Backing up and restore can be a problem but I have recently found that xtar (free from Helios) is a wonderful solution to this problem.Not only does it preserve resource fork but also ownership.
if you create an archive using -cPf
xtar cPf /hold/archive1.tar /Users/william/Desktop/PantherStuff
when you restore using
xtar -xvPf /hold/archive1.tar
it restores everything where it came from.
I am working on a gui interface, but in the meantime the CLI works well.
HELIOS Xtar can be downloaded via HELIOS WebShare at:
Server: http://webshare.helios.de User name: tools Password: tools
Ed Note: There are a number of ways to back up resource forks. Xtar is just one. Also take a look at hfstar, ditto, and using disk images to backup and compress your files.
by 
now THAT is what I call a helpful comment!
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MacOutfitters of Cranberry, PA
“Fixing my mistakes, one server at a time”
what about hfspax? Some real nice options there too including the ability to file
copies.