CopyDoubler: True Multi tasking in the Finder?



Author: Pete Krueger

Date: March, 1994

Keywords: file copy copies fifth generation systems scheduled

Text:
     CopyDoubler is a program that touts the ability to: copy two to
five times faster than the standard Macintosh Finder; fast delete
files; and que multiple, scheduled copy functions, trans-parently, in
the background while you work. The program also has the ability to
perform ''fast replace'' backups that selectively replace only your
files that you have changed since your last backup.
          CopyDoubler version 2.0.1 is published by Fifth Generation
Systems, the same people that make Fastback Plus, AutoDoubler,
Disk-Doubler, Suitcase,                SuperLaserSpool and other
programs. Symantec has recently bought Fifth Generation Systems. Fifth
Generation Systems products come "satisfaction guaranteed", for one
year, and a toll free 800 number for tech support. Way to go! When I
called to see how long it might take to get through to tech support on
New Year's Eve, it took only five minutes one time, and one and a half
minutes, the other. 
          This one-disk-program installs with typical "MacEase" and is
a 150K control panel that acts like an enhanced channel of the Finder.
An easy to read manual comes included. By enhanced, I mean it makes
your Finder have two discreet channels capable of independent use.
System requirements are MacPlus or newer, System 7 and 2 MB RAM. List
price is $59.95, street price $39.95. I did find this program available
bundled with DiskDoubler and AutoDoubler for a street price of $79.95
          Getting down to business, I noticed a lengthening of my
boot-up after installing and wondered how much time I was actually
going to save using this utility. Of particular interest to me was
background copying and back-ups across hard drives.
          I decided to get right down to the basic time trials using a
5.5 MB Photoshop file as my bench-mark with my P600CD. First, I copied
the file within a folder without CopyDoubler by selecting it and using
''command D''. Then I turned CopyDoubler on and tried it again. It took
less than half the time with CopyDoubler. The time savings on this file
size was :32 seconds for me, from 1:02 to :30 seconds. The ground
started shaking and I had to call my wife and let her know we now had
time for that sojourn I've been promising her. (Seriously, for large
graphics files every minute adds up.) Next, I took that 5.5 MB
Photoshop file and copied it to my Syquest drive using the Finder
without CopyDoubler. It took 1: 23 minutes. Then I took that same file
and tried it with CopyDoubler with 'verification' on and it took 1: 20.
The ground certainly didn't start shaking on that result, so I tried it
with verification off and now the program shaved off 33 seconds to :
50. At this point I'd like to mention another safety feature of
CopyDoubler; that is, the option to verify data to any type of disk,
not just to floppies, the way the Finder does.
          By now I had quite a few copies of this test file in my
trash, so I deleted all 25 MB in the blink of an eye. No double takes
on that one, no dialog box either; just GONE, very fast. "Honey, look
at this.....  
     Oh, never mind." As I continued to use CopyDoubler, I noticed that
the number of files deleted was the determining factor in how fast the
deletions occurred. Three 5 MB files disappeared much faster than
fifteen files that equaled that same 5 MB.
          Next I tried the background copy test. Using the Finder, I
started that test file a copyin' to the Syquest while I immediately
went to the application menu and switched to Quark XPRESS, (already
open), and opened and closed and opened and closed and saved and closed
and opened and...... well, you get the picture. Anyway, the Finder did
complete the test in the background, but when I tried to open an
application that wasn't open already, it would not open. When I
switched to CopyDoubler I was able to fully use the dual channel of the
Finder and was able to open Quark and start writing this review while
also copying my test file. I wasn't sure if my version of System 7.1
Pro's ''the Launcher'', (a Square One type utility which Apple says
does application masking), was blocking my opening of other
applications, so I decided to disable ''the Launcher'' and try it
again. After I removed ''the Launcher'', I tried the same scenario
again with Copy-Doubler disabled; the Finder was only able to open
another application in straight chrono-logical sequence. One thing I
did discover in trying to do multi- tasking with CopyDoubler was that
you can't empty the trash while performing another copy. A particularly
interesting use of CopyDoubler is the ability to copy a floppy and
rename it at the same time.
          CopyDoubler also has some very useful backup copy scheduling
features, including automatically adding suffixes to scheduled copies.
If you wish you can schedule copies to take place at system events,
keyboard shortcuts, periodic intervals, or by calendar to the closest
quarter hour. I was successful at scheduling copies and all were
executed flawlessly. I didn't experience any failures or INIT conflicts
with CopyDoubler and it executed all its promised user selectable
sounds right on cue. Version 2.0.1 is the update of version 2 which
fixed a few bugs; if you have version 2.0 there is a free updater
available in the update folder available on our User Group's BBS,
SMUGgler's. :-} 
          I would recommend CopyDoubler for powerusers who work with
large graphic files or for someone who does not have a backup
scheduling program available. 
     I have decided to keep this program loaded and running so my wife
and I can enjoy all these extra minutes on the beach or at our favorite
haunts, once they all add up.  <g>
     

Copyright © march, 1994 by Pete Krueger