rsync is a very powerful program, but it contains a maze of twisty little options, all different, and sometimes I find I've messed things up long after it happened. I'm writing down typical incantations here.

Cloning file systems

• Use . (directory), not * to avoid file names starting with - from confusing rsync.
• H preserves links; otherwise it would make a copy for every name a file has.
• a is the “archive” mode that does all sorts of things.
• v is verbose, so I can see what is happening.
• x sticks to current file system.

Don't use -L here; it will create additional files from symlinks.

Backing up file systems

rsync -av --delete-after /src/$i $dumpfs/$me-$os

Backing up video

rsync > /tmp/rsyncerrs -LHav --partial --delete-after /spool/Already /spool/Docco destination
# or
cd /teevee/spool
# don't try to sync .snap or ..sujournal
rsync -LHav --partial --delete-after * /spool | tee /tmp/rsyncerrs