"I have a PhD in computer science so I may just know what I am talking about."
Then here's the Developer's Forum:
https://help.developer.intuit.com/s/
I've been using and supporting QB since V3, so I know a little about it. You might want to know that QB is built on Sybase. I have a programming background and used SyBase and QB before Intuit moved to the SyBase engine for QB 2007, released in 2006 (if we need to share professional experience details to frame the discussion). Then, there was a reprogramming in QB 2013 and the last year you could allow the program to Host the file, even if you didn't mind the Floating Host errors, was QB 2014. From QB 2015 forward, the file needs to be Managed.
"What doesn't work is the backup process."
I make a backup after every work session; then that is Copied to Dropbox. It's that easy. Make sure to use the setting for Full Verification.
"It is clear that Intuit have built in some kind of protection that prevents this scenario. The only motivation is that they offer their own (paid) hosted service that they want to force their customer to use."
OMG, please drop the conspiracy. You seem to be having a Systems problem. As a peer user that also consults, we Resolve our computer system problems. There is no "protection" preventing this. You have some sort of Issue to Resolve. Many of us make backups All Day just Fine.
"You are correct that QB apparently does not work on a cloud drive, but not for the reasons you give. It doesn't work because Intuit deliberately prevent it from working"
You really intend to Debate not only peer users, but the Intuit people that are here and trying to help you, and all you see is Conspiracy. That's a bit rude on the community forum hosted by Intuit, where you could actually get Help on this issue that seems to be something to do with what you are Trying. There is no Conspiracy and you are not being prevented from protecting your own data. I make a backup after every work session and every file I work in, and I have used them to Recover From in the case of damage or changing computers.
"No, you're wrong."
Yeah, sure we are. Uh, no: We're not wrong with how to use it. We also are not responsible for Why it is programmed how it is programmed. We could have helped with your Backup Issue. And you could have been a nice addition to the peer user community, given your knowledge. But, it might be time to go elsewhere if you simply want to bring up conspiracy theories. The rest of us are trying to run businesses and help each other and learn from each other.
