Need program to do some form of synchronization.

I work on 3 computer and have a 4th server drive. I back up 90%of my work onto a flash drive but I have a subfolder for each computer and the drive. I.e., I can store info on one of 4 laptops and then back it up on its subfolder. But I would like to make sure that some items will be on other laptops and their back up.

I would like to pick a folder on one drive (e.g., the HD of one laptop) and compare it to its back folder on my flash drive.

I would then like the program to automatically copy files that are in that folder that are only in one of the drives (i.e., the files are only on the back-up but not on the HD of the laptop -- or vice versa) and copy them to the other drive's folder that doesn't have them.

If both folders have a copy of the file but one has a later version than the other, I would like the program to automatically update the one with the older version. I don't want 2 copies made -- i.e., I don;t want the program to make two copies of the files labeling them one and 2 where one is the older one and 2 is the more recent one.

Is there such a program? One that is really good and reliable? I am willing to pay for one if it is really good.

 

Easy to use:

MS SyncToy v2.0

Online:

MS Live Mesh

 

Yep, can't beat SyncToy, in my environment.

cheers ...

 

Justitia,

I did a comparison of most of the sync apps back about four years ago and settled on SureSync.

http://www.softwarepursuits.com/suresync/SureSync.asp

At that time I mixed my work environment between a desktop and a laptop (still do). Sometimes I added, edited, deleted files on one machine. The next day on the other. I wanted something to handle that sort of environment. Most CANNOT do that.

Take this scenario. Day 1, I create a new file on the desktop machine called ABC.DOC. End of day I sync. That evening on the laptop the ABC.DOC file is there I edit it. Day 2 arrive back at the office. I sync. On the desktop machine I then open the same ABC.DOC file and my edits are there. I make more changes but then decide to change the file name to XYZ.DOC. End of day, I sync. With MOST sync tools what would happen is the newly named XYZ.DOC file would be copied to the laptop, and the OLD ABC.DOC file still on the laptop would be copied to the desktop machine. SureSync recognizes that the old ABC.DOC file on the laptop is no longer needed and deletes it from the laptop. How? It keeps a database of the contents of both machines. It uses this database to realize that the file was there on the laptop at the last sync and since it is now no longer on the desktop it needs to be removed. (They call this mode of operation Multi-Mirror.) And that is just one mode of operation.

You can set up any number of relationships between multiple machines, I have one that keeps the Documents folder in sync across the laptop, desktop and a share on my server (so things get backed up to tape nightly). Each relationship can detail the directories, file types and sync rules (modes) you want to use.

Best damn $69 I ever spent. They have a more expensive server version, but the $69 "workstation license" is all I use.

If the three machines and the server can all see each other on a network, you can eliminate the flash drive entirely and with a single relationship keep all four in sync with the push of a button.

One more IMPORTANT distinction. With SureSync you can run any relation in "preview" mode and it will show you the changes it would make WITHOUT making them. So you can easily test or review stuff BEFORE it is too late.

Gary

 

I think SyncToy does all that too. It has the "Preview" mode as well, and it creates a database file too, to keep tabs of what's going on in both the folders.

 

The last time I looked at SyncToy (admittedly some time ago) it could not do a MultiMirror type sync. And I don't think it handled a relationship between more than two machines. It's been a while, so I am not saying that with ANY certainty. I have been so happy with the power of SureSync I haven't bothered to re-evaluate the other tools in awhile.

Gary

 

I don't know what a MutliMirror sync is, but I can check it out whether it does it or not if you want me to.

As for handling a relationship between more than two machines, do you mean syncing 1 folder over, let's say, 4 machines?

From SyncToy's help file -

 

MultiMirror is what SureSync calls the scenario I mentioned above.
I did a quick look at the SyncToy page on the Microsoft website and it does indeed now handle "MultiMirror" types of Sync. And the preview looks good too. Neither of those were in the last release I looked at.

I don't see any indiction, though, that it can sync one folder over three or more machines at one time. That is what I do with SureSync every day. And one relation can actually include a list of folders.

Gary

 

Yes, I uploaded an image from SyncToy's help file a bit later in my post above, depicting the kind of scenario you mentioned.

 

Thanks both of you ScuderiaConchiglia and Silas Awaketh, for your info and being able to watch the discussion.

I am not sure which to get. I tend to like the "newer" items b/c I find the take into account some unexpected tid bit of software that the older one won't. That said, XP SP3 is on all my machines and I never even once dabbled in Vista.

So are these programs upgraded regularly?

It sounds, ScuderiaConchiglia, that you've got my problem nailed completely. Does it make difference that I use a flash drive to back up my files and carry them to the other machine. My 2 laptops are in 2 different places and the 3rd is in my office and the 4th -- the server drive is accessible from anywhere I can get on-line but I back it up too on my flash drive.

So for example, I am working on computer A, I want to use the sync to modify computer A's back-up with everything I worked on computer A. I assume no problem there. Then there are certain folders on computer A Back-up that I want to sync with the same folders on Computer B & C''s back-up that are on the same flash drive. Then I go to computer B and I want to sync Computer B's back-up with computer B and similarly with Computer C.

I(t seems I can do all of that with both programs. Is there any reason to prefer one over the other?

Code:

 

Why don't you use your network (Lan) to sync everything. Microsoft Live Sync does this automatically and it uses your LAN or your internet (if you're syncing outside of your Lan). Don't you find it annoying to carrying flashdrive to transfer data from point a to point b?

 

Price. SyncToy is free and SureSync is $69. From the sounds of it you never really have a need to sync machine to machine. You are always syncing machine to flash drive in every case. Sync Toy looks like it will do this well and cost you nothing. Now that it has a preview mode, I'd suggest you get it an try it out.

If you wanted to sync machine to machine AND were doing so with more than two machines at the same time, I'd have to recommend SureSync. I use it, as I said, with my laptop connected on my office network to simultaneously sync the laptop, desktop and folder on the server, all in one fell swoop. But It doesn't sound like you need that.

Gary

 

Windows live sync and windows live mesh pretty much does the samething (If not better) for free. Also, they allow you remotely access your data anywhere around the world with internet. With live mesh, you have the option of syncing when your source computer is turned off. I doubt suresync can't do that. With microsoft's free programs, it's tightly integrated with the operating system. E.g. if you want to backup something, simply right click the file and click sync. The program will take care of the rest.

Anyways.. why recommend something that cost $70 when there's "better" ones with more features out there for free?

 

Did you even bother to read what I wrote? Apparently not. After reviewing the updated info on SyncToy, I suggested she use that free tool from Microsoft. I only suggested that SureSync would be a better fit, if she was trying to sync three machines simultaneously, which is precisely what I am doing and why SureSync is a better fit for me. Live Sync can't do that.

The other reason to use SyncToy or SureSync is speed. Why would I want to involve a server in the cloud with this process when all machines are on the same 100 mb network? Doing that would throttle the process back to ADSL speeds. The cloud solution is a GREAT idea, if the machines are not on the same physical network, but a lousy one when they are.

Gary

 

Clearly, this is a misunderstanding. I've read what you've wrote carefully. I use live mesh everyday, so I'm very familiar with its capabilities.

SureSync is not any beter fit than Live Sync. Although live sync can't do multicast (one of the capability of live Mesh), Live sync can definetly sync 3 or even 100 machines simultaneously. Live mesh has the option of involving a cloud server for offline syncing, but it's not required. Both live mesh and live sync can sync through lan, whether its 10/100/1000/10000Mbit/s, it doesn't matter. Both Live sync and Live mesh can also sync through multiple lan network as well as through the internet without using cloud servers.

There are several other advantages over suresync as well.
1) It's fully automatic sync(optional feature). There's no need to open the program and tell it to sync. If for some reason, your network disconnects, the software will automatically reconnect to sync devices and continue syncing.
2) It's fully integrated to the operating system (or explorer/shell). You can drag and drop, copy and paste, cut or paste or do whatever you like to files and changes will be reflected on other computers. It's also flexible in a way that you can choose which computer to sync to and when it syncs the file. E.g. if your sync devices turn on at different times of the day, the software can sync to all of them at different times all done automatically. suresync cannot do that.
3) You can easily share your "sync folder" with people you choose. If you're in a corporate environment and want to share a project, you can sync your project folder with everyone or the people you choose. They also have to capability to work offline and such.
4) Remote access to your files from anywhere in the world. Suresync cannot do that.
5) It's free and cost $0.

 

I think I will try all 3 -- one at a time -- to see what I am most comfortable with.

I'll start with SyncToy since it is free and develop some sense as to how this works. Then LiveSync (and learn about Live Mesh) and if SureSync has a trial period, I will try that as well.

I know I don't want automatic synchronization and I want to be able to control the syncing.

I am still open to other suggestions while I learn how these programs work.

 

I have been using a free program called allwaysync.

 

It may not be what you need, but I use this simple, freeware, portable app called "Toucan".

It's a great little app but it requires a little manual input.

http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/toucan

 

I've tried SyncToy (from MS included with OS) and I do not find how to see what is shown in the screen shot in this post earlier in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4799919&postcount=7

I was wondering if those options were available on Vista Only -- I have XP SP3 and that information does not seem available on the SyncToy available there.

There were some problem files but just a few and it is not clear what the problems were. I used 2 old back-ups in order to experiment to see what would happen so it is no biggy and it is not like the files are missing.

So SureSync has a 30 day trial period and I think I will try that now.

 

vice versa is another good sync program. I use it to sync through my wifi. I can control the bandwidth in the program so the syncing process doesn't slow down my network.

 

Can you elaborate a bit? Where did you hit a block? And AFAIK, it's the same on Windows XP as it's on Windows Vista.

 

This is a new program for me so I may not have looked properly -- but all I get is the #1 option shown in the post. The review is nothing but unending lines of words too time consuming to read.

Edit I just went through every file in the help folder and there is nothing resembling the one you show in your screen shot, either 1 or 2.

 

I created a new folder pair just now, and this is what I get if I preview.



What do you get?

 

Which version of SyncToy are you using?!

 

The preview I get is the same as yours --- but I did not get the screen shot you have in the post just above this. I assume that is post-sync?

SyncToy 2.0 which is the latest version -- from 8/2008

 

No ma'am, this is from the help file, and it's the same, whether I've synced before, or not!

 

So here is a problem with SureSync. I am backing up certain folders on my HD to my Flash Drive. Suresync won't coy a lot of the files because the flash drive is FAT32 and the HD is NTFS. So Sure Sync won't copy a number of files from the HD to the Flash Drive.

I have no idea why some files can't be copied by SureSync to the flash drive. I presume they were formatted for NTFS but it seems rather arbitrary. But I am perfectly able to manually copy and paste them myself.

So I find this a pretty bad feature of SureSync.

There is a work around -- I don't have time to figure out what it all means at the moment but it cautions that data will be lost.

 

the only problem i have with suresync is, it's alwaysync. why does a product exist twice with different names?

other than that, it was years ago the first that did good syncs even over unrealiable network connections.

i'd like to have some explorer integrated sync, though. but most nowaday sync things that pop up are stupid to-cloud-syncs. stupid clouds..