Information management software firm Memeo has released a Mac-based version of its automatic content management 
and backup software already available for PC users.
Although Memeo is calling the product LifeAgent 2.0, this is the first issue of the company's Mac-based product. LifeAgent 1.0 is for PCs.
The Mac version of LifeAgent helps users track and safeguard digital files with similar features to the PC version. It was designed from the ground up to take advantage of the capabilities of Macintosh computers, the company said.
"The last three or four years we see a huge demographic involving digital content. Users' photos, music and video files need to be backed up and stored more conveniently," Hong Bui, CEO and cofounder of Memeo, told MacNewsWorld.
To meet this new content demand, Memeo rebuilt its engine to allow for better handling of these new digital file types, he said.
"Think of LifeAgent as an assistant for your digital life. Tell it what files are you want to protect, and it will dutifully and invisibly take care of the rest," said Bui.
Flexible Use
LifeAgent works on any available storage solution, including USB hard drives and USB thumb drives, iPods, NAS devices or online storage sites. It also allows users to share photos online through Shutterfly, an online photo printing and storage Web site.
Additional features of Memeo LifeAgent include the Smart Picks setup wizard. This allows users to locate documents and music located across the computer and Mac-specific applications -- such as iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie, Mac mail, calendar and PM info -- as well as Safari bookmarks and settings.
The LifeAgent feature is the User Interface, which shows the status of all continuous backups.
LifeAgent's search feature lets users search by name, file type, directory, backup location, or a combination of search criteria, and restore files to their original folder or a new location. The program also lets users maintain multiple versions of a file.
LifeAgent also includes the ability to create password-encrypted backup plans for added security.
How It Works
With a simple, three-step setup process, users identify what files are important and where they want to store them as backup files. LifeAgent works in the background to automatically share, synchronize and secure the selected digital content while saving changes made to any document.
Users can set up work files, entertainment files and files needed for mobile use, said Bui. The user can also designate different backup locations for different categories of files.
"Once you set it up, you never have to manually synchronize files again," he explained.
LifeAgent 2.0 works with all Macintosh platforms from OS X and higher.
Online Storage
Memeo provides the option to store selected backup files online. Unlike other online backup products, however, LifeAgent users can configure the options to store only designated files online as added security.
"We have a different philosophy for online backups. It is not always practical to back up everything to an online archive," noted Bui. "We provide the capability to be selective with files sent online."
LifeAgent users can duplicate digital files and store selected types of files on the Memeo storage site. Memeo sells one-half a GB of online storage for US$2.95 per month. Additional storage capacity is available incrementally and priced accordingly.
Memeo LifeAgent 2.0 is available for $29.95 from Memeo's Web site. It is also available via retail outlets and online retailers.
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