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Main Area and Open Discussion => General Software Discussion => Topic started by: KenR on March 09, 2007, 04:54 AM

Title: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: KenR on March 09, 2007, 04:54 AM
If Zaine says it, I believe it and you can too!

Although its a typically excellent German program, it has a very Japanese name, and the two words I’d use to describe Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro (SFFS) are fast and accurate. The UI is also well thought out. Best of all, it gives you control over exactly what goes where and how it syncs — at the point of synching. It’s also great for exact mirroring, and while Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro should really be considered a commercial app; that is, an enterprise one, given its deep feature set. Its trial version is fully functional, letting you thoroughly test and compare it to other synching apps, so give it a shot!

http://www.thegsblog.com/?p=155

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 (http://www.thegsblog.com/?p=155)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 09, 2007, 11:20 AM
Has anybody compared this to syncBack? I own syncBack, but I'm a bit disappointed by it. is this really faster than others?

Another contender (maybe) for people changing large files often (i.e., digital photos?) is laplink's speedsynch (http://syncBack) stuff...
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 10, 2007, 08:52 AM
Backup4all can do one-way synch (useful to have say a remote FTP copy) as well, using the mirror option (no compression). Not useful if you update the files in both locations, that's for sure.

BTW, Super Flexible might be a good program to get a DC discount for. Zaine, are you up for the task (since you discovered it).
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 10, 2007, 09:01 AM
Also, how about beyond compare for this task (sync'ing)? It is definitely cheaper, and it works well.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: GHammer on March 10, 2007, 11:46 AM
I have licenses for a number of tools and SFFS beats them all.
Some have poor UI, some don't support this or that method, some insist on zipping. None do the things that SFFS does, does them as accurately nor with as little impact on my system.
One thing I like with SFFS is that the config is stored in an INI instead of a database or reg entries.

A discount would be a good thing, but the tool is worth the asking price.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: taichimaster on March 10, 2007, 12:21 PM
Thanks KenR and Zaine for pointing out this nice program.  It does look flexible though a bit pricey.  Discount on this would definitely be nice.  Go Zaine!!

I have been using Dillobits InSync for my mirroring needs.  I found it much faster and accurate than synctoy or syncback.

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Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: tomos on March 10, 2007, 02:02 PM
The only sync app I’ve found to be as accurate is DirSync, but it’s not as fast as Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro. It has both a wizard step-by-step mode or an advanced mode. Profiles are simple to setup, easy to alter, and can be scheduled remotely. Worth every penny to protect your files.
(from the review)

I presume "It has both a wizard step-by-step mode or an advanced mode. Profiles are simple to setup, easy to alter, and can be scheduled remotely" refers to SFFS.

...
but DirSynch is less than half the price

SFFS would want to be a lot faster or you want to be synching lots of stuff ...
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 11, 2007, 06:28 AM
I have been using Dillobits InSync for my mirroring needs.  I found it much faster and accurate than synctoy or syncback.

Looks like  as soon as one digs up a bit SyncBack is not that great.

I like some things about SB, for example the  fact that you can hit pause and resume a profile, and that options are (finally!) nicely structured and with an icon.

But in my tests SFFS is really fast. SFTP and webDAV (and amazon S 3!) is a plus. Another interesting feature is the "detect moved files" feature (lot less transfer).

Taichimaster, could you run a simple test comparing your favourite Dillobits InSync against SFFS? that'd be great.

Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 11, 2007, 06:45 AM
In my case (I dunno if it's a bit extreme) I want to have a current mirror to an external HD (updating often, maybe every 2-3 days, and a remote backup (to a server) updating maybe monthly.

I have 14 Gb and 115,000 files that I want to synchronize. That's quite a load for the remote job, so I need to split the job into smaller profiles, and upload the differences at different, random times. So any improvements in speed would be appreciated.

Looks like SFFS doesn't let you select sub-folders (maybe because of its design and the "detect moved files" feature.

Ideally, a sync program should keep a catalog (as backup4all does) to quickly see which folder one has worked on in a particular day. Mind you, maybe checking the OS's "recent folders" would be enough, or just monitoring HD I/O. That would save time in rescaning the entire drive every time a profile is run.Anyone with a similar situation?

Benchmarking all the programs compared would be great.
Looks like a good review is brewing here... Anyone up for the job?
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 11, 2007, 07:01 AM
Actually, a category in itself would be those programs do 'patches' (aka delta backup), that is, they copy/move only the bits of the file that have changed. Any of these delta backup programs should beat traditional ones at speed.

Unison (http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/index.html) is one of them. Note that the same authors have started a new project: Harmony (http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~harmony/). So Unison is kind of unsupported, and looks like something that needs an important time investment.

Commercial software that does delta backup:
Novell's ifolders, According to http://www.ifolder.com/ [ifolder.com]: " iFolder is a simple and secure storage solution that can increase your productivity by enabling you to back up, access and manage your personal files-from anywhere, at any time. Once you have installed iFolder, you simply save your files locally-as you have always done-and iFolder automatically updates the files on a network server and delivers them to the other machines you use. Sponsored by Novell, the iFolder project is built on the Mono/.Net framework to integrate seamlessly into existing desktop environments. ".

The flash presentation says that it uses delta backup, but it is not featured in the description. Problem: only usable acrross the net, no HD backup possible.

Price: $51.99 (http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results.aspx?key=Novell+iFolder)
It seems that v 3 is OSS, although that must be the server? I dunno, slashdot commentaries here (http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/12/1347229).

Another delta backup tool: Suresync (http://www.softwarepursuits.com/suresync/features.asp). price=$69, same as SFFSP-WTF :). It does provide real-time syncing and delta backup using an addon (sold separately), I mailed them for a quote.

Looks like it really has lots of features!

Depending on how expensive the addon is, and how unusable/time-consuming Unison is, this could be an interesting pick. It can do HD backups fine.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 11, 2007, 07:24 AM
UPDATE :
According to  Inray's comment in fileforums (http://fileforum.betanews.com/review/1089930932/1/view), in terms of speed, it seems that the fastest is robocopy (not tested). this is a cmd utility, but there is a GUI here (http://www.gotdotnet.com/workspaces/releases/viewuploads.aspx?id=108f89b9-be0b-4ec4-9736-3a43d39f0146)

Unison uses the rsync algorithm, should be the fastest since it does the smartest move: copy only the bits that change, not the entire file.

There is an excellent review/tutorial of unison here (http://web.mit.edu/pgbovine/www/unison_guide.htm)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 11, 2007, 09:35 AM
An even easier tutorial to install unison on winXP (http://web.mit.edu/pgbovine/www/unison-for-your-mom.htm)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: PlayPhil on March 11, 2007, 09:48 AM
Well, my needs for file syncing are fairly simple, updating my file archives primarily and specific directories on occasion. For this purpose I find Karen Kenworthy's Replicator (http://www.karenware.com/powertools/powertools.asp) to be all I need, easy to setup and use, and fast enough. I also like the fact I can easily filter out what files or file types I do not want included in the Data Backups (desktop.ini for example).

I also use Karen's "Once A Day" util (same page) to fire batch files when I bootup for incremental backups of a few specific dirs.

I might add I do not use proprietary compression formats (ZIP etc) for Data Backups, nor do I upload using FTP, so these utils may not suit those who do, or it's subsequent steps in your procedure.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 13, 2007, 01:41 PM
Ok, Super Flexible does delta updating too. Not over ftp though.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 13, 2007, 03:20 PM
Well, in my tests (.mdb, .rar files) after checking the box for "use partial file updating" it simply copies the entire content.
Either it doesn't work, or it is really convoluted.

Docs are sparse, it feels like this feature is still being implemented (doesn't work with ftp).
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 13, 2007, 03:34 PM
Just tried unison, and it has the same problem: it copies over the entire file. I dunno what i'm doing wrong, this cannot be that difficult.

This is important because just playing music, I may end up updating a mdb file daily, that is 57mb x 265 = 20gb of storage in a normal, uncompressed incremental backup.

Doing delta sync would save a lot of disk space on this.

For FTP backups, savings are fundamental anyway.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 14, 2007, 02:31 PM
Well, in my tests (.mdb, .rar files) after checking the box for "use partial file updating" it simply copies the entire content.
Either it doesn't work, or it is really convoluted.

Docs are sparse, it feels like this feature is still being implemented (doesn't work with ftp).
-urlwolf (March 13, 2007, 03:20 PM)

Correction: After a quick mail exchange with Tobias (the author), SFFS DOES do delta updating and it works. You just have to activate the logs and look at them.

This is looking like an absolutely killer app. people here working with backup4all, syncBack etc may get a lot faster transfers, and maybe indexing too.

Another killer feature is that SFFS can cache the tree in the destination, which should improve indexing. One can set how often the tree gets refreshed.

No news on how to make unison do delta updating though.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: iphigenie on March 14, 2007, 03:02 PM
now to get a DC rebate ;)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 15, 2007, 06:39 AM
news on unison delta update.
It uses rsync, so it does work only when using a remote connection.
If you copy from local to local, no delta update.
Interesting.
So SFFS seems to be unique in that.

To make SFFS work like a backup program, say backup4all do:
(1) create your normal profile, left to right.
(2) Select "add timestamp to filename" (note: do not use delta updating here)
(3) Keep as many versions as you like (say 10)
(4) zip files if needed
(5) create another profile by copying the first one, but swap the paths, so it's "right to left"
(6) test it
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: nontroppo on March 16, 2007, 11:45 AM
Deltacopy is a reliable free rsync app for windows, and can do local as well as remote sync:

http://www.aboutmyip.com/AboutMyXApp/DeltaCopy.jsp
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 16, 2007, 02:23 PM
Thanks nontroppo, that was very useful. Deltacopy didn't really work for me but rsync itself did. Concretely, I'm using this rsync for windows: cwRsync (http://www.itefix.no/phpws/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=6&MMN_position=23:23)
My particular case (backup to dreamhost using rsync) is covered here (http://fieldsmarshall.com/2006/11/10/using-rsync-backup-on-dreamhost/).
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: nontroppo on March 16, 2007, 03:18 PM
hm, send the devs your bug feedback; it works flawlessly for me...

what i really want however is rdiff-backup natively for windows (incremental backup with restore per delta) - anyone know of a package out there?

and thanks for that dreamhost howto - finally something to do with all that space!!! :)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 16, 2007, 09:08 PM
hm, send the devs your bug feedback; it works flawlessly for me...

what i really want however is rdiff-backup natively for windows (incremental backup with restore per delta) - anyone know of a package out there?

and thanks for that dreamhost howto - finally something to do with all that space!!! :)
-nontroppo (March 16, 2007, 03:18 PM)

The only "native" (you mean not a unix port?) win delta backup apps I have been able to find are SFFS, and suresync (expensive, needs an addin to do delta backups).

Yep, DH is totally worth it if only for the amount of space they give you, and the shell.

I was falling in love with SFFS, but rsync is doing a great job and I don't mind (almost prefer) scripting. It doesn't take much in term of system resources. The advantage of SFFS is that it can cache the 'right tree' (useful when it's a large tree)... but rsync is really fast counting files, and very portable.

What's the difference between rsync and unison then? Why is unison not capable of doing delta backup locally (if this info is correct!)?. If unison is based on rsync, it should.

I guess rsync is just a mirror, whereas unison is able to resolve conflicts and thus better to be used when you update both sides independently.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 17, 2007, 08:43 AM
Note: something like this:
http://www.rsnapshot.org/

Would be great if working on windows. It would nulify the need for things like backup4all (it takes 275mb of ram when operating!).
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on March 18, 2007, 08:19 PM
Ok, seems like for windows, there are some mature incremental backup solutions based on ryinc.

http://bbdev.fluffy.co.uk/svn/box/chris/win32/releases/boxbackup-chris_general_784-backup-client-mingw32.zip
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: Hirudin on March 25, 2007, 10:56 AM
Also, how about beyond compare for this task (sync'ing)? It is definitely cheaper, and it works well.
-urlwolf (March 10, 2007, 09:01 AM)
Thanks for the reminder! I'll be using this, Beyond Compare is such a cool program already, less than the other backup programs, and I absolutely 100% trust it's opinion of what is "different".
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: tomos on March 27, 2007, 08:27 AM
I'm very interested in this incremental backup where only the modified part of the file is backed up.

My Surfulater files are over 100MB,
but more importantly I'm going back to finish a job where many files are over 100MB as well, and I would want a lot of versions backed-up

when people start talking about scripts I'm lost,
so I'm wondering would people think I'd be able to handle any of the above mentioned programmes,


Oh yeah, it would be for backing up to a different partition or an external drive (with Windows XP)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro and RSync
Post by: nevf on March 27, 2007, 05:00 PM
Late to the party but let me throw in a few bits of info.

I've been using SFFS for years and it is a very nice application and works very well. Tobias provides great support and the product is being continually improved. I can't see where it does partial backups though and can't see how it can, as is?

RSync type applications are of no use where the source and destination files are on the same PC, even if the destination is on an external hard drive. RSync is a client/server program and its purpose is to minimize the amount of data (traffic) that needs to be sent between two computers in order to synchronize files. The client and server read the files in their entirety, several times in fact and send data back and forth to determine what parts of the files have changed. The client finally sends just the parts that have changed to the server. So the data going down the wire is minimal but the CPU and Disk use at each end is higher than a simple Copy (Backup) process.

Also note that RSync et.all. are useless where the content of files changes dramatically over time. For example lets say you have a 100 files and only two have changed. RSync will perform very well here. But if you Zip up these 100 files and use RSync on the zipped file you will probably find the entire file is sent down the wire. This is simply because most every bit in the source and destination zip files have changed. Encrypted files such as TrueCrypt containers similarly won't work effectively.

Re. Surfulater. I'm slowly working a database synchronization where only the changes are sent between copies of Surfulater.

HTH.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: brahman on March 29, 2007, 11:03 AM
I have been highly satisfied with the SynchronizeIt! / CompareIt! combo from Grigsoft.  :up:

http://www.grigsoft.com/

In combination with Total Commander (which has an excellent synch tool itself, though the ability to do multiple batches is missing) SynchronizeIt! works superbly and I prefer it much over BeyondCompare, because it is simpler and much more intuitive to use, while in combination with Total Commander SI has at least the same functionality at a lower price.

Also speed is excellent, and it supports rar, zip and 7zip (in latest beta). Synchronize It! and CompareIt! integrate very well also: When you want to see exactly where the files differ, simply double click on the file pair and CompareIt! will do its magic, even comparing ini files if the sections are in different places within the file (if set up properly with the ini plugin). Then you can do a merge operation if you want line by line or change by change. In the new beta even binary comparisons are possible.

If you use them via Total Commander, you make a button on the button bar and then when you click on the button, both dirs are synched or files even within the same folder compared.

Some more info on TC integration is here:
http://www.grigsoft.com/art_totcmd.htm

SynchronizeIt! synchs folders, archives and FTP sites; it also has very powerful compare and synchronize files on non-connected PCs functions, logs and is very very fast. Preferences are stored in an ini file, thank god.

You can setup really complicated synch and backup jobs, exclude and include to your hearts content.

The interface is uncluttered and nicely designed. Download the current versions and then install the current (stable) betas/alphas over them, because the betas are bare bone programs only and this way you maintain help functionality.

SynchronizeIt! only costs about $14,50 or the combo with CompareIt! $29,50 and has a full function trial (the amounts are the 25% discounted prices by using coupon ICANSAVE).  :Thmbsup:

The developer is very responsive and genuinely interested in helping his users even with complicated situations. Forum answers are prompt.

I have tested many synching programs starting with the Laplink for DOS almost twenty years ago, and I have found this software to be the best in the market.

Kind Regards,

Brahman  :)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: brotherS on April 03, 2007, 07:24 AM
I think I'll be interested in a DC discount for SFFS too! Just tried it, pretty intuitive. I'll probably only need the basic version, so a percentage discount for both versions would be cool.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: grigsoft on April 04, 2007, 11:43 PM
Kind of offtopic here, but I will gladly provide DC community discount for my Synchronize It! (http://www.grigsoft.com/) in case smb is interested.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: MrCrispy on April 05, 2007, 12:33 AM
How does SFFS compare to Goodsync (www.goodsync.com). One of the features which I find useful from their website is that goodsync will autodetect when external usb drives are connected and run the sync job, thus making it one less thing for me to worry about.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: Armando on April 11, 2007, 12:14 AM
Late to the party but let me throw in a few bits of info.

I've been using SFFS for years and it is a very nice application and works very well. Tobias provides great support and the product is being continually improved. I can't see where it does partial backups though and can't see how it can, as is?

-nevf (March 27, 2007, 05:00 PM)

For those who haven't found out whether Super Flexible File Synchronizer (SFFS) can do partial backups, or if it uses delta synchronization technology, see : http://www.superflexible.com/partial.htm

Basically : "In your profile, make the following checkmark: Use Partial File Updating, which is on the Advanced tab sheet in Advanced Mode."
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: MerleOne on May 02, 2007, 03:39 AM
Hi all,

I have several questions/remarks related to SFFS, like for instance "is it possible to change the temp dir when using zipping" or "how can I easily remove a given file or a folder or some files from sync" or "what means obsolete dir in a file selection context menu".  It is ok to ask them here ?

I have also used Goodsync and find the later much easier to do simple tasks and also quicker to scan dirs for differences.  If I can manage, I'll do a mini-review of Goodsync.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: mouser on May 02, 2007, 03:58 AM
more minireviews of similar programs would be great.

grigsoft, welcome to the site  :up:  i've sent you an email about arranging a discount for DC members.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: zridling on May 02, 2007, 08:30 AM
mouser's right. I'd love to see others provide mini-reviews of their fav sync apps. There seems to be a lot of good choices in this category.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: tomos on May 08, 2007, 08:37 AM
I've been using SFFS for years and it is a very nice application and works very well. Tobias provides great support and the product is being continually improved. I can't see where it does partial backups though and can't see how it can, as is?
-nevf (March 27, 2007, 05:00 PM)

For those who haven't found out whether Super Flexible File Synchronizer (SFFS) can do partial backups, or if it uses delta synchronization technology, see : http://www.superflexible.com/partial.htm

Basically : "In your profile, make the following checkmark: Use Partial File Updating, which is on the Advanced tab sheet in Advanced Mode."
-Armando (April 11, 2007, 12:14 AM)

does that mean that all your backups are then done using Partial File Updating,
or
can you have some backups done using Partial File Updating, and some done the "normal" incremental way (or just synched) as well

i.e. does the "profile" refer to everything or just a particular backup?
(havent tried it out yet ... must!)

[EDIT: presumably just to particular backup
yes,
going by Zaines review "profile" = one particular backup]
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: tomos on May 08, 2007, 09:08 AM
Deltacopy is a reliable free rsync app for windows, and can do local as well as remote sync:

http://www.aboutmyip.com/AboutMyXApp/DeltaCopy.jsp
-nontroppo (March 16, 2007, 11:45 AM)

i think I'm correct in understanding that this does "Partial File Updating" as well ?
and
"local" backing-up, ie to external drive or to different partition ..

yet, you ask -

what i really want however is rdiff-backup natively for windows (incremental backup with restore per delta) - anyone know of a package out there?
-nontroppo

I'm afraid
I don't understand the sequence between quotes one and two -
what is missing from DeltaCopy?

is it some restore functionality?
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: tomos on May 08, 2007, 10:25 AM
as you can see, I'm thinking about this a lot   :D

as i say,
i will download the programme (SFFS),
but asking for help-advice again anyway ;)

With the "Partial File Updating" -
Lets say I do an incremental/versioned backup of a file every day using that feature.
Presumably I can go back to the version saved, say, 10 days ago.

Is this difficult to do - has anyone had any experience/s here or tested it in that way?
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: Armando on May 08, 2007, 01:42 PM
With the "Partial File Updating" -

Lets say I do an incremental/versioned backup of a file every day using that feature.
Presumably I can go back to the version saved, say, 10 days ago.

Is this difficult to do - has anyone had any experience/s here or tested it in that way?
-tomos (May 08, 2007, 10:25 AM)

When I tried the trial version, a couple months ago, it was easy to keep multiple backup versions Of each file.

My understanding is that partial file updating is only for synching.

But... try it and tell us.  :)

You could also contact the software creator.

P.-S. : everybody, check out these links :
partial updating : http://www.superflexible.com/partial.htm
Features : http://www.superflexible.com/features.htm
Restoring : http://www.superflexible.com/restore.htm and http://www.superflexible.com/restore.htm

(edit : added some links...)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: superflexible on May 08, 2007, 04:40 PM
Hello,

software author here. Partial File Updating is only for updating large files over slow connections, and it cannot be combined with keeping multiple versions of the file, since that would defeat the purpose of updating the remote file quickly.

Cheers,
Tobias
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: mouser on May 08, 2007, 04:43 PM
Welcome to the site Tobias, nice to see you here.  :up:
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: Armando on May 08, 2007, 07:58 PM
Yes, welcome !
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: tomos on May 09, 2007, 01:04 AM
Thanks for the very prompt reply Tobias!
tom
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: nudone on September 26, 2007, 12:47 PM
i recently posted in another thread, https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=10076.0, that i'm using GoodSync as it seemed like a good price for what it offered (using NetDrive to provide additional FTP synchronisation features).

As i'm still in the trial period for using GoodSync and i'm not entirely sure how many computers i'll want to synchronise i thought it worth searching for an even cheaper alternative.

i'm now using FileSync and FTPSync from 'Fileware' http://www.fileware.com/products.htm

there appears to be plenty of features provided by both apps - and for $15 each i've yet to see anything of such value. you can even try the programs free for as long as you wish - and make a payment when you are satisfied you'll be using the product on a typical basis.

of course, you don't necessarily need both apps. i'm just playing with both until i decide whether i'll keep using the NetDrive FTP functions currently on my system.

another thing... i'm kind of surprised that neither of these 'FileWare' programs have been mentioned elsewhere on the forum - the programs appear to have been around for quite a few years so i'd expect someone to be aware of them.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: tomos on September 26, 2007, 12:59 PM
Goodsync is made by the Roboform people...
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: nudone on September 26, 2007, 01:02 PM
Goodsync is made by the Roboform people...
-tomos (September 26, 2007, 12:59 PM)
true.

the FileWare software isn't as advanced as i first thought. still might be enough for my needs though.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: iphigenie on April 20, 2008, 10:58 AM
I considered creating a separate topic but I'll revive this one first.

I did win SSFS here ( :-* ) but one thing I noticed is that for synchronising photos and mp3s (i sync between a NAS and an USB portable drive to have 2 copies of my files, and might work on one or the other) it takes a lot of time the way I set it up.

This is because if i go through and tag things, as I am doing as I am trying to clean up/organise things, then SSFS will copy all the images or MP3s back.

So this brings 2 questions
- would the partial sync work in this case? Anyone use it that way?
- if not, is there a sync option that could be "meta information only", or some specialised tools for images or mp3s?

EDIT: doesnt seem that the SFSS partial sync can work in my setup since it seems to require something installed in the remote computer and i just have 2 drives from one computer, one usb the other over the network
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: tomos on April 20, 2008, 12:16 PM
EDIT: doesnt seem that the SFSS partial sync can work in my setup since it seems to require something installed in the remote computer and i just have 2 drives from one computer, one usb the other over the network
-iphigenie (April 20, 2008, 10:58 AM)

off the top of my head - (you do mean the partial file update thingy?)
it works between my pc & my usb stick (with nothing special on it), but it only works for very big files -
sorry, offhand I dont know what size...

actually loooking at the website, he doesnt say, kindof silly really
http://www.superflexible.com/partial.htm

It works for me with a 200MB surfulater file but that doesnt help you any :(
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: urlwolf on April 20, 2008, 06:53 PM
iphigenie,

I had the same question. I alter the tags of lots of oggs and would like to update only those that have changed; and if the delta copy moved just the tags, so much better. Unfortunately, Tobias said it's beyond SFSS's capabilities. A bit of a bummer.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: Armando on April 21, 2008, 01:03 AM
iphigenie,

I had the same question. I alter the tags of lots of oggs and would like to update only those that have changed; and if the delta copy moved just the tags, so much better. Unfortunately, Tobias said it's beyond SFSS's capabilities. A bit of a bummer.
-urlwolf (April 20, 2008, 06:53 PM)

Is there another backup solution that handles alternate NTFS data streams gracefully ?
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: brotherS on February 27, 2009, 07:42 AM
After not doing any real backups for almost a year ( :-[ ) I today installed version 3 of Super Flexible File Synchronizer again (which I registered back then) and started to backup some stuff.

Feeling more secure already. 8)

My question: what has changed in the new version 4? Does anyone know? The German site has a version history which ends at a 3.x (huh?) and the English site doesn't seem to have a version history at all. http://www.superflexible.com/amazons3.htm hints that 4.x is needed for Amazon S3 Web Storage support, but I didn't find more than that.

Also it would be interesting to know the cost for updating from 3.x to 4.x

Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: tomos on February 27, 2009, 08:09 AM
http://www.superflexible.com/history.htm for version history

cant say about Amazon S3 (I use it but using Jungle Disk to back up my SFFS backups - not the most efficient but one advantage is it's easier for someone non-technical like me to check if it working properly)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: MerleOne on February 27, 2009, 08:21 AM
After not doing any real backups for almost a year ( :-[ ) I today installed version 3 of Super Flexible File Synchronizer again (which I registered back then) and started to backup some stuff.

Feeling more secure already. 8)

My question: what has changed in the new version 4? Does anyone know? The German site has a version history which ends at a 3.x (huh?) and the English site doesn't seem to have a version history at all. http://www.superflexible.com/amazons3.htm hints that 4.x is needed for Amazon S3 Web Storage support, but I didn't find more than that.

Also it would be interesting to know the cost for updating from 3.x to 4.x


-brotherS (February 27, 2009, 07:42 AM)

I got a free upgrade from V3 to V4.   Many things changed from V3 to V4, cannot mention all of them.  The most visible is th e GUI. I admit I preferred the V3 one, but one get used to V4.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: cranioscopical on February 27, 2009, 03:37 PM
the English site doesn't seem to have a version history at all.
-brotherS
English-language version history is here (http://www.superflexible.com/history.htm)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: brotherS on February 28, 2009, 09:00 AM
the English site doesn't seem to have a version history at all.
-brotherS
English-language version history is here (http://www.superflexible.com/history.htm)
-cranioscopical (February 27, 2009, 03:37 PM)
Thanks!

The version 4 update is a free for purchases after Oct 1st, 2007, but you will most likely need a new registration code.
Cool, that means I will get a free upgrade also. Since MerleOne does not like version 4 too much, I wonder what the rest of you (who both used v3 and v4) thinks?

I would like to update mostly because of this new feature in v4 that I requested back then:
Files to be deleted are now deleted before new files are copied to avoid running out of space on the target disk.

Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: MerleOne on February 28, 2009, 10:04 AM
I would just like to point out that I do like v4 for the extra features, it's just that I miss some aspects of the V3 GUI.

Also, I feel something is missing from both versions : when I preview the files to be synced, I sometimes note that a given file, for instance 'my_very_big_file.mpg', should be excluded from all syncs from now on.  All I can do from the preview windows is manually enter a new exclusion rule, I would much prefer to have a goodsync-like feature where I just right click on this item and chose "exclude my_very_big_file.mpg".  When the path/file name is complicated, entering it manually is a big cause of error.

Apart from that it really stands out !
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: brotherS on February 28, 2009, 10:18 AM
Ah, ok. Which are the "aspects of the V3 GUI" that you miss?

And did you write them, suggesting that those - and the file exclusion feature you mentioned - could be added?
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: MerleOne on February 28, 2009, 10:25 AM
Ah, ok. Which are the "aspects of the V3 GUI" that you miss?

And did you write them, suggesting that those - and the file exclusion feature you mentioned - could be added?
-brotherS (February 28, 2009, 10:18 AM)
I sent this suggestion once to the developer back in May 2007.  Regarding V3 GUI, I think you had all parameters in view when launching a sync.  Now you to have to go into edit mode. Also I liked the color theme better.
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: J-Mac on February 28, 2009, 02:57 PM
I agree that it is a bit of a pain - small pain, not a big pain! - to have to open the Edit window to see what your parameters are for any given job. I think that v.3 had a "Summary" view that showed a lot of the main parameters. I could be confusing this with a different sync program though. (My memory is going......... :huh: :o  ).

Also, a few updates ago the new (or revised?) Safety feature defaulting to NOT performing the sync if a certain percentage of deletions was to occur drove me nuts until I discovered that setting. I think Tobias changed that a few updates later, but I had already changed all of mine manually.

Generally a very good program IMO.

Jim
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: brotherS on February 28, 2009, 03:00 PM
Generally a very good program IMO.
-J-Mac (February 28, 2009, 02:57 PM)
Yes, I second that, even if I'm still on version 3.  8)
Title: Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine
Post by: cranioscopical on February 28, 2009, 05:30 PM
I'm a bit late to the party with this, but I like V4 just fine.
Mind you, I invite SFFS only to waltz, not to tango.

I agree that 'click-on-me-to exclude-me' would be nice.