IDEA: synch local/remote folder on demand, with rt monitor

[insert_nick]

I'd like a program where I create "projects", and inside them I specify a list of local folders and the corresponding remote ones to be synched via ftp.
I would like it to act as follows:

I click on checkboxes near some projects, or near some folders under the projects, and click a button "Start monitor changes on filesystem". The app should log in a file every change I do into the selected folders.
Then, I should be able to click a "Commit changes" button, in order to synch local and remote stuff.

I've found the following two freeware tools similar to this concept, but both follow a different approach:
FTP Sync
and
DSynchronize

• the first one makes a realtime synchronization, i.e. whenever I make a change in the specified folder, it is not logged anywhere, but committed asap.
• the second one is more complex and well-done, and commits when I click a button, but it does not monitor and log changes while they are done: it just traverse the remote and local folders, and takes its time to check if something is changed/different

Both nice, but not what I would like: I repeat, a silent tool that sits in my tray and "writes down" every change I make on filesystem in specified folders (or groups of folders, i.e. "projects"). Then, in no time other then that required to transfer/delete files via ftp, it should commit those changes only when I ask it to do that. Of course at every successful commit, the "log" file should be deleted (or renamed), so next time it can start with an empty one.

[VideoInPicture]

Hmmm, I think this would take a lot of work to implement if writing it from scratch (I'm not familiar with an open source program that can be made to do this).

This sounds quite similar to what SVN type software do since programmers use it to check out parts of a project and later upload it to the managing server so it can be synched. SVN keeps track of all the changes that happen inside a folder and what gets created or deleted. When you check the part of the project back in to the server, just the changes are recorded. A side benefit of SVN is that you get a history of your files at points in time since it keeps track of changes.

[insert_nick]

Thanks for reply. Yes I know SVN, but I was searching for a simpler and straightforward solution without the need of a SVN server or something like that, just plain FTP and a bit of good habits.

Digging better, I've found this free and open source tool, still not tried but from the description it seem quite similar to what I suggested: FTP Web Projects Publisher
I'm going to try it now, and let know here if it's ok.

[insert_nick]

Tried. It's a very nice tool, just exactly what I suggested.
I'd need only one more thing: it should synch also the stuff I delete locally, i.e. if I delete something it should delete it also on the remote server, while now it does not. Of course a confirmation prompt for every file going to be deleted would be a good thing.

[VideoInPicture]

That looks like a sweet app and it's built using VB.net too so I can understand the code too! Well, at least be able to read through the code. Perhaps you could try sending the author of that application an e-mail and see if he's still interested in making updates?

[insert_nick]

That's very good! Yes, I'm writing to them now, I'll let you know here.

[insert_nick]

Uhm, it seems my quick test of the app was not so good.
I tested it creating a file, and instantly appeared in the list with the "to push" icon, ready to be sent to server, and it seemed ok.

But when I modify the content of an existing file, or even if I just rename it, the tool doesn't keep track of it. I'm unsure if I'm doing something wrong.

Moreover, clicking on table headers should definetely order the rows accordingly.

And, it should be possible to hide in the list everything that doesn't need to be synchronized, so showing only added/changed/deleted stuff.

[insert_nick]

That's very good! Yes, I'm writing to them now, I'll let you know here.

-insert_nick (October 07, 2008, 06:34 AM)

Btw, mail sent. I'll give here news about eventual reply.

[insert_nick]

Feedback from author is that he's no longer touching that code, but he will be glad to update the project at sourceforge if any contributes will be done, giving the credit for them.
Do you are interested in looking a bit through the code to see if you can enhance it a bit?
If yes, no necessity for a quick reply, just have a look and then let me know if you think the things I've written above can be done. Take your time, bye.
PS: I have other good ideas for it to become a very very nice and useful tool for alone or team development (especially when SVN is not an option, i.e. on shared hosting), but I'll write them only if someone is interested in taking that codebase and work a bit on the project.

[VideoInPicture]

I will take a more thorough look through the code when I have a larger chunk of time to dedicate to it since I'm interested in how the FTP code works.

[insert_nick]

I hope you'll succeed finding that larger chunk of time (I do know this is the hardest task ;)

Just to let you know, your eventual efforts on this side will be part of a wider "synch method for web developers", involving synching of both the filesystem and the database side. By now we're focused on the cool MODx cmf (so that we touch both sites' and web apps' development):

http://modxcms.com/forums/index.php/topic,29169.msg179482.html#msg179482

Some day, when all the pieces will be in place, I'd like to create and update a website proposing the method with all the explanations, detailed tutorial, the tools, and of course the names of the contributors.

[insert_nick]

Any news on this topic?