Backup Strategies?

Hello All,

What strategies are people using for automated, script-based backup of
databases?  There are a few I can think of:

1. Create a "db_backup" unix user and a "db_backup" pgsql user.  Grant
READ access to all objects on all databases for the "db_backup" pgsql
user.  Create a .pgpass file in the home directory of the "db_backup" unix
user.  Backup as needed with a script run as the "db_backup" unix user.

2. Create a "db_backup" unix user and repeat above, except using the
"postgres" db user.

Thanks,
-Josh