Manage updates with the Download App
CNET Editors' review
TimeMachineEditor is a free, simple application that lets you change the default setting for your Mac's Time Machine hourly backups.
TimeMachineEditor lets you set a new hourly interval, or even specify multiple calendar intervals for hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly backups--whether you want daily backups at 2 a.m., weekly backups at a certain time every weekend, or any other possible combination. You can also set Time Machine to automatically back up when disks are mounted or when the computer wakes from sleep.
Time Machine's default setting may be adequate for most users, but for certain situations--for example, if you frequently deal with large files that don't require backup, or if multiple Macs are sharing the same backup drive and your network becomes extremely slow during backups--TimeMachineEditor provides an easy way to get more control over Time Machine.
Publisher's Description
From Time Software:
Change the one-hour interval of Time Machine backups. You can change the interval or decide to make daily, weekly and monthly backups.
TimeMachineEditor does not modify existing system files at all. Instead it handles its own scheduling to trigger Time Machine backups when you want them to occur.
What's new in this version:
- Fix minor interface issue
- Japanese localization
-
All versions:
4.0 starsout of 32 votes
-
Current version:
3.8 starsout of 9 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
Results 1-9 of 9
-
"Doesn't work."
Version: TimeMachineEditor 2.5.3
Pros
Easy to configure. Nice idea.
Cons
Doesn't work. I configured TimemachineEditor to have Time Machine backups run only at 5:00pm daily. Time Machine still wakes up my Mac at 3:30am, lighting up the room. Why Apple didn't include basic scheduling, I don't see.
Summary
Pointless.
-
"Give YOU control over the backup schedule"
Version: TimeMachineEditor 2.5.3
Pros
Works flawlessly.
Cons
A one-trick pony, but it does it's trick extremely well.
Summary
Basically, you turn TM off and then TimeMachine Editor replaces you to do "manual" TM backups. You decide your backup schedule in any combination of daily, weekly and monthly backups, with more than one backup per category.
Now I use TM Editor to do daily backups at 4-hour intervals, as well as a weekly and a monthly backup. For redundancy, I use SuperDuper on another disk to do a monthly bootable backup. -
"One of Time Machine's missing features"
Version: TimeMachineEditor 2.5.3
Pros
Gives you actual control over when you want backups, unlike Apple's "we know best" attitude. Over a wireless G network, and on a 3 year old MB Pro, hourly backups are a pain and can slow things down. This free app eliminates that issue.
Cons
Documentation is lacking. Just by trial and error, I figured out I need to turn the system preferences control panel for TM to OFF to make this work (this is on the website, but not the app). So, it loses one star for that, as I almost deleted it.
Summary
You're getting more than you're paying for. Note to developers: We still need better ways of excluding files from TM.
-
"Never could get it to work."
Version: TimeMachineEditor 2.5.3
Pros
None that I can ascertain.
Cons
Need to improve install instructions.
Summary
Don't bother to down load.
-
"Simple, does what it says, no glitch."
Version: TimeMachineEditor 2.5.3
Pros
See summary above ;-)
Cons
One might want even *more* control over Time machine... but hell, this certainly is one feature that was missing!
-
"But does it delete the oldest backups on a full disc?"
Version: TimeMachineEditor 2.5.3
Pros
Works like a charm
Cons
I'm bothered by my initial question.
-
"Works as advertised!"
Version: TimeMachineEditor 2.5.3
Pros
Easy to use. Gives you more granular control over Time Machine's default schedule.
Cons
You aren't backed up hourly, if that's important to you.
Summary
When I have Photoshop CS4, Dreamweaver, Fireworks and a browser or two running, this utility prevents system slowdowns from TM's default hourly incremental backup. If I were running a four or eight core Mac Pro, that might not be a big deal, but I'm using a MacBook Pro with only 2 GB RAM, so TM's constant interruptions during the work day were becoming a real pain until I found this utility! Prior to that, the simplest option was to turn TM off, but that didn't seem any smarter than Apple not giving us more control from within Time Machine in the first place. I hear TM's default interval can be changed with the command line in Terminal (http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/08/terminal-tip-change-time-machine-backup-interval/), but most people aren't comfortable with that for good reason. TimeMachineEditor offers more control than just changing the interval. Not only can you have Hourly, Daily, Weekly or Monthly intervals, you can combine multiple interval types to achieve whatever backup schedule best suits your work schedule. Great utility, unbeatable price. What's not to like?
-
"does what it purports to do - good!"
Version: TimeMachineEditor 2.5.3
Pros
free of charge
Cons
doesn't mesh seamlessly with timemachine preference panel
-
"Works great."
Version: TimeMachineEditor 2.5.3
Pros
Works perfectly.
Cons
Nothing.I works!
Summary
Time Machine Editor works just like it says. I have it set to back up once a day and it always does.
Results 1-9 of 9
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Full Specifications
What's new in version 2.5.3
- Fix minor interface issue
- Japanese localization
General
- Download Type:
- CNET Secure Download
- Publisher
- Time Software
- Publisher Web Site
- http://timesoftware.free.fr/
- Release Date
- January 31, 2010
- Date Added
- January 31, 2010
- Version
- 2.5.3
Category
- Category
- Desktop Enhancements
- Subcategory
- Tweaks Software
System Requirements
- Operating Systems
- Mac OS X 10.5 PPC, Mac OS X 10.5 Intel, Mac OS X 10.6 Intel, Mac OS X 10.6
- Additional Requirements
-
- Mac OS X 10.5 - 10.6
Download Information
- File Size
- 659.3K
- File Name
- TimeMachineEditor.dmg
Popularity
- Total Downloads
- 11,718
- Downloads Last Week
- 33
Pricing
- License Model
- Free
- Limitations
- Not available
- Price
- Not available
Previous Versions
More Products to Consider
-
Control fans of your intel mac to cool it down, monitor temp. -
Adds AirPrint support to many third-party printers. -
Remove unwanted language resources from OS X and installed apps... -
Access hidden preferences settings. -
Tweak the annoying changes in OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. -
Makes the color of your computer's display adapt to the time of... -
Forces windows to be full screen when you click the green butto... -
Menu extras: CPU, disk, memory & network monitoring. -
Control your MacBook's fans.
