Microsoft Windows Live Mesh - 100 times better than FolderShare. [www.mesh.com]

Chris

@lilkeith7:
When were they giving away 5GB? I thought it was started with 2GB?

Nabeel Ahmed

I've always used windows briefcase, but now I feel naive. What do any of these do that briefcases don't?

redandblackhacker

I tried DropBox and got disenchanted with it, and for some reason I had to reinstall Windows [who doesn't these days?] and probably lost that DropBox invite. I'm just waiting for them to get out of private beta because I'm really starting to regret abandoning it :(
Meanwhile I'll try Syncplicity or Foldershare, and Live Mesh sounds interesting too :)

Nabeel Ahmed

Dropbox is awesome, nice and quick and able to share things with my parents too. I was lucky enough to sign up earlier when they were giving away 5GB so Im all set size wise.

lilkeith7

The 2 GB from drobox is for the beta only. Once they are out of beta the free accounts will be limited to 1 GB, unless you are in the beta, then your free account will stay at 2 GB.

aperson

currently syncplicity is my favorite but dropbox is catching up.

Wolfzre

I dont know where did you get the 2 GB sync for folder share beta. This is what I dug out from their documentation regarding the syncing feature:

* You can transfer files that don't exceed 4 gigabytes (GB). You can also create up to 10 libraries, each of which can contain up to 10,000 files.

For the remote access feature I believe there is unlimited access, but it is not secure P2P connection.

sturgman

Props for backing up your copy of Pearl Jam - Even Flow!

I use SyncToy at the moment but might try FolderShare (or the new Live Mesh that was just posted earlier today on LH.)

Solanthos

Mac Only: Synk

BingleyJoe

Brace yourself for fingernails + chalkboard.

GIT, it's a revision control system written by Linus to manage changes to the linux kernel.

If you've not left yet, this does a very 'time machine' thing in being able to go back to previous versions, it's a repository where you can pick the bits and pieces you want from a mess of files and it's sync is ridiculously efficient (kinda have to be for linux).

It takes some front end geeking but if you have heft to your file management / sync the payoffs are undeniable.

[git.or.cz]

I'd use nothing else now.

BTW, it's a not windows only.

MrSkinny

I am loving Dropbox! On a sidenote what would be the best way to sync iTunes between a Mac and a PC?

I read the other Lifehacker article, however that was only PC to PC iTunes syncing.

MacLover23

@Nabeel Ahmed: I signed up in the beginning of March and it was 5GB.

lilkeith7

Definitely Unison
[www.cis.upenn.edu]

streawkceur

You did not mention SecondCopy which is easy to set up and allows all sorts of possibilities. It keeps my laptop and desktop perfectly sycronized via WiFi.

Richardo

@sturgman: Yeah, I thought FolderShare it was unlimited total size, and 2GB per file max...

I've used SyncToy a lot, and have just downloaded FolderShare - there's no point in giving people services with tiny total limits - look how big your GMail inbox is now, we all grow to use the available space!

3B Web Design

Rsync saved my life.

I use it for incremental backups, for checking what I did on vacation [rsync -n --delete currentdir backupdir], for efficiently moving heaps of data over potentially spotty lines, and for sharing pop songs with pals. And unlike the five options above that are almost all Win-only, there are Windows/Mac/Cray/whatever versions, so you can use it whatever your environment.

fluff

I've got a few dropbox invites left if anyone needs one... email my username at gmail.com

kflott

@MrSkinny: yup :)

i'd also like to point out that dropbox also has a linux version currently in a very impressive 2nd alpha

bagano

Hmm... dropbox = kickass?

MrSkinny

I missed the hive five call and didn't get to add my favorite: SureSync,
[www.softwarepursuits.com]

SureSync's one killer feature: delete a file in one system and it will be deleted in the other system. It's what they call a "Multi-mirror" sync. It smartly knows if the file was added to system A or deleted from system B and does the appropriate task (copy or delete) to the other system. I've been using SureSync for almost 10 years.

dongadoy

I voted synctoy but live mesh is starting to look good to me. Especially when the windows mobile client comes out.

rothgar

Here to share some Dropbox invites email me: beeson dot brandon at gmail dot com

bbobjoe

All out of dropbox invites, those went fast! if I gave you an invite please share the love and invite some of those who didn't get one from me!

kflott

nothing for linux???

raphsabb

Hi -- Leonard from the Syncplicity team here. We just released an iPhone interface to Syncplicity that we're hoping to get feedback on.

Check it out at [blog.syncplicity.com] and let us know what you think!

leonard_chung

I was using FolderShare until they stopped allowing the Windows client to run on Windows server. I need to find a Windows Server + Windows XP + Mac solution, and DropBox isn't it. I need to try Sugar Sync (which I'm surprised didn't even get an honorable mention.)

Rick Lobrecht

i second the dropbox invites, email me above username @gmail.com

garfield1979

More dropbox invites, happy to spread the love!
email: stem peck at gmail.com (minus spaces)

mstem

I have dropbox invites to share: dan at danbutcher dot com

Dan Butcher

I use ChronoSync (Mac only) for lots of syncing tasks. Things like syncing folders on my home computer to my iPod automatically on mounting, then from my iPod to my work computer.

greygoo

@Nabeel Ahmed: If you want I have a few invites left.
Give me sign on Sehiene (at) gmail (dot) com, I'll send you one.

Oh Dropbox is simply the best: It's easy and most of all it's fast and for me living in Belgium that's not a given.

iridium_

OK. . .I've never tried dropbox, but the inability to select folders to sync seems to render it completely inferior to folder share. Also, why bother with a web interface. Drag and drop, upload, seems like extra work to me. Also, I don't think that there is a 2GB limit on foldershare- I've been syncing much larger volumes.

ayeroof

@Rick Lobrecht: most of the time there is an option to force the install on Server. I believe with Mesh it was just /force.

natenovs

I just gave out my last dropbox invite

joelena

"Dan B": Sorry folks, all mine are gone now.

Dan Butcher

I've got a few invites left. Send me an email at mike (DOT) sapak (AT) gmail (DOT) com

Mike_Sapak

I had been using a combo of free apps Foldershare/LogMeIn for years, but Foldershare had too many burps -- four, five or six -- every year. That meant I had to uninstall everything, find working copies of what I could, and then start from scratch. Beyond those glitches, it was good.

Dropbox has been, since I got in on the beta, perfect.

royb2000

@dongadoy: Dont most applications to this? I know that foldershare does... It seems to me that if a program does not delete files across computers it is pretty worthless.

RedHotSwami

Thanks to mstem, I can hand out some dropbox invites:

request one at my gmail address: joeledvina

joelena

Looking down at my system tray I see Dropbox, Foldershare, and now Live mesh... I am evaluating Live mesh, hoping I can use it to replace foldershare (once the mac version comes out anyway).

Dropbox has essentially replaced my thumb drive and I love the ability to get a url for a file in my dropbox... makes it super simple to share a file over IM.

Does anyone know what the limits are for syncing between two computers via Live mesh? I don't want or need to store anything in the cloud, just machine to machine. I have a 30 gb+ music collection that I am currently keeping synced across multiple machines via foldershare, but I am approaching the 10,000 file limit of foldershare. Same story for my photos. If Live Mesh can surpass that limit, I'm sold on it for syncing.

kflott

I've tried them all (and then some) over the years and Dropbox is the best. I would give mad love to Syncplicity, except that Google Docs sync feature -- the killer app for those of us writing in the cloud -- has been erratic and tech support hasn't yet responded to my pleas for help.

royb2000

I maintain rsync is the best. :)

Eris

I have a few dropbox invites.

email me at jamesreinhardt at gmail

Pete Venkman

My dropbox invites are gone. Maybe the people I invited will share a few.

Mike_Sapak

i take advantage of the fact that apple's applescript can be used to call unix commands, and to make double-click-to-launch applications. so i have a bunch of apps readily accessible on my desktop that use rsync to synchronize different sets of files or directories.

le_sacre

By the way, I've been using this functionality as a much better way of tackling the "Controlling my home BitTorrent from work" problem. I sync the two computers, and set up a "Torrents" folder and a "Downloads" folder. Tell uTorrent to watch that Torrents folder and auto-download (don't forget to turn off any dialog boxes that usually pop up before the download starts--file list, download location, whatever). Then point it to the Downloads folder for downloading.

So not only can you start the download from work, but you can grab the finished download, once it syncs. You have to keep the Downloads folder pretty cleaned out, obviously, but I don't have a problem with that. This is working like a charm for me.

spoko

you can share a dropbox folder with someone unlimited times (this also invited them)

anyone wanting an invite can email me (nico dot burns at gmail dot com), you will then get an email saying that i want to share a folder with you. accept, and you can sign up, we can then delete/unshare the folder.

bagano

Chronosync! It's a great sync app for the Mac. It'll auto mount/dismount network drives, keep archive copies of overwritten/deleted files, do one-way or two-way syncs, has a scheduler.... all for $30. Forever. All upgrades are free, even major versions.

barthrh

@kflott: I tried to use Foldershare to sync my music between computers and even when the files were identical every time I would attempt a sync it would want to create additional copies of the same files. How did you get it to sync correctly?

Syncing pics worked great for me. Music, not so much.

neil2121

syncBack. backup and sync in one means you only have to learn one program.

Dalhamir

All invites are gone.
Hopefully everybody I gave em to, will pass on the love!

Pete Venkman

@neil2121: I had similar problems with duplicate files... I had to get rid of the share in foldershare, then delete the copy of my music on all computers but one (I actually just renamed the folder so I had a backup just in case).
Then I recreated the share in foldershare and added all my machines to it... The inital sync takes a while, but I did it all on the same LAN so it wasn't that bad - I let it go overnight. After that, only modified files get tranferred.
Something I learned along the way, if itunes or your media player of choice modifies the files in anyway (which it does if you let it update missing information or organize your files) foldershare resyncs the entire file across machines. If the same file is modified on more than one computer foldershare duplicates the file which can get frustrating. I set itunes, windows media player, and any other programs I use to never try to organize the files for me or add missing information. I make any changes by hand or using stand alone utilities on one computer only and the changes get synced across computers.

kflott

nominate: rsync
vote: rsync
winner: rsync!

meowsqueak

dropbox can also be used as backup, i still have unlimited invites, as does everyone else even if they dont know it, (nico dot burns at gmail dot com)

bagano

@streawkceur: Yes - definitely Unison! I'm amazed that it wasn't submitted. It's cross-OS, GPL, requires no special privileges, can run over SSH or against local files, and is well-behaved.

For those of you touting rsync: I'm a big rsync fan, too... but Unison = rsync + (intelligent, interactive collision detection) + (text file merging).

I have some directories that I keep on my work and personal machines, and I can make offline updates at any location and then sync. If I have a textfile with a to-do list in it and I update it in two places, the text merge works well. I also keep a directory of installables that I consider 'portable' that get synced to my keychain USB key once in a while.

When you run a sync, it defaults to propagating all non-collision changes, with the option to override. If you delete something from one location, Unison keeps state and knows when a file was removed, and will propagate the removal at your discretion.

The GUI is a little hard to get used to at first, but once you've set up a profile, it's pretty hands-off until there's a collision ... and the GUI helps you sort those out quickly. The 'fastcheck' option compares just on date/time and file size. Without that, it will compare contents, even for binaries. To sidestep this, I keep a profile for my installables and another for my text files, in different trees. A minor inconvenience for what you get, IMO.

Only other drawback is that it's not in active development anymore. The original developers state on their site that they still use Unison every day, but they're concentrating on a new project that was called Harmony but is now called Boomerang, which I haven't investigated yet.

I use the 2.28 branch Gtk Windows binary from Alan Schmitt.

TychoTithonus

syncplicity all the way.

klumsy

Just remember folks, when any of the above falls out of sync, crashes due to too much data, or ceases to be an option because of the need for multi-platform support...unison will still be available.

MikeTheActuary

yay, go dropbox :)

Nxqd3051990

I'm hugely fond of Vice Versa from TGRMN.

Really solid desktop app - I've been using it for years now, and it sorts out myself and my business partner's various computer synchronisation. 2 Desktops, 2 Laptops, and we have to make sure we've got the same files across the board.

It's great.

Alex Leonard

Good on ya for the discussion of Syncplicity. For local syncing I really like Super Flexible File Synchronizer--it does a great job detecting moved directories. I cannot remember where I got it, but a google search should find it.

DangerousLiberal

+1 for Dropbox. It's super easy and quite speedy too.

However, it would be nice to have the option of using your own SFTP server with it.

William Hook

-1 for SyncBack. Installed, tested: Copy files from 'source' to 'dest' so they match, config sync profile in syncback, perform a sync, watch as 90% of the files (present in both places) are deleted from only one side.

Good job, syncback. \golfclap . I think we won't need to test with even a simulated difference situation, let-alone consider actually using it.

lunchbox

Mac only, SynchronizeProX www.qdea.com

Fast, flexible, easy. I use it with a USB drive and over LAN.

StevieQ

If anyone wants a dropbox invite, e-mail me @ gmail. My address is my user name here, but backwards.

aperson

Mesh will definitely be the go to sync app once its fully operational, at least for me.

rpsanders

[www.goodsync.com]

shokk

I tried FolderShare for a client of mine with about 20 GB of docs/photos/etc... sadly, FS met limits with #s of files, folders, and file names. I had to ditch it. Still trying to find a suitable alternative, free or paid, that can handle that amount of data reliably.... any ideas?

UnStatusTheQuo

Finally out of dropbox invites, but there should be plenty others out in the wild now!

mstem

Would love a Dropbox invite if there's one out there.

My email's my username at gmail.

schmod

I've been with Foldershare for quite a while, syncing 30gbs over 3 computers. It has worked like a charm except for 1 dead harddrive and countless hours troubleshooting. Can't wait to ditch that service.

In comes Syncplicity. I am really liking this app. It has been working fantastically for about a month. I am hoping it will replace Foldershare, Mozy and Box.net. I am really enjoying the share a link option to distribute single files to others. It has also been a pleasure working with the developers on issues and future developments.

I am also looking at Dropbox, but until they launch multiple folder sync, they are not a functional option.

tarch

Thanks! Much appreciated!

schmod

@schmod: Invite sent!

Monolith

What is it that people like about Dropbox more than Syncplicity? I've been trying both, and for the most part they seem the same. For me though, Syncplicity has the advantage because I can choose which folders to synchronize rather than being stuck with just one Dropbox.

Monolith

Dropbox invites. Email me:

"adam [dot] earn shaw" (no space). I'm with gmail.

adame

Re: Dropbox:

I hear they are going to fix the folder limitation issue before launch. In the meantime, there is a bit of a workaround: [forums.getdropbox.com]

spyscribbler

Maybe someone can help me out with my problem.
I'm trying to keep several databases available from my work location.
So, let's say I use dropbox and configure it to sync the folder in each pc where the databases are... I should have every database available from every location right?
Well... the thing is... I tried to do this with synctoy over the network I had problems cause the database It's constatly in use, and growing. Let's say I have a database 30 mb in size, after 1 second it's already larger (a couple of bytes... but dropbox will recogniza that and start uploading it again).
So, how whould dropbox sync it if the original file that's uploading to the server has already changed after the initial upload?
That was the problem I had with synctoy.

Anyone that has an idea of who to deal with this mail me some thought to nicotaku at hotmail dot com

pnikkosis

10 invites sent! All out.

adame

Dropbox invites to give. My username, twice, at GMail.

spoko

Hmmm, the five best sync tools all work on Windows
Two of them work on Mac..

NONE of them work with Linux?

Maybe this should have been broken up into 5 best per OS?

Coldmiser

If you are a poweruser with access to an online server, then don't waste your time with these toys and go straight to GoodSync. Frequent updates, super-smart developers with constant improvements (and fixes). Really, really impressive piece of software! PS - it is by the people who make RoboForm, don't even get me started on that life-saving gem...

Accuraty

My vote is for AAsync. Runs on Windows/Mac, will sync to any mounted volume using the free version either in backup or mirror modes (backup doesn't delete the remote copy when deleted from local). Supports logging, scheduling, and will sync any desired folder(s). Pay version adds FTP/SFTP/SSH support. Software license is only $29 and grants simultaneous use rights, not single machine rights (i.e. 2 licenses = 2 simultaneous users from anywhere on the network).

www.aasync.com

drbayer

Has anyone tried PowerFolder? Looks like a good alternative to FolderShare to run without any limits ($). I tried it a few years ago and it was too heavy to my liking, but they have made several improvements in that area apparently. I'd be interested to know if anyone is using it and their comments on it.

Thanks.

pboisso

OpenDrive ([www.opendrive.com]) all the way.

Zero3K

Ok, then where was beyond compare by scooter software? Granted it's not as 'warm and fuzzy friendly' as some of these, but if you want true synchronisation with ability to compare every little byte then this is the one!

ShyamalikaJuicy

I think you may have missed one of the great sync software called allwaysync, its free and amazing in terms of usage.

Also written a review on it if you like to share it with readers, see this [tinyurl.com]

technixupdate

I don't see any mention of ADrive ( http://www.adrive.com). Free accounts have a huge 50 (yes, five zero) gigs of storage, and a Windows client is now available to manage full and incremental uploads with scheduling. ADrive has a nice (Java) web interface too, for access from the browser. The only downside to the free personal account is the lack of SSL encryption, but since I encrypt anything sensitive or personal anyway, it really doesn't matter to me.

SanjivaniHizee

@redandblackhacker:

Looks to me that they just save but in most cases you have to be willing to make a sacrifice regarding how much data you can synchronize.

jupiterthunder

If the idea is synchronization, then I don't have much to say about Foldershare because I don't really use it in that regard. Primarily because my IT department has been unwilling to open access to the service. But it's pretty stout for remote access. It allows you to access any folder on whichever computers you have set up. There's no dealing with storage limits because you're not storing anything in the cloud. You're accessing the file stored on your machine. And

jupiterthunder

Some more dropbox invites available from ithacanz residing at gmail (thanks to all the previous posters passing them on).

ShaneNZ

Another person with some dropbox invites available (thank you mr Venkman :)

ithacanz residing at gmail

ShaneNZ

I haven't tried the others, but I really like Syncplicity. So far no complaints. I've been using it for a couple months now and it's easy to use. I've lost so much data over the years from failed harddrives and forgetting to backup that it is a great to have a tool that does it in the background for me.

sidewithus

I used to use synctoy 2.0 but it's slower than synctoy 1.0, and some of the promised improvements (like checking to see if a drive letter is reassigned) never seemed to work properly. Also seemed to lock up my usb drive so I couldn't eject it. I used the free version of allway sync'n'go, which actually sits on my usb drive & lets me sync the data with home & office computers. After a while (and a bit of nagging from the software) I bought it for a very reasonable (i.e. I can't remember how much, so it can't have been much) price. So I go for allway sync'n'go. The only downside is a very ugly/busy interface, but otherwise it's perfect for my needs. -- Dr. William McIlhagga tel. (44) (1274) 235957 Room G23, Richmond Building Optometry Dept. Bradford University Great Horton Road Bradford BD7 1DP UK

VegardFazoole

Just got invited to Dropbox, if anyone needs an invite, just drop me a line at atomfury at gmail dot com

AtomFury

@MrSkinny: I prefer bazaar personally. It was really easy to set up, and I use Launchpad, so...

rsync also FTW.

C'mon Lifehacker. retitle: 'Five best crappy web-based no-linux backup tools'

How about best cross-platform apps?

Daniel

I have run out of invites to give out, but I have found a code that you should be able to use to sign up for Dropbox. Right here:
[www.getdropbox.com]

AtomFury

Ok, apparently the code expired right after I found it for some reason unknown to me. Sorry.

AtomFury

someone please tell me - why "hive"?? going crazy trying to find the context...play on words "high-five"?...registry "hive"? (huh?).....i don't even know where to post this question...

IshR

Came upon the method of inviting people by inviting them to your shared folder, so I can still invite people if they need one. Just email me at atomfury at gmail dot com and I'll send you one.

AtomFury

syncplicity has the best interface, but since they decided to get rid of an unlimited plan as an option, putplace.com and yuntaa.com are the two front runners for me.

Yunzaa looks like it's based out of germany, and they already have a lot of features most don't have.

They both allow you to sync network folders which is why a lot of others like dropbox aren't an option for many people.

putplace doesn't have a pricing plan yet, but for now it is unlimited like syncplicity was during beta.

-James

mowges

I would greatly appreciate a DropBox invite if there are anymore floating around.

My email address is my username at gmail dot com.

Many thanks in advance.

Dukeswharf

How about Jungle Disk? It uses Amazon's S3 service, and creates folders on your machine, and works on Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux.
It can even run from a USB drive.

Yeah, you gotta pay $20 for the software, along with any Amazon S3 fees, but I pay pennies a month for Gigabytes, and all of my data is encrypted nice and strong.

I'm surprised there's no mention of Jungle Disk here.

Bassam

I've found syncplicity to be the easiest to use. I'm only using the free plan and the 2GB it offers is great is more than enough for me.

w3stfa11

I've been using SyncBack for years, very reliable, easy to use after you figure it out the first time. The review above did not, I believe, mention one of its best features - backup or sync to FTP sites. I do daily backup from my work PC to an FTP server at home so anything I need is always available when I'm working out of the house. Plus, I get a backup. When I was looking for a solution SyncBack was one of the few that would backup outside the LAN to which it was connected. Jay -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com

LizaCairns

@Chris:
Chris is spot on.

BuckDuck