Living with 2 Macs

[houltmac]

I have finally decided to change my setup. For the longest time (6 or 7 years now, maybe a bit longer) I have had a notebook as my main machine. This started with Windows notebooks and continued in my Mac experience. My first Mac was a PowerBook 15", then a MacBook, a second MacBook but now I am changing.

The new plan was inspired by the MacBook Air. I didn't feel it was worth it to carry a MacBook around as a travel machine, but it was more than worth it as a desktop replacement. So long as everything was consolidated to that one machine it made sense. Now, I have purchased a new iMac 24" which is my main machine at home and I will be purchasing a MacBook Air as a true travel machine. This was really made possible by it's weight, mid-range power and Leopard.

I have started using my current MacBook in the way I plan to use the MacBook Air when it's available and am amazed at how well it works. I barely need any storage space on the road, I don't feel a need to back it up as it's a fairly clean install and .Mac syncing is making it a pleasure. I am syncing everything available; calendars, contacts, dashboard widgets, dock items, keychains, mail accounts (et al), notes, system preferences... and bookmarks.

As a Safari user by choice this is seemless, and I love the features. There is however one simple issue; RSS. I keep my RSS feeds in a folder on the Bookmarks Bar in Safari. This is a common and simple setup. When I have had my MacBook on at work all day I come home having checked through the news and updates (many work related ) I sit at my iMac to find the same stories appearing on the iMac. How annoying is that?! Perhaps not very for some, but I use RSS quite heavily and rely on it for many reasons. Not having them sync will cost me at least 30 minutes a night (and each morning also when I change back to the MacBook) and that figure could rise up to 90 minutes on a day like WWDC keynote day.

My first question then is why isn't this information synced alongside the bookmarks? It can't be that hard. My next question is... does anyone have a temporary solution to this until SPJ reads my informative and entertaining post and asks the same question? Any ideas would be appreciated.

[baseballboy828]

Switch to NNW. You can sync feeds and read status for free.

[divigation]

Google Reader ftw.

[philbowell]

I'm with BBB go for NNW. If you don't need the web interface it can sync through .Mac, alternatively you could use the web side of it all (Newsgator) on your iPhone.

[Jugger Grimrodd]

@Houltmac - Have you ordered the Air yet? I hope that when you get it, you will favor us with some unboxing photos and a review. I am entertaining the idea of doing the same thing. It's either going to be an entry level MacBook or the Air. I think the main difference between your strategy and mine, is that I expect to keep my hardware for about 2.5 years. I am really concerned about the lack of RAM and HDD space (although, you are right - it is a traveller and not my primary machine). Go forth brave trailblazer, bask in the warm glow of "Thinnovation"!

[baseballboy828]

Another plus of going the NNW/NewsGator route is the iPhone. Although only a web interface currently exists (which is still pretty snappy for a web app), a true app will probably surface once the SDK comes out. Being able to read headlines with no edge or wifi access would be great.

[J Walk]

I really like the way your setup will work. If I have the money, I will be getting a MacBook Air and using it as a portable accent to the iMac I currently work on.

That way, I can use the iMac for the new Remote Disc feature as well as external storage.

Despite negative comments from initial reactions, I think Apple nailed it with MacBook Air.

[houltmac]

Without wanting to turn this thread into an RSS reader debate, I don't want to use another reader. Much as I can see the benefits of other readers I still can't understand how (for me at least) it makes sense to have another app for my RSS feeds. If I am using RSS I am going to be poking around online in a web browser. Safari has great RSS integration for ease of use and easy reading. Additionally, when I get home I often restart my router and read the offline feeds while it restarts. I couldn't do this with an online reader.

I have tried all sorts, but I want to use Safari. There has to be a way around this.

@Jugger/J Walk: Thanks guys, I hope it works out! I will take photos of the unboxing and of the setup, and follow up with a review of the machine as well as updating how living with 2 Macs works out. As stated on MacBreak Tech this week also; the more machines you sync, the more backups you have aside from your actual backup strategy. I will have 2 (maybe 3) machines as well as my iPhone. My contacts are very, very safe.

[baseballboy828]

There is almost nothing you can do for Safari with two macs. I looked at Safari for RSS when I switched to OS X but decided against it. It's missing a few features such as OPML export and many more that I use everyday.

[Ginamos]

Lonnie wrote some scripts to sync Safari RSS amongst other things, it can be found in page 2 of this thread "sync and automator", they may be useful if you want to rig up your own solution.

The file you want to synchronise between your machines, is called database3 in ~\Library\Syndication. You can even have a look inside the file, if you download an SQLite editor.

Personally I'd go with NNW, I've been using it since it's gone free, and have been very impressed. NNW automatically syncs to a central server on opening and closing the app. I was a big fan of Safari RSS, but I now prefer the way a dedicated reader segregates RSS with the general browsing I do in Safari, especially if the Reader has its own built-in browser.