File Synchronisation

So you want to know how to keep your files in sync when working on a netbook? This page offers a few suggestions. Imagine the scenario, you are using your new Samsung Netbook on the way to work, updated a few files, written a Word Document, or any other day to day tasks, and now you want to carry on working on your bigger PC but want to ensure you are working on the latest version of the file.

These synchronisation programs can manage this scenario for you seamlessly, some may require a manual synchronise process (eg SyncToy), others such as Live Mesh will keep thing in sync behind the scenes without you needing to think about what is going on. The former situation allows a little more control over when and how you update your files whilst the latter requires less input but may overwrite data when you rather it hadn't!

Synchronization Software

• SyncToy: This is one of Microsoft's Powertoys, a collection of useful applications that solve common tasks. Arguably things that should have been part of Windows from the start. But given the downloads are free I can't complain too much. SyncToy allows you to build synchronization profiles that will operate across a particular pair of folders at two locations.
• Mesh: Part of Microsoft's Live suite. If you aren't familiar with the "cloud" concept yet then you soon will be. This is where we are heading. Mesh stores your files out in the cloud, ensuring that they are available and up to date no matter what computer you are working on. Live Mesh will copy the files down locally, and will automatically push any changes back up to the cloud. What is more interesting is that you can then share these folders between friends or colleagues. Great for collaborative processes. All changes are logged and available instantly on any computer no matter where you are working.
• Syncplicity
• DropBox
• SugarSync

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