Comments on: Syncing with multiple Macs http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/ TheAppleBlog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:49:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Brian B. http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-110177 Brian B. Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:45:31 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-110177 <B>Confessions of a Multi-Mac Pack-Rat</B> I also need to sync folders across Macs, as I use my MBP as my exclusive work machine, but I also will use the Mini at home for things too -- depending on where I left my MBP in the house (yeah, this is a stretch), but the big advantage to the Mini is the rack of storage that I have shackled to it. Running Parallels on the MBP, I looked one day and found that my nice new 160GB drive had a whopping 40GB free, and I needed to off-load some of the less frequently used files to the Mini's disk farm and the Maxtor NAS, but I also want to be able to grab things, work on them, and then put them back -- almost a check-out/check-in situation. Much to my surprise and delight I found that there is a free file and folder synchronization utility that is included in the (free!) Apple Developer Tools, in the utilities folder, called FileMerge. FileMerge is not a fully automated syncronization tool, but it did help me to make short(er) work of sorting out wonky folders that existed on two machines. I mounted a folder over the network, and then used FileMerge to diff the folders, created a new "synchronized" folder, archived the old one, and then put the new master folder in place on both machines -- or in many cases deleted it wholesale on the MBP, thus freeing up the gigabytes of space that I was taking up in more than one place (3 places simultaneously if you count the NAS backups -- which adds a little comfort in terms of peace of mind, but it's not very wise use of the available storage that I have). I also use .Mac synchronization and also sync my bluetooth enabled RAZR. I have found it to be invaluable in keeping sanity between my machines. The biggest bummer is that my wife, who has inherited my old PowerBook, cannot use .Mac sync because she has a mail-only account (an additional $10/year), and I will have to upgrade to the .Mac Family Pack ($180/year) to give her full sync capability. However, we currently have 5 additional email-only accounts for my mother and kids, so we're already paying $140 -- the additional $40/year for sync and full .Mac features for the others, I think it's worth it. I only wish that Apple would provide a monthly billing feature. The annual renewal is always a hard pill to swallow. -B Confessions of a Multi-Mac Pack-Rat

I also need to sync folders across Macs, as I use my MBP as my exclusive work machine, but I also will use the Mini at home for things too — depending on where I left my MBP in the house (yeah, this is a stretch), but the big advantage to the Mini is the rack of storage that I have shackled to it.

Running Parallels on the MBP, I looked one day and found that my nice new 160GB drive had a whopping 40GB free, and I needed to off-load some of the less frequently used files to the Mini’s disk farm and the Maxtor NAS, but I also want to be able to grab things, work on them, and then put them back — almost a check-out/check-in situation.

Much to my surprise and delight I found that there is a free file and folder synchronization utility that is included in the (free!) Apple Developer Tools, in the utilities folder, called FileMerge.

FileMerge is not a fully automated syncronization tool, but it did help me to make short(er) work of sorting out wonky folders that existed on two machines. I mounted a folder over the network, and then used FileMerge to diff the folders, created a new “synchronized” folder, archived the old one, and then put the new master folder in place on both machines — or in many cases deleted it wholesale on the MBP, thus freeing up the gigabytes of space that I was taking up in more than one place (3 places simultaneously if you count the NAS backups — which adds a little comfort in terms of peace of mind, but it’s not very wise use of the available storage that I have).

I also use .Mac synchronization and also sync my bluetooth enabled RAZR. I have found it to be invaluable in keeping sanity between my machines. The biggest bummer is that my wife, who has inherited my old PowerBook, cannot use .Mac sync because she has a mail-only account (an additional $10/year), and I will have to upgrade to the .Mac Family Pack ($180/year) to give her full sync capability. However, we currently have 5 additional email-only accounts for my mother and kids, so we’re already paying $140 — the additional $40/year for sync and full .Mac features for the others, I think it’s worth it.

I only wish that Apple would provide a monthly billing feature. The annual renewal is always a hard pill to swallow.
-B

]]> By: Kim G http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106926 Kim G Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:38:48 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106926 I don't think .Mac is worth the price of admission in its currently buggy and feature lacking state. With Gmail (or any online email), Google Calendar (or 30Boxes, etc), Google Docs, Google Reader, and Google Browser Sync all being free, and with Google Gears (allows you to save info locally, aka backup), I don't need .Mac. Add to the mix programs from 37Signals, del.icio.us, etc... and you're set. I don’t think .Mac is worth the price of admission in its currently buggy and feature lacking state. With Gmail (or any online email), Google Calendar (or 30Boxes, etc), Google Docs, Google Reader, and Google Browser Sync all being free, and with Google Gears (allows you to save info locally, aka backup), I don’t need .Mac. Add to the mix programs from 37Signals, del.icio.us, etc… and you’re set.

]]> By: Brandon Eley http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106919 Brandon Eley Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:25:40 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106919 I don't sync my mail, so I don't have a lot of experience with those issues. I primarily sync my calendar and address book through .Mac and sync my bookmarks through Del.icio.us Bookmarks. I find it works extremely well for me. I don’t sync my mail, so I don’t have a lot of experience with those issues. I primarily sync my calendar and address book through .Mac and sync my bookmarks through Del.icio.us Bookmarks. I find it works extremely well for me.

]]> By: Simon Harris http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106913 Simon Harris Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:02:09 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106913 I use quicksilver and the delicious plugin so they go with me no matter which browser I'm using. I use quicksilver and the delicious plugin so they go with me no matter which browser I’m using.

]]> By: Rudi http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106911 Rudi Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:26:43 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106911 I have a .mac account and I sync three macs with this. Usually works okay, but I´m annoyed with some of the bugs that occur. Sometimes events in my calender shifts a few days forward, or my contacts lose their picture. Stuff like that. I find that I can´t trust it completely. I want to study it´s habits and find out why these bugs are happening. I have a .mac account and I sync three macs with this. Usually works okay, but I´m annoyed with some of the bugs that occur. Sometimes events in my calender shifts a few days forward, or my contacts lose their picture. Stuff like that. I find that I can´t trust it completely. I want to study it´s habits and find out why these bugs are happening.

]]> By: Daniel http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106891 Daniel Thu, 28 Jun 2007 06:49:50 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106891 I'm using rsync+ssh to commit my data to my server everytime i switch from my mac mini to my powerbook or vice versa and then I check it out again on the other machine. Works pretty well for me, except the fact that it is not really syncing since you always have to remember if you have to check in or out now and merging of data also isn't possible. I’m using rsync+ssh to commit my data to my server everytime i switch from my mac mini to my powerbook or vice versa and then I check it out again on the other machine. Works pretty well for me, except the fact that it is not really syncing since you always have to remember if you have to check in or out now and merging of data also isn’t possible.

]]> By: Wolf http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106889 Wolf Thu, 28 Jun 2007 06:35:40 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106889 Google browser sync is also out there. Not too shabby on Mac yet, tho. Google browser sync is also out there. Not too shabby on Mac yet, tho.

]]> By: Vincent http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106887 Vincent Thu, 28 Jun 2007 06:06:58 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106887 hello from France, I'm freelancer graphic designer. Between an imac (work) and a macbook (home), i use Synk Pro with an 2"1/2 firewire external HD, excluding some folders/files (like the work files, p2p settings & files, etc.). Works like a charm. hello from France,
I’m freelancer graphic designer. Between an imac (work) and a macbook (home), i use Synk Pro with an 2″1/2 firewire external HD, excluding some folders/files (like the work files, p2p settings & files, etc.). Works like a charm.

]]> By: Ramón http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106871 Ramón Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:18:29 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106871 My issue around having two Macs (12" Powerbook & 20" G5 iMac) is that the Powerbook will not receive all of the emails that the iMac will. I have identical mailboxes and rules, yet some will go to the Powerbook and others won't. I find myself trudging to the iMac when I hear designated mailbox sounds because I know that it won't kick over to the Powerbook. I've done all of the above in Snyc and System Preferences - still doesn't happen. My issue around having two Macs (12″ Powerbook & 20″ G5 iMac) is that the Powerbook will not receive all of the emails that the iMac will.
I have identical mailboxes and rules, yet some will go to the Powerbook and others won’t.
I find myself trudging to the iMac when I hear designated mailbox sounds because I know that it won’t kick over to the Powerbook.
I’ve done all of the above in Snyc and System Preferences - still doesn’t happen.

]]> By: halfeatenfish http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106869 halfeatenfish Wed, 27 Jun 2007 23:39:31 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106869 Chronosync.. it can be tricky with dynamic IP addresses, but its workable... certainly with static IPs Chronosync.. it can be tricky with dynamic IP addresses, but its workable… certainly with static IPs

]]> By: Mike Perry http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106860 Mike Perry Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:33:34 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/06/27/syncing-with-multiple-macs/#comment-106860 What we're talking about it a little password protected space online, something a lot of us already have. Why doesn't Apple let us use our own password protected sites to store this information? Why should we have to pay this .Mac tax for what should be a free-to-all feature? Alternatively, someone could come up with a way to tweak iSync to give us this ability. What we’re talking about it a little password protected space online, something a lot of us already have. Why doesn’t Apple let us use our own password protected sites to store this information? Why should we have to pay this .Mac tax for what should be a free-to-all feature?

Alternatively, someone could come up with a way to tweak iSync to give us this ability.

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