Some basic examples of how to use SVN as a backup system.

Install SVN:

sudo apt-get install subversion

How to create a backup:

mkdir ~/backup
cd ~/backup
mkdir yourcomputername

Copy all the files and folders you want to backup to yourcomputername:

svn import https://svn.yoursvnserver.com:9443/svn/yoursvnfolder/yourcomputername

How to add everything in the folder to SVN:

cd ~/backup
svn add --force * --auto-props --parents --depth infinity -q

How to commit everything that was saved in the backup folder:

svn commit /home/yourusername/backup/yourcomputername -m "yourcomputername backup"

Recovering Backup from SVN Server:

mkdir ~/work
cd ~/work
svn checkout https://svn.yoursvnservername.com:9443/svn/yoursvnfolder/yourcomputername