Consider the following scenario: * A database is accessing a large file $a on an Ext3FS, writing to it, reading from it. * While testing a backup script, the file $a is copied with rsync without prior shutdown of the database software. Here's what just happened under this scenario: $a got damaged. I'm certain that this is just a conincidence. However, my employer recalls hearing other people stating that copying around files while copying them may damage the original. I doubt that these other people have a clue, but perhaps it's me who doesn't have a clue: Are there any circumstances under which a source file in a copy operation can be damaged? -- Dipl.-Phys. Felix E. Klee Email: fk at linuxburg.de (work), felix.klee at inka.de (home) Tel: +49 721 8307937, Fax: +49 721 8307936 Linuxburg, Goethestr. 15a, 76135 Karlsruhe, Germany