qr-backup

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Generate paper backups for Linux. Currently command-line Linux only.

qr-backup takes file(s), and outputs a "paper backup": a printable black-and-white pdf full of QR codes. To back up your file, print the PDF. The pile of paper in your hand is now a backup of the file.

If your file is lost, corrupted, deleted, etc, you can restore from your paper backup. qr-backup reads the QR barcodes using your computer's webcam (or scanner) to get your file back.

Example Backup

Features

• Restore without qr-backup installed (!)
• Restore using webcam
• Restore using scanner
• Clear, printed instructions on what the file is and how to restore
• Automatic compression
• 3KB/page on default settings. Single-digit MB backups of text are practical
• (Optional) Password protection
• (Optional) Print multiple copies for safety
• (Optional) Print smaller, denser codes to boost storage, up to 130KB/page
• (Restore with qr-backup only) Automatic redundancy. Lose up to 30% of pages or QR codes safely
• See Command Line Options for more

Install Guide

Command Line Options

Changelog

How to Use

Making a backup

1. Run qr-backup on your file. On the Linux command-line, run qr-backup <YOUR_FILE>
2. This generates a black-and-white PDF (<YOUR_FILE>.qr.pdf)
3. Print the PDF on your printer

There are many command-line options available for advanced users. For a full list, read the USAGE doc online, or run qr-backup --help on your computer.

Restoring a paper backup

The restore process does NOT require qr-backup. It does require a command-line Linux computer.

(Option 1): Use qr-backup, if you have it.

• Webcam option
  1. Run qr-backup --restore
• Scanner option
  1. Scan images using your scanner
  2. Run qr-backup --restore IMAGES

(Option 2): Use the linux command line, if you lose qr-backup. Commands are provided in the PDF printout. You will need to install zbar.

FAQ

Paper Backups

• Should I back up to paper?
• What are the advantages of paper backups?
• How much of my backup can I lose and still restore?
• Should I encrypt (FAQpassword-protect) my backups?
• How can I protect my paper backup?

Features

• Do you support Windows?
• Do you support mac/OS X?
• How much data does this back up per page / why don't you back up more data per page?
• How do I back up more data per page?
• Why did you write qr-backup?
• Why doesn't the restore process require qr-backup?
• How exactly does the backup/restore process work?
• What are the design goals of qr-backup? / Why won't you add the feature I want?
• What license is qr-backup released under?

Competition

• What other paper backup projects exist?
• How does qr-backup compare to OllyDbg's Paperback?

Usage

• How do I back up multiple files?
• Why does qr-backup restore to stdout? / why doesn't qr-backup extract tar files?

Troubleshooting

• My self-test is failing on Ubuntu
• How do I find the maximum dimensions of my printer?
• When I print a page, part of it is cut off
• When I print the backup, the last page is rotated