With rsync --link-dest, how can you tell how much space is actually used?

[Eric Shubert]

On 10/22/2011 12:32 PM, Kevin Korb wrote:
> 2.  I wanted to know what files were unique to a backup and therefore
> consuming disk space and why they were different.

Which begs another question that I've struggled a bit with lately.

I've considered making a series of snapshots by using --link-dest, and 
moving(/copying) the backup directory prior to (in between) each run.
Once that's done, and there are several snapshots and thus files with 
link counts of up to the number of snapshots, how can I tell how much 
space is being used by all of the snapshots (and current backup) put 
together, counting each file only once. du doesn't appear to cut it. ;)

I think I have a solution, but am curious to know what others may think 
of the problem.

-- 
-Eric 'shubes'