How to stay in sync?

[joelmyer]

There are 4 computers in my life.

I have a 5 GB pocket drive - the theory is/was that I would use that.  But sometimes I forget.

So how do I (easily) get the pocket drive updated with the changes from computer 1 without overwritting changes from computer 2 and then get computers 3 & four back up to date?

The last step can be done brute force, but is there an (easy) way to just copy over the changed files?

Joel

 

[Ned]

Depends on what type of files you want to synchronize.  What are the applications that you want to sync?  If it's just files in My Documents, for example, there are a number of synchronizing programs available that will work across a network.

 

[joelmyer]

If it's just files in My Documents, for example, there are a number of synchronizing programs available that will work across a network.

Sorry - yes - just my documents - and just need to sync the pocket drive & to the pocket drive. ---- but I could put the "master" up on line.

 

[Ned]

If you only modify the files on one computer at a time, you can just copy the entire directory (or directories) back and forth.  If you are modifying different files on the 2 computers, then you need a syncing program.  I use SyncBackSE from www.2brightsparks.com for my automated backups.  I also use Beyond Compare from www.scootersoftware.com for manual syncing of folders on 2 computers.  Just don't modify the SAME files on both computers between syncing operations.

 

[John From Detroit]

Microsoft has a Power Toy for Windows users (At least XP users) called "SyncToy" 

Been a while since I used it, but I have used it, and If memory serves it allows me to sync two directories on the same drive, on different drives on the same computer or on different computers over a network (provided I have access),

I'm not sure how it does it if you modify each of two files though  (IE: I have a bookmarks.html flie on the laptop.  I have another (main) computer that also has a bookmarks.html file  I don't knwo what happens if iI add different bookmerks to both files) but I do know it will copy the lastest modified to the target for me when syncing