Synchronisation tools

[Eóin]

I thought I’d start up a discussion on available Synchronisation tools as I haven’t been able to find one which I’m happy with.

I’d better explain what I’m looking for first, I want a neat way to backup my programming projects, my ideal tool would perform incremental backups with a possibility to rollback.

Currently I use Synchronize It! It’s nice and has a number of important features which I’m looking for; with a combination of excluding certain folder names and filetypes I can get it to ignore binary files and just back up the source code for example. It doesn’t do incremental backups so currently I just backup to an empty folder which I date, 7z and copy into my backup folders.

Another possibility I’ve considered is running a subversion server on the backup computer at home, this would do the incremental backups I’d like but the current GUIs for subversion leave a lot to be desired. I use RapidSVN for other purposes but it doesn’t feel slick and certainly isn’t intuitive. I’m not prepared to install TortiseSVN as I just don’t want something which integrates with the shell. I reserve that privilege only for apps I use very VERY frequently. More importantly getting it to ignore the binary files is tedious and I don’t have the space to back up gigs of dll and import libraries (thank you Boost ).

I should also point out the Microsoft have release a free SyncToy, unfortunately its very simplistic with none of the advanced features I’m looking for.

Maybe people might like to share their own experiences and post links to any little gems they’ve found.

[f0dder]

There's WinMerge and Beyond Compare

Getting tortoise to ignore binaries isn't too bad, there's global ignore-filters

[Eóin]

Thanks for the links, that Beyond Compare was on discount on bits du jour just recently. Apps that go down into the file level and check for differences are almost too powerful. I happy enough to simply backup a whole new file it there is even just a small change, what I want to avoid is re-backing up a whole directory when only a single file has changed.

What I'd like is an app which could take a daily snapshot of a folder and it subfolders say so that I could go back to previous backups if a recent one was accidently corrupted or for whatever reason I may need to go back.

[f0dder]

BC has also been on discount here a couple of times, as well as been offered as a prize. And yeah, after reading your post more thoroughly it seems those are a bit overkill

Perhaps give http://www.diginaut.com/shareware/fw/ a try - I think that's what one of the admins from another Danish museum uses.

EDIT: sorry, no, he uses http://peccatte.kare...Idem/idemhelpeng.htm

[mouser]

Eóin,
we defininitely need to do a proper review of incremental versioned backup tools.

for a review that touches on these, see:
https://www.donation...ckUpGuide/index.html

and the discussion related to that review:
https://www.donation...index.php?board=29.0

[Eóin]

Thanks for those links, SyncBack looks nice, definitly more powerful than Synchronize It! EaseBackup looks like its just what I want, I'll give the 30 day trial a spin.

[zridling]

My vote goes to DirSync. It's highly accurate, easy to use, configurable, and doesn't cost a fortune. I sync the crap out of my files using this tool daily. I like SyncBack also, but have found its limitations tiresome. Also, the developer NEVER came out with SyncBack Pro, despite taking my money for the upgrade!

[f0dder]

Oh, btw... what about rsync for nix?

[mouser]

you know the use of the term "sync" in Eóin's post is somewhat confusing.
2 very different kinds of programs are being talked about here:
1) a sync tool for synchronizing directoris
2) an incremental versioned backup tool

even though Eóin mentions wanting a "sync tool", his description is really for an incremental versioned backup tool:

I’d better explain what I’m looking for first, I want a neat way to backup my programming projects, my ideal tool would perform incremental backups with a possibility to rollback.

in this case, you really want to look at that backup review and section and look for a backup tool not a sync tool.

[JeffK]

I would like a program that sort of ties in synchronisation and duplicate file finding together.  The synchronisation wouldn't be just between manually selected source and target folders but would also answer the question "Does this "source" file also exist in the target directory or any on its subdirectories?"

Jeff

[Veign]

For a true SyncTool I like MS's SyncToy.  This tool works great, is fast, and is free...

[Eóin]

mouser is correct, I was confusing terms . Incremental backup is more along the lines I was looking for and found that review very helpful, thanks.

[zridling]

Oh man, then it's Beyond Compare I'd say, no doubt. You'd be hard pressed to find anything to beat it.

[masu]

Doey any of the tools above support Realtime synchronizing?
e.g. I change a file, the program discover this change and sync the file to the backup directory.

[tomos]

Doey any of the tools above support Realtime synchronizing?
e.g. I change a file, the program discover this change and sync the file to the backup directory.

-masu (October 28, 2007, 01:05 PM)

masu
[edit: this not synching but versioning - still very worth a look]
you should have a look at Filehamster - there's a couple of threads about it lately:
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=7492.0
& a list:
https://www.donation...2;search=Filehamster

there's now a paid version but the free version is still very comprehensive

they have very good forums too

[masu]

thanks for the hint
I will have a look at filehamster