TheBrain 8, Database, Backups, And Your Internal Files
<p>The PersonalBrain database consists of the [BrainName].brain file and the [BrainName]_Brain folder. For PersonalBrain to be able to open your database file, both the file and folder must be in the same directory location.
The .brain file contains some xml data and points to the _brain folder. In this folder are the following Subfolders:</p>
<ul>
<li><b>brain_db</b> - Contains database files</li>
<li><b>brain_db_backup</b> - Contains backups of the database files. Created the first time you open a new brain, or a brain restored from a .brainzip.</li>
<li><b>extras</b> - Contains files created when you save an expanded view.</li>
<li><b>Files</b> - Contains the files you attached to Thoughts (internal attachments, not links). Files attached to thoughts are stored in subfolders with a GUID name specific to the thought you attached it to.</li>
<li><b>index</b> - Contains database index files.</li>
<li><b>trash</b> - Contains database trash files.</li>
<li><b>txt </b>- Contains text files created when indexing file and web contents.</li>
</ul>
<p>Also stored in the folder are various database and log files.</p>
<h2>Backing Up Your Brain</h2>
<p>Due to the complexity of PersonalBrain's database, it's usually best to create a Brainzip to back up your data. Go to File > Create Brainzip and the Create BrainZip Options window will open. You can name you file here, choose the folder to save the brainzip in, as well as if you want to include file attachments. As of 5.0.x all other options are unavailable.
If you are archiving your brain database, make sure the Include file attachments box is checked. Only attachments that are saved in PersonalBrain will be included in the Brainzip, files that are linked are not backed up.
Just like any back up procedures, you probably want to back up as frequently as possible. A good rule of thumb is to back up whenever you don't want to have to re-do all the stuff you did since you're last backup, and don't forget to keep a recent backup on a different computer/location.</p>
<h2>Restoring from a Backup</h2>
<p>If you need to restore from a backup and don't use brainzips to create your backup, never restore partial data (for example, just restoring a specific subfolder). Restore all the contents of the [BrainName].brain file and the [BrainName]_Brain folder.
To restore from a brainzip, you can either double-click on the .brainzip file and PersonalBrain should start the extraction for you, or choose<b> File > Open Brain</b> from within PersonalBrain, browse to your Brainzip, highlight it and click <b>Open</b>.
To save space, brainzips don't back up your indexing information, so after you restore your brainzip you will be prompted if you wish to re-index attached files (Core and Pro versions) and websites.</p>
<h2>Internal File Attachments</h2>
<p>Generally, its easiest to manage your internal file attachments from the Thought's Properties & Attachments window. However, if you need to access your files without using PB, you can get at them using your operating systems file browser.
PersonalBrain stores all your internal file attachments in the [BrainName]brain\Files folder in separate folders named using a GUID specific to the thought. Since it's a bit tedious to go through each GUID folder, use the search tool of your operating system to find any files. If you want to see all .pdf files, use .pdf as the file name. You can use *. for all files in the [BrainName]brain\Files folder.
</p>