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General discussion

How do you keep docs in sync without the use of the cloud?

Jul 28, 2017 4:09PM PDT

I use an iMac at home and a MacBook Pro for travel. My problem is how to keep the documents that I work on with both computers in sync. I really can’t just save all the documents in the cloud instead of on each hard drive because I am frequently without Wi-Fi when in my motorhome. I have been using Finder and having the files organized by “date last modified” and comparing the two computers, but I still manage to miss some, overwrite newer documents with older ones, etc. Any suggestions? Thank you.

--Submitted by Frank B.

Post was last edited on July 28, 2017 4:10 PM PDT

Discussion is locked

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backup too
Aug 5, 2017 6:51AM PDT

Notice: I said backup too

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Thanks for noting TWO DRIVES.
Aug 5, 2017 7:27AM PDT

Externals are great things but you've read the stories. It's painful to read them over and over.

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Try FreeFileSync
Aug 5, 2017 6:11AM PDT

It has versions for Linux, Windows and MacOS. It can be configured to filter out unwanted files, can use remote fil sharin such as samba or NFS, or you can use SFTP.
It also has a command line version beside the GUI version.

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Intermittent WiFI syncing files
Aug 5, 2017 6:41AM PDT

I have a very similar situation. I travel, I have a real office, home office and often use multiple platforms.
IPad, Mac Pro, Windows and even Ubuntu on a back up laptop.
Often traveling, setting up a hot spot is a pain, and my home was giving me fits for connectivity.
I have several GB of data that *may* require access. Often, it is a much smaller quantity.

I highly recommend Dropbox (Pro if you need a TB of space). Files are with me (except only selected files on the iPad), and as soon as the machine finds cloud access it automatically syncs. If, somehow, I have managed to alter the same file on two machines, Dropbox keeps copies of both. Then I can figure out what I have done. This seldom occurs, but has on a few occasions.

Rsync might work, other solutions might work. They may be less money. There may be other cloud sync services like Box, or Microcrap cloud. YMMV with your choice.
My money goes to Dropbox. If they ever go public, I am buying stock.

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No Cloud
Aug 5, 2017 12:00PM PDT

He said "no cloud". Sounds like no connectivity.

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USB drive
Aug 5, 2017 11:44AM PDT

Keep all your files on a USB drive, and work on them from the drive.

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Thanks, everyone.
Aug 5, 2017 9:23PM PDT

Great suggestions. Between my new WiFI hotspot (Mobley) with iCloud or Dropbox and/or an external HD, I should be able to make this work. I'll fool around with it to see which I prefer.

Frank

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Keeping files in synch without the Cloud
Aug 6, 2017 7:04AM PDT

I keep everything backed up with Windows Home Server 2011, but also synchronize documents in two ways:
1) On the cloud using Microsoft OneDrive (not relevant to this question);
2) With FolderMatch from Salty-brine software. That lets me synchronize documents across multiple devices on my home network, and alerts me to the effect of name-changes that would simply result in duplication with a cloud solution. I also synchronize a USB stick, so can take it elsewhere if necessary; when you want to set up a computer away from the home network, it provides a much faster method than downloading from the cloud.

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Active Sync and Microsoft exchange
Aug 6, 2017 3:12PM PDT

I just use Microsoft Active Sync and Exchange. If I am not in a WiFi active area or have no connection my phone acts as a hot spot. Mail, Calendar (booth Outlook),as well as to do lists, Etc, Everything I want on workstation, Phone, SurfaceBook syncs, does it quickly and accurately no matter where I am.
However, we no longer use Apple devices but I think that exchange and active sync do work on them.

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Allway Sync
Aug 6, 2017 8:53PM PDT

Sorry to be late to this discussion... I have been using Allway Sync between my work server and portable 2TB hard drive for about 10-ish years. I mainly use it for business, and I do have the pro version, but I seem to recall the free version was fairly decent. I think I bought the license because I fell in love with the product, and felt like the developers deserved it. It's very easy to use. It can be automated or manual (I run mine manually). My favorite feature is that you can bind the drive so that if the drive letter changes, it will still recognize it when it's connected to the system. I am exclusively in a Windows environment, but they do have other products/platforms available.

https://allwaysync.com