Not sure about all your questions but some guys like to run AU a lot and use those as their back-ups I think, and I think but I'm not sure that yes they are identical but for the name. I believe AC recommends like once every week or two. I know it is time when everything starts crashing or freezing. Now the database needs a bit of housekeeping from AU. Also the updates run a form of AU and make pre update backups as well. But I backup my file before taking any updates, just in case just as the utility warns you to.
So after I run AU I usually do about a weeks worth of back up that now have those back up files in them, then I cut them out into the special folders I make to store them in on the machine, and then I copy those to my back up drives as well. I usually make one or two of those folders per version of AC according to how long in between updates from AC and the ones I rush to take or wait out and don't take right away. So I've got a few 3.6 ones now and I just ran AU tonight as a matter of fact because we have had two freeze ups of AC in two days now and so I felt it would be a good idea to clean up the system before I leave town tomorrow morning to go to Clarkson University for NYSAHA ice hockey official's camp for four days. Now hopefully the office will run smoother in my absence... We can hope right???
