- You can also exclude folder from a time machine backup, so you only backup system files.
- Booting from DVD and restoring from TM backup doesn't take too long, and most of the times you're able to boot into single user mode / safe mode.
- You can still create an image of your current desktop and burn it to a DVD, but that isn't necessary because you can just boot up the install DVD and restore from there ( unless you want to share the DVD ).
- You can edit the timer so TM only backs up each 4hrs / day / week / month. It's already explained on this forum how you should do this.
- I agree, OSx86 users should be able to use the Terminal.

Personally, I went back to time machine. But of course, that's my opinion.