1) For automatic backup of /home and /opt directories, filetool.lst is an option. A sample .filetool.lst is given:
home #Note: / is not required before home dire name
opt #backup /opt dire
etc/X11 #Backup all files and directories under /etc/X11
etc/X11/xorg.conf # Backup just the one file.
2) For a dry run option of filetool, use coomand :
filetool.sh -d
3) If backup file mydata.tgz is corrupted or become too big and not required for a fresh backup, it should be removed .