14 replies to this topic

[juzzle]

Hi All,

I've noticed a few mentions of software solutions people are using to synchronize files between drives and servers. What's inspired me to post this mini review is recommendation (some on the podcast) for "Allway Sync" with which I and others had a horrible experience.

Anyway, I've tried them all. Whilst they're not directly comparable applications, we all use one of them to affect file synchronization (or moving). Here are some quick thoughts on each:

• Allway Sync - 3/10 - horrible interface, too hard to understand (may have improved), too easy to make a mistake. I paid for the full version, a couple of weeks after which it bit me very hard - a friend also suffered the same fate. A possibly related post is "AlwaysSync users BEWARE"
• Teracopy - 6/10 - pretty, but in practise is a just a slightly better than the Windows Explorer dialogues
• SyncToy - 7/10 - a good simple interface with stored folder pairs, performance isn't great, but it's free. I still use it's silent mode syncing (which is very good).
• Beyond Compare - 10/10 - this software is much more than just a synchronisation package, however, it does that and many other things extremely well. I am very impressed with the software, the company and the support. The interface takes a little bit to get used to (because it is very capable, thus you can expect that), however, it is brilliant. Just one tip for users with server share for any session (enable "Follow Symbolic Links"). I have been using this for a year or so now and have no hesitation in recommending it. They also offer a generous evalution period (30 days of use - not 30 days after installation - so you can give it a proper try out). You can find it at Scooter Software

NB: I have no affiilliation whatsoever with any of these companies.

You might like to add your favourite syncing software to this list.

Enjoy!

Edited by juzzle, 15 August 2012 - 11:28 PM.

[jmwills]

Agree with the discussion, just not the order. I am a visual learner so the easier an interface is to understand makes it easier for me to use. However, AllwaySync was just easy for me to use.

[ikon]

I'm still using RoboCopy for most of my syncing operations. It just works.

[jmwills]

One option not mentioned was RichCopy

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

Agree with the discussion, just not the order. I am a visual learner so the easier an interface is to understand makes it easier for me to use. However, AllwaySync was just easy for me to use.

Readying the post my first thought is this gentleman must work for Beyond Compare. Then when I read his disclaimer I was positive of it. I have never heard of anyone calling alwaysync difficult.

[ikon]

I own and use Beyond Compare, and it is useful, no doubt about it, but I certainly wouldn't give it 10/10. I find its interface fairly arcane in itself, so I doubt it's that much easier than AllWaySync.

[Joe_Miner]

Agree with the discussion, just not the order. I am a visual learner so the easier an interface is to understand makes it easier for me to use. However, AllwaySync was just easy for me to use.

Agreed.

I'd give AllwaySync a 10/10

I'd also give TerraCopy a 10/10

No problems with either and both are easy to use. I have 2 pro copies of AllwaySync because I use them so much.

[pcdoc]

I am always open to new and better software, however I would not call this in the same sequence either. Software tends to be a personal thing however the quoted reference is flawed. If this works for you then use it. As long as it is doing what it needs to and the bottom line is that you have a backup. But I certainly would not attempt to impose this type of rating.

[Masquerade]

Hi - at the risk of being off-topic - can I please ask for advice and guidance for an enterprise synchronisation tool? I'm working for a company that has been using Mobiliti from Paketeer but this is end of life and I'm looking for a replacement. While Mobiliti had a range of features, I'm really looking for just synchronising the users settings and files for the Laptops which are used on-site and off-site (r.g. via RAS). We use Outlook clients against central Exchange servers and they are already synchronised. While we currently use XP against 2008R3 servers, this new application will be probably rolled out alongside W7. I don't know where to start. I've heard that sureSynch could be the answer, but am concerned that this knowledge could be a few years out of date. Any pointers?

[ikon]

Isn't that what Roaming Profiles are for?

[Masquerade]

Isn't that what Roaming Profiles are for?

I obviously need to do some reading (roaming profiles 101). The organisation uses roaming profiles for desktops, but not laptops. I need to ask the IT people why they decided to use mobiliti rather than roaming profiles. Ummm.

[jmwills]

From an Admin point of view, just my opinion, the smartest thing they could do would be to redirect all "My Documents" to a Centralized Home location on a file server. They could then easily change all the profile to remap to that location in Active Directory.

[Masquerade]

I obviously need to do some reading (roaming profiles 101). The organisation uses roaming profiles for desktops, but not laptops. I need to ask the IT people why they decided to use mobiliti rather than roaming profiles. Ummm.

I know that, when I log into the organisation's laptop when it is't connected to the network, it behaves just as if it is. For example, it is my username and AD password that logs me in - I see no difference between the login sequence of being on the network or off-line. The PCs (laptop and desktop) use Sophos Safeguard LANcrypt and the off-line/on-line environment looks identical. The only difference would seem to be that the network drives aren't actually there (though they appear on the list of drives). Interesting times. I need to find that profiles article(s).

[jmwills]

You are able to log in because the last two logins are cached.

[ikon]

What he ^^ said Yay for cached credentials.