for a novice wanting backup/sync GFI Backup 2009 is the one you've been looking for :)
its simple to install , not too big [8MB] and has a great user interface - plain and simple with no fancy knobs ?
might not meet the needs of a techno geek but for a novice its perfect - i've tried loads both free & paid for but found them overly complicated for backup/sync.
GFI Backup does backup[incremental/differential]/sync for folders ,e-mail etc to any media encrypted or not and zipped or not, schedule for hourly,daily,weekly,windows start/shut - what more could you want - and its free ??
really good user interface and a cracking tool