It would be very useful to be able to open a backup version of Raiser's Edge to be able to view/retrieve specific items that may have been deleted in the current version. Right now you have to replace your current version entirely with the backup version, losing everything you've done since the backup. There has to be an easier way.
Have you thought about the repercussions of what will happen when a user is working in back-up as if it were live copy?
There could be constant warnings (when opening records etc) when using a non-production database, including something prominent in the main interface.
I use backups now and then (sometimes from months ago) to retrieve lost data (but it's not something I'd let just anyone do).