How do you use time machine?

I just got my MBA and I was checking out all the new features of it, however, I can view them all and see them work except Time Machine.
I can turn the app on, which it to "On" but then nothing shows up in the field to choose to back up too.
How do I use this app?
Thanks!!

So its recommended to use one external storage device per mac computer.
That's not what I said. It works and is supported to use one backup device for multiple Macs as long as they're all running Leopard and so using Time Machine (and of course you have sufficient capacity on the backup device). It's a bit iffy to use a TM backup volume for purposes other than Time Machine backups, though.
How would I format the drive for the mac? Will that happen automatically upon plugging in the external drive and firing up TM?
No. You'll need to use Disk Utility to reformat the drive.
Why do you recommend a HDD instead of a flash drive or other device for example?
Flash drives are too limited in capacity to act as a backup device for an entire system unless you keep very little on your computer. It's pretty easy to exceed the capacity of most flash drives just with photos and music, and that doesn't include backing up your operating system and applications The cost per megabyte of an external hard drive is much lower than the cost per meg of a flash drive, so for all but very small backup needs, a hard drive is usually much more cost effective.
Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer

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