| App Name: | Super Flexible File Synchronizer, soon to be renamed ExtremeSync (http://www.extremesync.com/) |
| App URL: | http://www.superflexible.com/index.htm (http://www.superflexible.com/index.htm) |
| App Version Reviewed: | 3.4x |
| Download URL: | http://www.superflexible.com/download.htm (http://www.superflexible.com/download.htm) |
| Test System Specs: | Windows Vista x64; Ubuntu 7.04 |
| Supported OSes: | Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server, Vista; Linux |
| Support Methods | Email (preferred), Phone |
| Upgrade Policy: | Version license |
| Trial Version: | 30-day trial period, fully enabled. |
| Pricing: | Pro version: €49.90, $59.90; Standard version: €29.90, $34.90) |
| More Screenshots: | http://www.superflexible.com/screenshots.htm (http://www.superflexible.com/screenshots.htm) |
Hey Z, I just bought DirSync a week ago (mainly due to your recommendations). Is SFFS better than DirSync in your opinion?-superboyac (May 15, 2007, 05:37 PM)
App Name: Super Flexible File Synchronizer, soon to be renamed ExtremeSync (http://www.extremesync.com/) -zridling (April 26, 2007, 11:40 PM)
So, how is the company going in general? Are they bug fixing and feature updating and such? Does anyone know?-Curt (April 15, 2009, 01:38 AM)
| New Features In Version 5 (Preview now available for Windows) Support for Google Docs You can now synchronize with Google Docs! The functionality is described here. Embedded SQL Database An embedded Firebird SQL Database Server is now being used for the reference databases. This adds only 2 MB to the download and it does not need any configuration. It is used for SmartTracking, for the Destination Cache and for storing the checksums for Partial File Updating. The SQL server communicates directly via its DLL file, so there is no TCP/IP or other interprocess communication that would be seen by Firewalls. Embedded Firebird runs as part of the Superflexible or ExtremeSync processes. Firebird is a great improvement over the old database structure, especially in terms of reliability and scalability. It can store an unlimited number of file entries and other data without becoming much slower. A separate database file is created for each job (like before). Old databases are automatically converted. Differential Versioning Backup You can now combine Partial File Updating with Versioning, Zipping and Encryption and use it with any backup storage location, including FTP and other Internet Protocols. Checkboxes to choose: - tab sheet Special: "Partial File Updating" (without Remote Service) - tab sheet Zipping: "Zip Each File Individually" The option "Filename Encoding" on the Versioning tab sheet is automatically active in this use case. The Zip file sizes can now be limited too so that large files can be split (only in conjunction with Partial File Updating). The transfer can be stopped any time and zip parts already uploaded won't be lost. Be sure to keep all zip files on the destination as they may all be needed to reassemble the file upon restore. Any older version can be restored by choosing the desired target date in the Restore Wizard, or by right-clicking the file in the Sync Preview and choosing the desired version. The option "Keep multiple files" is implied and does not need to be checked. It cannot be used to limit the number of older versions. All older versions must be kept on the backup. A method to limit the number of older files that need to be kept on the backup storage is currently being developed and suggestions on the best strategy are welcome. Block-level copying is applied to files which are at least 400,000 bytes in size. The granularity of the differential backup is determined dynamically for each file, based on its size. The smallest block size used will be 2048 bytes. Each partial backup includes an MD5 checksum for each file, so that restored files can be verified to be 100% correct. You can see this in the file MD5.TXT that the partial zips contain. |
Free? Wow - that's amazingly generous! So V.5 is working good for you? Stable?-J-Mac (April 19, 2010, 01:34 AM)
I'm a SFFS fan. Since I'm on linux now, I had to find an alternative.
The best backup tool I found by far is storebackup (http://savannah.nongnu.org/projects/storebackup). And yes, it beats SFFS for me.
No gui, though.-urlwolf (April 19, 2010, 08:50 AM)
Free? Wow - that's amazingly generous! So V.5 is working good for you? Stable?-J-Mac (April 19, 2010, 01:34 AM)
Yeah, sorry, I managed to miss the "5" when I typed SFFS above. I've been running SFFS 5 preview for months with no problems at all.
Here's the posting about the upgrade (hope I've interpreted it correctly!):
http://www.backupcreations.com/forum/upgrade-options-t105.html-Darwin (April 19, 2010, 08:06 AM)
are either of you using SFFS with Amazon S3 online data storage? I use Jungle Disk for that now but since they were purchased by Rackspace they very much want users to switch to using Rackspace's Online Disks instead of the Amazon S3 Buckets. Twice now with updates they changed mine over to Rackspace and I went through a lot of crap to get it all back to S3. So I'd love to dump Jungle Disk and use SFFS. Apparently SFFS can be used with Amazon S3 but I don’t think it has a UI to browse your files and folders there directly. Or at least it doesn’t in V.4 - maybe V.5 has changed this.-J-Mac (April 19, 2010, 12:43 AM)
Free? Wow - that's amazingly generous! So V.5 is working good for you? Stable?-J-Mac (April 19, 2010, 01:34 AM)
Yeah, sorry, I managed to miss the "5" when I typed SFFS above. I've been running SFFS 5 preview for months with no problems at all.
Here's the posting about the upgrade (hope I've interpreted it correctly!):
http://www.backupcreations.com/forum/upgrade-options-t105.html-Darwin (April 19, 2010, 08:06 AM)
Mike, have you installed the beta separately from your V.4 install - or on top of it?
Re the upgrade cost he does say
"any license includes at least two years of free upgrades and updates" so it may depend on when the license was bought...-tomos (April 27, 2010, 07:25 AM)
Yes, v5 will be a free upgrade if you have v4, including all revisions. It will take the same registration codes as v4. Independently, any license includes at least two years of free upgrades and updates.
PS I tried to use SFFS to sync my Roboform data with Roboform's online backup service (https address) and SFFS couldn't handle it. It did ask for my login credentials and I've confirmed that it's set up correctly. Don't know if this is to do with Roboform wanting to get people to buy their own GoodSync software as well? At any rate, I mention this in reference to the S3 query. I *suspect* that this will be an issue with S3 as well, though I have no way to test it.hmmm-Darwin (April 27, 2010, 09:22 AM)
I dont think SFFS allows you to browse files on S3 (I'm sure that would have been written big in the new features!)
Are there currently any other ways of showing S3 locally?-tomos (April 27, 2010, 07:34 AM)
( Fairly Off topic:- have you reasons you dont want to use Rackspace storage ? )-tomos
Thanks mcurran. I'll have to get ahold of Tobias and ask him what's up.-J-Mac (May 21, 2010, 09:35 PM)
BTW, that was the Cloudberry Explorer I was referring to in the other post. Is that what you are using?
Yes - check the Amazon Web Services forum. There is a free client that seems to be all the rage there. They sell a more advanced version but maintain a free version also.
I installed Cloudberry and I set up SFFS to backup directly to Amazon S3,
and
it is all working a treat :) very easy to setup the online backup in Super Flexible - when you edit your 'profile' there's an internet button there, you just need your login details after that.
SFFS Pro, version: pre-5.00 Build 52-tomos (June 18, 2010, 04:42 PM)
Since installing the version 5, I notice that at start up it's not minimized to tray? :huh:-CleverCat (July 18, 2010, 06:48 AM)
1- In the "exact mirror mode" when "partial file updating" option is ON, larger "in use" files like my Outlook PSTs or IQ DataBase are 1- copied and then... immediatly after... 2- deleted ! This seems to happen once every 2 backup.-Armando (August 31, 2010, 03:17 PM)
I'm currently trying SFFS as I find syncback a bit slow...(Red and Bold emphasis is mine)
Although, after 2 days of testing, I really find that the syncback interface is much much better : offers more flexibility, options etc (the grid showing all backups offers a much clearer view of what needs to be backed up, when, etc. and all backup jobs can be sorted through their different fields, etc.). Only problem : no delta backup... Which is stupid, considering the demand. So, basically, 3 the main features I'm interrested in in SFFS are the "partial file updating", the versioning and the "real time" backup.
A backup software needs to be rock solid -- backup problems completely defeats the security purpose of the software. Unfortunately, in my tests, I experienced something very strange (I'll post this in the SFFS forum later but I wanted to try here first, in the community I know best !). But it could be me. I really wonder what I'm doing wrong.-Armando (August 31, 2010, 03:17 PM)
Why the hell does a software support forum need my address and phone number? Intrusive crap!Join the club! As Kramer says, "Why does Radio Shack ask for your phone number when you buy batteries?"
A little ranting tonight, yes? :P
Jim-J-Mac (September 01, 2010, 12:32 AM)
[...] Just thought it would be nice to be able to ask questions of other users on a forum. :)-J-Mac (September 01, 2010, 01:10 PM)
The interface on SFFS is pretty crummy. I was really hoping Tobias was going to revamp it for version 5. I feel it needs the same type of overhaul DOpus went through for it's options dialog a couple of versions back. There are too many options to sort through all those tabs. It's overwhelming. That needs to be done in a different way. And the thing you mention about the grid showing the backups...yes, that could definitely be improved. I also really think he should change the dialog where you select the individual folders you want backed up (with checkboxes). For as long as I've used it, he's done that in a really funky way with radio buttons, which makes no sense to me.-superboyac (August 31, 2010, 03:42 PM)
As you say, I think it needs a complete overhaul. I wouldnt know how to approach it myself there's so much there.Yeah, i've wondered how to change it myself. I can't say I've come up with anything great, but I can definitely come up with something significantly better. Like I said above, the options dialog for DOpus is a very good example. It has a filter on the bottom where you can actually search all the options for whatever keyword you like, and the matches will be very clearly highlighted by a red rectangle. I thought that was very creative and awesome. But beyond that, i also think the whole tabs interface should be redone like mouser did for some of his programs. mouser changed his preferences (FARR, for example) from tabs (like SFFS) to the current tree hierarchy on the left. This was a great improvement. Tabs are good, but they become klunky when there are a lot, and especially when organization comes into play. Like, if there are options that are sub-categories of a larger set of options, it's better to do that with a tree than a bunch of tabs. SFFS really needs to consider changing their interface.-tomos (September 01, 2010, 01:31 PM)
1- In the "exact mirror mode" when "partial file updating" option is ON, larger "in use" files like my Outlook PSTs or IQ DataBase are 1- copied and then... immediatly after... 2- deleted ! This seems to happen once every 2 backup.-Armando (August 31, 2010, 03:17 PM)
Thanks for the follow up, Tom. No, I didn't report this. That kind of bug reporting takes time as many parameters are involved... But if you want to send Tobias an e-mail, sure.
I gave up on SFFS for now, even if it seems very promissing . My SyncBack License is valid and I like the interface, so I'd need a good reason to switch (my main incentive : the speed of the backup) and I want a painless set up.
SFFS did a few weird things right from the start and so I'll wait for another moment -- when I have more time -- to retry it. That is, if it's possible to reinstall the trial and get extra days ??-Armando (September 08, 2010, 01:35 PM)
Thanks Tom. I actually found 2 logs that would show the problem. So I guess I just need to send the logs to him ?-Armando (September 12, 2010, 11:26 AM)
I have been using "Synchromagic" for years, it works wonders.
About the same features as Super Flexible File Synchronizer.
There is no "best"software" but one has to check the little functionality they are really keen on is available.-Lindaxox (December 08, 2010, 08:58 PM)
Synchromagic which was sold by Rose City Software since 1999, has been discontinued. Unfortunately in 2006 development more or less ceased after v4.3.2.2 - and attempts to work with Gelosoft to develop further upgrades and bugfixes failed. Recent attempts in late 2007 by Gelosoft to finally release new builds for a new version 5.0 were so drastically flawed that Rose City Software was forced to abandon our relationship with Gelosoft as the software was no longer reliable and would result in lost data.[my emphasis]
That's what I'm talking about, baby! Don't give me command line switches and stuff.
Buttons! Checkboxes! Dialogs! Drop-downs! Tabs! Color-pickers! Let's go!-superboyac (February 08, 2011, 09:31 PM)
With version 5.49/a I had a problem with the "Background Scheduler" on two different machines (XP & Win7). It didnt start with windows/login as it should. There has been updates since which may have resolved this, but apparently the best thing to do (for those not in the know) is to install the "Service Scheduler".Interesting. I know in the older versions, there was some complicated setup of the service installation vs background running, etc. In the newer version, it seemed to be simplified to a start/stop button in the application that worked much better than before, and the installer stopped asking the user if they wanted to install the service. I've had no problems with it since, but if I wanted to have the service running in a more dedicated manner, I'd use the service. I like being able to easily start stop it right now with the button.
Details here
http://superflexible.com/docup.htm-tomos (August 18, 2011, 10:25 AM)
With version 5.49/a I had a problem with the "Background Scheduler" on two different machines (XP & Win7). It didnt start with windows/login as it should. There has been updates since which may have resolved this, but apparently the best thing to do (for those not in the know) is to install the "Service Scheduler".Interesting. I know in the older versions, there was some complicated setup of the service installation vs background running, etc. In the newer version, it seemed to be simplified to a start/stop button in the application that worked much better than before, and the installer stopped asking the user if they wanted to install the service. I've had no problems with it since, but if I wanted to have the service running in a more dedicated manner, I'd use the service. I like being able to easily start stop it right now with the button.
Details here
http://superflexible.com/docup.htm-tomos (August 18, 2011, 10:25 AM)-superboyac (August 18, 2011, 11:02 AM)
^^ Yes, I think you've nailed it. I remember this now. It was sort of confusing. I'm using the background scheduler because it's the easiest. But I am going to move things to a server soon and I'll probably go the service way for that. Thanks for digging that up!-superboyac (August 18, 2011, 03:09 PM)
we are going to rename the product! Please take a look at our poll regarding the designated new name, Syncovery:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/superflexible/surveys?id=2707004
Or feel free to send me your thoughts by email (http://www.superflexible.com/contact.htm).
Version 6 will contain lots of new features and improvements. Read all about it on this page: http://www.superflexible.com/v6.htm
While the new version 6 is in development, we are still updating version 5 frequently to fix any issues reported by customers. The result is that version 5.60 is one of the best and most stable releases ever.
The update is necessary especially if you use Google Docs or the box.net online storage service. Because cloud providers continuously work on their systems, compatibility updates are sometimes needed.
There's a huge discount on the Pro version for Macintosh for some more days available here:
http://www.themacbundles.com/
BTW I dont thinkCOuld you post a screenshot for us if you have one? Or anyone else? Thanks.-tomos (June 30, 2012, 03:55 PM)
Seems SFFS 6 has just been released -
it *is* now called Syncovery.-tomos (June 30, 2012, 03:55 PM)
Seems SFFS 6 has just been released -
it *is* now called Syncovery.-tomos (June 30, 2012, 03:55 PM)
Thanks for the alert — it was news to me.-cranioscopical (July 01, 2012, 06:22 AM)
[...]
Version 6 uses new registration codes and you can order your license or upgrade right now. Many customers will receive a free upgrade, if their license purchase was within the past two years.
The page for new orders is this one:
http://www.syncovery.com/purchase/
And the upgrading system is here:
http://www.syncovery.com/upgrade/
This upgrading URL is used for both free and payed upgrades.
The list of new features can be seen here:
http://www.syncovery.com/v6/
Tom, can you explain the "synthetic backup" to me? I hadn't created any new profiles since they added that "feature", so I never even looked at it. To be honest I never knew it was there! Tobias doesn’t announce anything when updates are released - you have to discover updates by manually checking. And the Help file doesn’t even contain the word "synthetic" in it.-J-Mac (August 21, 2012, 11:48 AM)
Oh... Well... That makes it perfectly clear. Tobias needs to get someone who can do technical writing that is more understandable.-J-Mac (August 21, 2012, 10:46 PM)
| It is a combination of Partial File Updating with versioning, where everything is zipped up. |
| ATTENTION! Amazon S3 has stopped working with older versions of Super Flexible File Synchronizer last week! If you still have version 5 or older, you need to update your OpenSSL libraries in the Superflexible program folder: http://www.syncovery.com/release/openssl.zip Alternatively, you can upgrade to Syncovery version 6. Check your upgrade status on our web site: http://www.syncovery.com/upgrade/ |
Hmm.. I didn't receive any notification about V.7. And when I click on "Check for Updates" it tells me that V.6.73 is available. (I presently have V.6.67d)For me, it v6 only checks for v6 updates. Only v7, after it's installed, will check for v7 updates.
Were you notified about the new version, Tom?
Thank you.
Jim-J-Mac (November 17, 2014, 12:14 PM)
OK, thanks Supe! BTW, mine only checks manually; can't find any setting to auto-check for updates. Same for you?
Jim-J-Mac (November 17, 2014, 12:17 PM)
me too. I only can do manual checks, no option for automatic. It gets updated a lot, it would be annoying and I'd probably turn it off anyway! :DOK, thanks Supe! BTW, mine only checks manually; can't find any setting to auto-check for updates. Same for you?
Jim-J-Mac (November 17, 2014, 12:17 PM)
yeah, oddly it doesnt even seem to notify of updates.-tomos (November 17, 2014, 01:31 PM)
Hmm.. I didn't receive any notification about V.7. And when I click on "Check for Updates" it tells me that V.6.73 is available. (I presently have V.6.67d)For me, it v6 only checks for v6 updates. Only v7, after it's installed, will check for v7 updates.
Were you notified about the new version, Tom?
Thank you.
Jim-J-Mac (November 17, 2014, 12:14 PM)-superboyac (November 17, 2014, 12:15 PM)