Please feel free to place this in the most suitable section of the forum. I am unsure what would be best within the framework of the system.

I currently have 2 laptops which share a wireless connection to the internet and would like to be able to set things up in order that I may backup data from both to a desktop system.

My laptop which is the prime system and the desktop both are using Ubuntu 10.04 as their OS whilst the other laptop uses Windows XP. Up until now I have been copying data from the Ubuntu laptop to the desktop by the use of an external USB hard drive. Similarly the data from the XP system is swapped about between machines using this method.

Ideally I would like to find a way where I can backup data from both laptops to the desktop without involving the third party (the USB drive). What would be the best way forward to achieve this aim.

Data from the Windows system will be either OOo or Jpgs so compatability should not be a problem. Using the desktop I would wish if possible to be able see what is on the system without the need of having to continually having to connect a monitor to it.

So far I have been able to share my printer with the XP system but I am struggling in my attempts to effect a seamless backup.

Your guidance will me most appreciated.

You don't mention what OS your desktop is running. Assuming Linux...

The most straightforward approach would be to us the same program on both Windows and Linux. For backups I prefer simple rsync scripts. You can install rsync on Windows through cygwin, in fact there is a special rsync/cygwin bundle called cwRsync. Check it out.

Many thanks for your reply Meson.

I have had a look at your suggestion and I am having difficulty in seeing how it will work for me. From what I see cwRsync works from Windows which was not what I had wished.

I was looking to be able to access the files on the XP system from my Ubuntu laptop and then be able to copy it to the laptop or to the desktop.
If I were to load cwRsync on to the X machine then I am confident that this would cause no end of confusion. My level with Ubuntu is that of gradually finding my way with how things work. So far I have heard of scripts but have no idea of what they do or how I would apply them.

Can you offer a simpler method for a baffled individual.

Thanking you in anticipation

You mean you just want network shares? When you say "backup" I think a regularly scheduled routine which mirrors data between all three. If you just want to _share_ the data as needed (an copy if you so desire) then you want to set up samba (also known as cifs) on the Linux machines.

I think we are getting backup issue and file transfer/shares kind of mixed up maybe?

For file transfer ideas may be ftp, http, or samba/cifs. You can choose.

For backup, some sort of file based method maybe on a schedule.

My thanks to you both for your kind assistance.

When I stated backup it was with the intent of storing particularly photographs on the basis of having a duplicate set available as a secure source of information in the event of any hard disk problems.

What I wished was to be able to access the XP system from Ubuntu and perform this as and when required.

I will look into your suggestions and see how I get on.

Thanks again

If you create a shared folder on XP, you can access it on Ubuntu. I don't even think you need to install anything extra. Just go to Places > Network and browse for the share. If you want a more permanent mount, use CIFS in /etc/fstab and create a mount at /media/my_xp_machine