Sync Laptop & Desktop

[tomos]

P.S. And it's also for situations when you want to force the direction of the sync, i.e. when you want to ignore certain changes for certain files or folders on one machine and overwrite them with older versions from the other machine.

-dr_andus (February 02, 2016, 06:30 PM)

Just to clarify when this might be useful. Image you have the same already synced copy of a database file on the desktop and on a laptop. Then you do a lot of changes on the laptop to that file.

Then you reopen the same database application later on the desktop, to check something without changing anything. However, even that would have modified the file, as lots of database type apps might modify a file when you just open it to look at it.

Some cloud services might pick the desktop version as the latest version and overwrite the laptop version that has the important changes. Allway Sync allows you to review the files and force the sync in the direction in which you want it to happen, not which file was changed last.

-dr_andus (February 03, 2016, 12:16 PM)

a good argument for also having good local backup on each machine with multiple versions saved -- for that time when you just forget that you opened that database...

[tomos]

From another thread:

For what it's worth, Dropbox fits my needs most of the time, but every time I use Mega I become more and more impressed with it. It also has mobile apps (iOS/Android) and desktop clients for Windows, OSX, and Linux, as well as browser extensions. And the 50GB of storage is nice, too.

-Deozaan (February 04, 2016, 10:53 PM)

another option, especially for lots of data. (No idea how or how well the sync works though.)

[keithy397]

From another thread:

For what it's worth, Dropbox fits my needs most of the time, but every time I use Mega I become more and more impressed with it. It also has mobile apps (iOS/Android) and desktop clients for Windows, OSX, and Linux, as well as browser extensions. And the 50GB of storage is nice, too.

-Deozaan (February 04, 2016, 10:53 PM)

another option, especially for lots of data. (No idea how or how well the sync works though.)

-tomos (February 05, 2016, 04:03 AM)

Thanks Tom, I'll take a proper look later but the blurb I read (quickly) sounds good.

[Deozaan]

My experience with Mega is limited only to Windows and Android clients. And the browser-based client.

The Android client works a lot like the Dropbox client for Android. It lets you navigate your files and folders and click on files to download them to your device. You can also upload from your device, or just get a link to share a file/folder with someone else. It has more features and options than that, but that covers probably 90+% of what you'd want to do with Mega on Android.

The Windows client runs quietly in the tray, automatically syncing as per your settings. You can set up multiple local directories to sync to your Mega account for a "selective sync" by linking your local directories to certain subdirectories in your Mega account. Or you can just link one local directory to the "root" of your Mega account for a full sync (like how Dropbox works with everything having to be in the Dropbox folder.) The client's UI also shows you recently changed/added files, how much of your 50GB you're using, gives you quick access to your local Mega folder or your account on the Mega website, shows syncing status, etc.

It also has some interesting looking features (which I've never used because I only just found out about them while checking out the client for this writeup) such as "Import Links" which allows you to paste in a Mega link (or several in batch) to add them to your Mega account. "Stream from Mega" allows you to choose a file on your Mega account (or a Mega link from someone else's account) and stream it. I'm assuming this is for videos and possibly audio, but it looks like it allows you to select which application to open the file(s) with so I guess anything that makes sense to do that with will work.

And one major nice thing about Mega over Dropbox is that Mega has end-to-end encryption, so they can't snoop on or leak your files like Dropbox can and has.

In fact, writing this up, I've practically convinced myself to switch over to Mega from Dropbox. Hmm...

[keithy397]

My experience with Mega is limited only to Windows and Android clients. And the browser-based client.

The Android client works a lot like the Dropbox client for Android. It lets you navigate your files and folders and click on files to download them to your device. You can also upload from your device, or just get a link to share a file/folder with someone else. It has more features and options than that, but that covers probably 90+% of what you'd want to do with Mega on Android.

The Windows client runs quietly in the tray, automatically syncing as per your settings. You can set up multiple local directories to sync to your Mega account for a "selective sync" by linking your local directories to certain subdirectories in your Mega account. Or you can just link one local directory to the "root" of your Mega account for a full sync (like how Dropbox works with everything having to be in the Dropbox folder.) The client's UI also shows you recently changed/added files, how much of your 50GB you're using, gives you quick access to your local Mega folder or your account on the Mega website, shows syncing status, etc.

It also has some interesting looking features (which I've never used because I only just found out about them while checking out the client for this writeup) such as "Import Links" which allows you to paste in a Mega link (or several in batch) to add them to your Mega account. "Stream from Mega" allows you to choose a file on your Mega account (or a Mega link from someone else's account) and stream it. I'm assuming this is for videos and possibly audio, but it looks like it allows you to select which application to open the file(s) with so I guess anything that makes sense to do that with will work.

And one major nice thing about Mega over Dropbox is that Mega has end-to-end encryption, so they can't snoop on or leak your files like Dropbox can and has.

In fact, writing this up, I've practically convinced myself to switch over to Mega from Dropbox. Hmm...

-Deozaan (February 05, 2016, 12:46 PM)

Thanks for that Deozaan, high praise indeed.  I've worked out some simple functionality and for the time being I think I'll use baby steps until I get the feel for it.  I had no idea about Dropbox leaking info.....

[Deozaan]

I had no idea about Dropbox leaking info.....

-keithy397 (February 05, 2016, 05:11 PM)

If you want to know more about that, just Google "Dropbox security breach" and/or check out the Privacy Concerns section on the Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia...ropbox_%28service%29

[Deozaan]

Mega is updating its terms of service, one of the changes allows for termination of inactive/unreachable accounts:

Termination of free accounts for inactivity or failure to respond: MEGA provides one of the most generous free accounts around – 50 GB of user encrypted storage – for free! However, some users have become inactive and we are unable to contact them. We also need to make sure that we can contact all our users should we need to issue any notices. We’ve therefore instituted an option for MEGA to terminate inactive accounts or non-responsive accounts after 3 months. Rest assured, MEGA does not want to lose legitimate customers, so you will receive ample notice before we do this. It’s an important reason though to make sure the email address in your account details is up to date now and is kept up to date, otherwise you won’t get that notice. You can update your contact and login email address at https://mega.nz/#fm/account/profile.[/quote/

[keithy397]

Mega is updating its terms of service, one of the changes allows for termination of inactive/unreachable accounts:

Termination of free accounts for inactivity or failure to respond: MEGA provides one of the most generous free accounts around – 50 GB of user encrypted storage – for free! However, some users have become inactive and we are unable to contact them. We also need to make sure that we can contact all our users should we need to issue any notices. We’ve therefore instituted an option for MEGA to terminate inactive accounts or non-responsive accounts after 3 months. Rest assured, MEGA does not want to lose legitimate customers, so you will receive ample notice before we do this. It’s an important reason though to make sure the email address in your account details is up to date now and is kept up to date, otherwise you won’t get that notice. You can update your contact and login email address at https://mega.nz/#fm/account/profile.[/quote/

Thanks Deozaan.

Since a few days ago I've stopped looking as I finally managed to sort out my home network and purchased an external hdd to manually backup my stuff via Syncback.  I think that serves my needs just fine being able to share info from Laptop to Desktop and doing the basic copy from one device to another if necessary.

I would like to thank all you guys for pitching in.  I picked up some invaluable info along the way.

Many thanks...

-Deozaan (February 17, 2016, 08:00 PM)

[sarwanov]

I didn't understand what are you looking for???

[keithy397]

I wanted to be able to sync my Laptop and Desktop.

[ppass]

Syncback

-Carol Haynes (February 02, 2016, 08:56 PM)

Definitely a very good option. In Syncback, just create a sync profile. It works both ways (a file added / modified on your laptop will become added/modified on your desktop and vice versa).

Be careful not to modify the same file both on the laptop and desktop at the same time, otherwise there will be a conflict (SynBack Pro will ask you which version of the file you want to keep). This is not a cloud solution, no need for an Internet connection.

[keithy397]

Syncback

-Carol Haynes (February 02, 2016, 08:56 PM)

Definitely a very good option. In Syncback, just create a sync profile. It works both ways (a file added / modified on your laptop will become added/modified on your desktop and vice versa).

Be careful not to modify the same file both on the laptop and desktop at the same time, otherwise there will be a conflict (SynBack Pro will ask you which version of the file you want to keep). This is not a cloud solution, no need for an Internet connection.

-ppass (September 19, 2016, 02:43 AM)

Hi ppass,

I do have Syncback (and have had for quite some time) on my Laptop and I understand what you're saying but how do I connect it to the Desktop as well as the Laptop?  There is only one Ethernet socket on the external HDD.  The only way I can think of is via Wifi??  I have just realised.....  My two machines are linked via my wifi so if I search for the Desktop files via my Laptop to select the Desktop files to backup and then select the same file in my Syncback files on my HDD......  Is that what you mean?   

Cheers,
Keith

[ppass]

Hi ppass,

I do have Syncback (and have had for quite some time) on my Laptop and I understand what you're saying but how do I connect it to the Desktop as well as the Laptop?  There is only one Ethernet socket on the external HDD.  The only way I can think of is via Wifi??  I have just realised.....  My two machines are linked via my wifi so if I search for the Desktop files via my Laptop to select the Desktop files to backup and then select the same file in my Syncback files on my HDD......  Is that what you mean?   

Cheers,
Keith

-keithy397 (September 19, 2016, 07:17 AM)

You can use a portable device like an external hard disk to do the go-between. You Sync your desktop to the USB hard disk, then sync the USB hard disk to the laptop. Or you can just use the desktop and the USB hard disk and plug the USB hard disk to your laptop when you need to work on the data, without having to actually write the data to the laptop.

If your laptop and desktop are on the same LAN, and you have admin rights, you can share a folder to make it visible on the network and you can map a network drive, then put the proper source / destination in the smart sync profile. I have not tested it but it should work.

More advanced features of SyncBack Pro enable you to sync to the cloud (SharePoint / OneDrive for example) both ways (with your Laptop and your desktop).

[keithy397]

P.S. And it's also for situations when you want to force the direction of the sync, i.e. when you want to ignore certain changes for certain files or folders on one machine and overwrite them with older versions from the other machine.

-dr_andus (February 02, 2016, 06:30 PM)

Just to clarify when this might be useful. Image you have the same already synced copy of a database file on the desktop and on a laptop. Then you do a lot of changes on the laptop to that file.

Then you reopen the same database application later on the desktop, to check something without changing anything. However, even that would have modified the file, as lots of database type apps might modify a file when you just open it to look at it.

Some cloud services might pick the desktop version as the latest version and overwrite the laptop version that has the important changes. Allway Sync allows you to review the files and force the sync in the direction in which you want it to happen, not which file was changed last.

-dr_andus (February 03, 2016, 12:16 PM)

a good argument for also having good local backup on each machine with multiple versions saved -- for that time when you just forget that you opened that database...

-tomos (February 04, 2016, 03:13 PM)

Okeydokey!!   I've got my head around it now, thanks for the heads up guys in that respect.   

[MarkLasby]

The license requirements for the free version of Allways Sync are quite restrictive. If you do not qualify for a free licenses with Allways Sync, the cost of the Pro version is $26 for the first computer plus $16 for each additional USB device or computer.

A good competitor is GoodSync by Siber Systems which I have been using for about 10 years with no issues. They also have Mac, Android and Linux versions. I have used the Android version for about 6 years but not the Mac or Linux versions.

GoodSync has a free version with quantity of files limitations after 30 days. They charge $30 for their Pro version for the first computer plus $10 for each additional computer. They do not charge for additional USB devices. They also have a USB based version for $40 which can be used on 1 USB device with any number of computers.

[keithy397]

I'll take a look at GoodSync later.  I've got a version of Allways Sync on my Laptop but haven't used it in a while.  I've not long got in so I'll start with setting up Syncback which I'm hoping will work otherwise it's setting up from scratch..... 

Thanks for the info Mark.