Do I need to back up my iMac on an external hard drive?

I have Time Machine operating so I wonder if it is a waste of an external hard drive to back everything up.  My computer is just over a year old.   Any advice welcomed!
Thanks,
Emshee

Well, if you throw something in the trash from an external hard drive, you do need to empty the trash while that drive is still attached - otherwise you do not regain the space.
As for keeping old backups: I've developed my own system - I archive (so to speak) my important personal and financial info for the entire year on two DVDs and then I get rid of it on the computer (therefore also on my bootable clones). You may want to keep more than that - personally I don't need it.
A bootable clone is an exact copy = clone of your entire system on an external hard drive - the advantage is that it is bootable. If your hard drive dies, plug in your bootable clone, boot from it, and you're back in business in a few minutes. If you need to reinstall Mountain Lion, clone it back from your clone. Infinite uses. Like WZZZ, I do not use Time Machine - I prefer being in charge of what gets backed up and when. I have no need to get things backed up every hour.

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    toekoms wrote:
    I currently back up my imac via time machine but to reduce space on my hard drive I want to move my itunes library onto an external hard drive. If i do this can time machine still back up my imac and the external hard drive with the itunes library on automatically?
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    also, as for moving your iTunes library, see this read for tips/instructions.
    JGG
    edited by the Jolly Green Giant (where Green stands for environmentally friendly)

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    sydababy wrote:
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    follow here:
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    The Tragedy that will be, the tragedy that never should be
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