Considering how much hype surrounded Time Capsule and the apparently seamless way it integrates into OSX, it is surprising that not more attention has been focused on the obvious incompatibility between itself and File Vault. Although Time Capsule is intended for data integrity and File Vault intended for data security, it would seem logical that using both together would be the ideal solution - secure data that is backed up incrementally. This unfortunately, is not the case. Having a user directory secured by File Vault means that no incremental Time Capsule backups can occur unless the user logs out of his/her current session. WTF !!! You can have either Time Capsule back ups, or you can have secure user directories with File Vault, but not both. For those who think that logging out to perform backups is a viable work around, let me remind you that syncing is incredibly time consuming (doubly so for an encrypted disk image). Data integrity and security should not be mutually exclusive issues. If the recent spate of data losses/breaches escalates, it will be no great leap to steal confidential data from personal Time Capsules (specially from the technically inept). More worrying is the idea of your backups being used by authorities for the purposes of self-incrimination.

Not all is lost. Apple promises Snow Leopard (10.6) to be a performance and stability release. With any luck, they will be able to fit in the time to rectify this egregious oversite. The best of both worlds would provide a true universal backup solution. I christen thee Time Vault.