synching between laptop and desktop

hi,

i plan on using both my laptop and desktop, and want to figure out the best way to synch / swap files between the two so i can have the same up to date data on both. understand that when they're both on the same network, i can probably just pull files off one computer and save it back to the same, but don't think i can do that with email. would also like to know the best way to easily backup data from my laptop onto my desktop.

primary concerns are:
outlook data - emails, calendar, tasks, notes, contacts
general files - office, quicken, etc

i know there are some software programs out there, would love any feedback folks have.

thanks!

 

Well, I have similar goals. Sorry to break the news to you though...there are not any good apps that I have found to help with this.

The easy thing is keeping files. I use my PC as the main location for files and keep a copy using a Briefcase on my notebook. As long as I remember to sync, there's no problem.

Outlook is the real pain. The .pst file that holds all your info gets very large. Mine is well over 100 MB. So it's not something you can quickly move around. Further, I've never found a program that allows for pst file management.

So, I use my notebook as the primary for email and use my PC to check email, but I leave the emails on teh server for the notebook to get. Some double work, but not too bad. Actually, we recently migrated to Exchange which has a very nice web client, good for things like this.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

ya i wish they could have a smooth program to migrate between the 2 also.

Inspiron 9100- 3.2ghz P4 HT - 1gb RAM - 100GB HD - 4x dvd/cd burner -128mb ATI 9700. RoX0r mY coX0r!

 

I've found some third party software solutions that achieve this:

http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/sync.htm

The ones that seem to stand out are SynchPST and OsaSync. I'll probably demo the two of them and see what happens.

Thanks for the insight!

 

I tried a number of solutions like this a while back and made no progress. Let us know what happens!

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Brall,
have you had any luck finding a way to sync outlook from laptop to desktop? I just got my laptop and am trying to figure out a way to do it... I mean if I can sync with my palm there should be an easy way to sync two outlooks

 

Check out compfold on this page. Best little program I have found for keeping folders synchronized.
http://home.freeuk.net/mpescod/
I don't know if it will/won't do .pst files but it is certainly worth a try.

 

I am a happy user of ShareO http://shareo.4team.biz/?pcode=608310193bh66vm
It syncs outlook data using emails, very convenient!

 

I use SyncToy, a Windows power toy. You can save folder pairs and sync types and easily run them when needed.

 

Another vote for SyncToy. Free from MS, and synchronizes quite beautifully between two computers. You can even setup a schedule.

 

But can any of them handle this sync scenario:

Machine A and Machine B are to be mirror images of each other. Neither is designated as a "master" both are peers.

Machine A has:
File 1
File 2
File 3

Machine B has:
File 1
File 3

I sync and both machines have all 3 files.

On Machine B, I delete File 3 and add File 4.

After the sync I should see:

Machine A & B
File 1
File 2
File 4

But most sync apps produce:
Machine A & B
File 1
File 2
File 3
File 4

The only sync tool I have found that allows for this scenario is SureSync. It is about $70 but well worth it. It keeps a database of all files on all machines and uses that to intelligently decide what to sync. It handles the above case and many more including allowing either machine to be declared as a master, multiple machine synchronization and lots more.

Gary

(No I don't own stock! ...grin... Just a very satisfied customer.)