Well said.

Sounds like rsync on a cron job. Or a timed batch file backup with "changes only" option selected. I haven't set one up like that since the 486 days, but it certainly isn't new or Apple only. I had a setup like that configured to backup a law firm I used to do contract work for; every night the modem would call my system and download changes only to my backup device. This created an off site backup and only took about 5 min a night. We didn't have broadband everywhere back then, around 1990.

Your wanting to have choices is exactly the point. Buy Apple and you are afforded all the choices THEY offer/filter/censor. Buy another product and be limited to all of the choices available that are compatible, not filtered or censored. Currently, you have more choices with the Apple product, however they may not have quality functionality for most of them - Flashlight, Finger Hold Game, etc...

These are choices but I prefer to use products that warn me of potential difficulty and allow me to make mistakes.

That is good to know. I did not realize that "Time Machine" was more than a settings backup. However, the combination of a full backup to secondary media and system restore points contained therein would amount to basically the same. Again, this combination has been around a long time. In fact, simply dating the backup tapes, disks or otherwise can accomplish the same. Apple put a nice interface and a cool name on it. I like the cool name and always appreciate a clean interface.

I don't like calling something by a new name and claiming it is unique as if there is no other comparable option for getting the same result. There are also many third party software programs that have been around many years on the PC side to do this job, however lacking a cool name and slick interface.

I've noticed the same thing. I love that they are the only company with "Time Machine" because MS uses "System Restore" which is clearly a different name. However, if you try and explain to an Apple fan that they are essentially the same only "System Restore" has been around a lot longer, they just move right along with conversation like you didn't say anything. It is amazing. If you try and point out that Apple is basically selling them an expensive UI on a free OS platform, they insist that Apple invented it. If you point out that all the hardware is now PC compatible components, they again insist that they are not the same. The only difference I see is the blessing and Apple logo on the box. I figure it just takes a few years for a cult to really gain momentum. Now, I don't think Apple is evil. Lots of companies charge extra for their label. Car companies have entire divisions that are the added frills for twice the price - Honda and Acura, Toyota and Lexus come to mind. You do get a little more for the extra money, but not enough to justify designer prices for standard components in a shiny box. IMHO.