasty OS-related misbehavior and then I remember that 2 weeks ago I did not yet have that issue, then I'd like to restore the OS' state of 2 weeks ago.

Regularly (i.e. daily) capture your entire startup volume.

When you need to recover an earlier system, open your archive and rewind to locate the earlier set of files you want to restore. Choose View > Show Hidden Items and select the system files you want to restore (/System, /private, /usr, mach_kernel, etc). Then choose the Restore command and let QRecall get to work.

Now, while QRecall can easily let your restore any earlier set of files, restoring an earlier version of your OS without erasing your data is a little tricky. For example, the Library folders contain code and frameworks but also history and preferences. You might need to restore older plug-ins, but you probably don't want to restore your old preference files.

And anytime you are upgrading/downgrading your system files it's best to do it while booted from a second system. QRecall can perform "live" captures and restores of your booted volume, but the system can become unstable if you start replacing its resources while its running.