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Update on sync services
By Tim | July 17, 2009
I realised I haven’t done an update on my trials and experiences using synchronised file systems for some time so an update is due.
For newcomers I was interested in ways of matching the files on my computer to other computers that I use in other locations, allowing user free updating and effectively a free form of backup due to the files being spread around.
I had tried out a number of different systems, and from December settled on using Live Mesh (the Microsoft offering) as it seemed to embody the best of all the other offerings. Basically it provides 5gb of online storage, a web interface to access the files you store, and a desktop client software app that synchronises your local files with the web store files and is Mac and Windows compatible. At the time I was also a big user of Microsoft Groove but had experienced a number of hiccups and so reliability was going to be a key determining factor for me.
The synchronisation side has worked flawlessly since starting. From that time I’ve moved employer, changed laptop and desktop and yet everything has kept working. The limitation of my current employer is being unable to install the desktop client but having the web interface means I can access anything I need.
Pre-requisites are basically having a Windows Live account (a Hotmail account is one of these or set a new one up), and an internet connection. The client app installs using Windows XP, Vista and 7, as well as OS/X 10.5 (but not earlier versions), and you will need install privileges or a friendly admin to install it for you.
You could use the system purely by the web interface but it is far easier having the desktop client installed as you can then set your My Documents folder to synchronise and then just save files as you normally do. I’d recommend not including folders that store photos if you are a regular snapper as digital photos will more quickly use up your available free storage allowance. I’ve not yet hit the storage limit.
I am also planning to give Google Docs another try since Apple have finally introduced iPhone Desktop v3 with copy and paste as you can at last properly create and manipulate documents on the phone (plus there’s no LiveMesh for iPhone yet and I’m not holding my breath for this one….)
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Topics: Web apps, iPhone | 1 Comment »
January 15th, 2010 at 10:50 am
[...] last wrote on file synchronisation systems back in July, and the news of Google’s storage option for any documents (not just Google Docs) prompted an [...]