What size for Time Machine

Hi, I am backing up my iMac to a WD Mybook with 500 Go space.
The iMac hard drive has 235 Go on it right now.
I have been backing up with TM since June and the Mybook is now full.
Is this normal?
I seem to remember before, TM did not take up so much space so quickly.
Thanks.

Russa wrote:
.. you might want to limit the folders that are included in the back-up. For instance, I only back-up my user folders. I do not back-up application or system folders. (I acknowledge TM only does incremental or "what's changed" back-ups.) You can accomplish this by selecting "exclude these files" in the TM setup on our Mac.
That's not a good idea. Excluding system and application folders won't save much space (under about 10 gb), but it will make doing a full restore from your TM backups impossible.
When your internal HD fails (and they all do, sooner or later), you'd have to first install the OS from your Install disc; set-up your users, configuration, network settings, etc.; migrate or restore your data; download and install the "combo" Software Update to bring your OS current; and reinstall any 3rd-party software (possibly having to re-enter license codes); then hope you didn't miss anything. Major hassle for minor space saving.

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