Programming: Subversion and Version Control...

I don't know why I get off on Version Control. Probably has something to do with me liking things in neat tidy order because I'm inherently disorganized! You know us creative types, messes are pretty. But hey, we still have to work, and it is SO much easier to work when things are easy to keep track of. That's not to say version control takes all the thought out of managing files etc, but... at least you don't have to constantly be contemplating if you saved a copy of a file on the desktop? or somewhere else or started a new branch and ooops, you started back working on the wrong one. Whatever the case... version control makes it nice and neat. There's one place to look, you can check files out, work on them and check them back in. In fact you can lock them too, so if you forgot that you checked out a file 3 months ago, then the client decided to put that on hold. Well you started some of the work... and now, you've got the file locked so you're reminded to go find your working folder. Of course, if you trashed the folder, you, as administrator, can always unlock the project again, but... anyway

Version control is great when you work on objects (images / cad models / etc) where there are a large number of complex changes that need to be kept track of.

Of course, you can also check out the latest version, delete the repository (that's where all the history is saved with your check in notes and etc) and then create a new repository.

Best of all, there are all kinds of REALLY great open source projects that do this.

I've been using TortoiseSVN for my front end. It's integrate with the windows shell, so it's just right there when you need it. And it's visually easy to understand.

Recently, I wanted to be able to access my projects from more than one computer (laptop / desktop) and decided to set up a server. EASY PEASY!!!

Collabnet has a single install package that just sets it all up and you're ready to go! Of course, you'll need to do a little more reading and research to set it up to use security, but it's all there!

In addition, Collabnet has a plugin for both eclipse, and Visual Studio to access the SVN Server (like TortoiseSVN, but right within the IDE)

Links open in new tab/window (depending on your settings)
TortoiseSVN shell integrated front end

Collabnet's Subversion Server

AnkhSVN Visual Studio and eclipse IDE integration