Program to auto sync folder with mobile me

[dieseltwitch]

does any one know a program that will let me do an auto sync with mobileMe?

[Slip Jigs]

If you are talking about syncing mail, contacts and calendar to your computer all you have to do is set it to auto sync and specify the interval. ?

[dieseltwitch]

No i have a work folder that i would like to keep synced between my laptop and my imac. i do a lot of work on the road and want it to all match. short of a VPN i cant find a way..... i would like a VPN but i cant justify OS X Server to do it. at least not yet

[Macsterguy]

Can you not just use iDisk?

[chatoyer]

If you mean syncing a local folder with the online storage that comes with MM, then maybe try ChronoSync. Not sure if it works with iDisk, though.

[fedjagr]

Transmit.app
You can compare a folder on your mac with a folder on iDisk. It's not automatic (like, every day at 4 pm), but the program compares the folders and only uploads new/changed files, or will delete files from iDisk if they're not in the folder any more.
Works great! See here for free trial:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/internet_utilities/transmit.html

[BroadcastDoc]

If you're using a Mac, use your iDisk...

Simply turn iDisk syncing on, place the folder out on your iDisk, then create an alias to the folder on each computer (that alias is optional - I do this with my folders in my "Documents" folder). It works just like it was local, but syncs up to the MobileMe server. The other computer pulls down the changes automatically, and syncs it to its local iDisk.

Everything is the same everywhere! :)

[dieseltwitch]

If you're using a Mac, use your iDisk...

Simply turn iDisk syncing on, place the folder out on your iDisk, then create an alias to the folder on each computer (that alias is optional - I do this with my folders in my "Documents" folder). It works just like it was local, but syncs up to the MobileMe server. The other computer pulls down the changes automatically, and syncs it to its local iDisk.

Everything is the same everywhere! :)

I thought about that but heres the problem, what if i need a file and i'm not able to connect to the iDisk.

I'm trying out the Transmit program. I think that will work in conjunction with the idisk idea

[dieseltwitch]

I thought about that but heres the problem, what if i need a file and i'm not able to connect to the iDisk.

I'm trying out the Transmit program. I think that will work in conjunction with the idisk idea

Haha i just figured out how to buypas the problem i just talked about.....

[BroadcastDoc]

I thought about that but heres the problem, what if i need a file and i'm not able to connect to the iDisk.

I'm trying out the Transmit program. I think that will work in conjunction with the idisk idea

You do know that if you turn iDisk syncing on, that it creates a local copy on your computer so you don't need to be online, right? Just work with your files, and the next time you're online, the changes will sync automatically.

Much easier than using transmit.

[marsbaby]

If you're using a Mac, use your iDisk...

Simply turn iDisk syncing on, place the folder out on your iDisk, then create an alias to the folder on each computer (that alias is optional - I do this with my folders in my "Documents" folder). It works just like it was local, but syncs up to the MobileMe server. The other computer pulls down the changes automatically, and syncs it to its local iDisk.

Everything is the same everywhere! :)

What about if you have a macbook and a imac (or 2 like me) you want to keep synced automatically? My experience is that I get prompted al the time with questions on what file to keep the one on a computer or at mobile me... tedious and error prone (loosing work done...):(

For me Idisk proofs therefore no solution. I have done all in my knowledge to set simple sharing folder were I can centrally put files that can be used from various machines. I dreaded the day that i was to admit I long for the/a windows solution: just map a folder g, partition or disk on other pc in the home network, give it a disk letter that is free and presto the folder acts as a true disk on your own computer.... (no need for synching for no multiple users are using same files)

(NB the problem I do not seem to be able to tackle: a folder and all of its contents can be set to accept read and write settings for a given user. A new file generated though will only get the base security settings , these files are then read only and can not be saved without renaming them by the other computer(s).

Before people start flaming: I have contacted apple helpdesk several times on this and they see no solution within apple for this very simple home network demand.

Anybody knows how to easily share docs and use them in a home network environment?

JW

[BroadcastDoc]

I sync three macs, and very rarely do I get prompted about a change. There might be something unique to your setup.

I've been doing this for a while, and haven't lost anything, or had permission problems...it has "just worked".

[JackieTreehorn]

I actually spent a lot of time looking for this possibility within MM / iDisk, but gave up when I found DropBox (https://www.getdropbox.com/home)

A free account will only give you a 2GB storage, but it's more than enough to keep my Work folder synched across three Mac computers.

Dropbox proves it's easy to accomplish, so I wonder why Apple hasn't been able to implement this in iDisk.

[BroadcastDoc]

Not sure I follow. Apple does do this in iDisk already.

[JackieTreehorn]

Not sure I follow. Apple does do this in iDisk already.
It does not appear to do that on my Macs. At least, not when I'm working locally in My Documents folder (which I synced with iDisk). I have to work on the iDisk server to have it sync automatically and I haven't been able to find out how to automatically sync my local Documents folder with iDisk. Dropbox does this easily.

[BroadcastDoc]

All you need to do is create folders for your documents out on your iDisk, and then create aliases to those items in your documents folder.

Instant automatic sync of all of your documents.

[JackieTreehorn]

All you need to do is create folders for your documents out on your iDisk, and then create aliases to those items in your documents folder.

Instant automatic sync of all of your documents.I'll give that a try: never thought of that solution.

But does creating the alias mean I can also work offline with my files and iDisk will automatically upload the newest versions to all of my Macs?

[BroadcastDoc]

Yep. Just be sure to turn iDisk syncing on. What that does is create a copy of your iDisk on your Mac, which allows you to use it offline. Any changes you make will then be automatically synced the next time you're online.

To make it easy to navigate, I just created a folder called "Documents" on my iDisk, and then created the folder structure inside of that. Those folders are the ones that get aliased to /user/Documents.

Just remember that for the stuff to sync, it needs to be placed in a folder that's aliased out to the iDisk. Anything that's just dropped into /user/Documents won't sync up.

It sounds much more difficult than it really is. I've used it this way for years, and it works great!

[NateP]

Just trying to figure this out. I store the actual documents (such as my Documents folder that now resides on my hard drive) on iDisk, and then I create aliases to those on my MacBook harddrive? So everything lives up in the cloud, and I just access local copies?

Can i do this with my entire documents folder?

[BroadcastDoc]

I haven't tried it with the entire folder, so I don't know if that would work...I'm thinking that it won't.

Otherwise yes, what you want to do is create folders for your documents on your iDisk, and create aliases to those folders in your documents folder. Then, any document you place in the aliased folder gets put on your iDisk and synced to the cloud.

[TwinCities Dan]

This all sounds really cool but I'm a little leary about putting my original files on the iDisk and relying on alais'.

Is there a danger of losing the originals (maybe MM goes down or subscription runs out) leaving the alais' worthless? :confused:

[BroadcastDoc]

In theory, as long as you have your local iDisk, you're good if your sub expires (it "unmounts" from MM and becomes a disk image). If your files were to disappear off of the MM server, there would be an issue.

I haven't had any issues in the few years that I've done it, but the standard disclaimers apply...always backup your files!

I use Time Machine, so if something were to happen, I could pull my files off of an old version of my local iDisk.

[TwinCities Dan]

In theory, as long as you have your local iDisk, you're good if your sub expires (it "unmounts" from MM and becomes a disk image). If your files were to disappear off of the MM server, there would be an issue.

I haven't had any issues in the few years that I've done it, but the standard disclaimers apply...always backup your files!

I use Time Machine, so if something were to happen, I could pull my files off of an old version of my local iDisk.

Good point. I am lazy in that department, I usually burn some discs of important files every few months but I should look into a TC or something. :o

[JackieTreehorn]

So I tried this alias-thing for a bit, but iDisk is ridiculously slow: even replacing a folder within the folder-structure initiates a whole new sync process that last hours.

I'm back to DropBox (https://www.getdropbox.com/home) again and I'm seriously considering upgrading to a billed account. Imo, there's no competition between iDisk and Dropbox: Dropbox wins by a long shot.

[BroadcastDoc]

As long as it works for you, that's what matters.

While the initial setup takes some time with MobileMe (I just let mine do it's thing overnight - you can start and stop the sync process) after it's done it syncs very fast, and does it in the background with no user input. You forget it's there working after a while!

[66217]

I'm interested in trying this for all my school documents. Just one doubt: does Time Machines backs-up the iDisk Drive in my desktop?

What I am doing is moving all my school files to my iDisk, and then create an alias of that folder in my MacBook.

Also, if I make a change while offline to one document (in my MacBook), would this document be updated in the cloud when the iDisk syncs?


Thanks,

[JackieTreehorn]

As long as it works for you, that's what matters.

While the initial setup takes some time with MobileMe (I just let mine do it's thing overnight - you can start and stop the sync process) after it's done it syncs very fast, and does it in the background with no user input. You forget it's there working after a while!
So I took this 'after a while' into consideration when I tried iDisk for a third time with my folder structure the way I liked it.

After two weeks of using it, I have to admit iDisk does the trick pretty well. Combining iDisk and Smart Folders in Leopard is a very easy way to keep my documents synched and my workflow similar across several Macs. And with the OneDisk app on my iPhone, I can even access my work-files on the iPhone.

So, I stand corrected. iDisk had to grow on me, but now it's working just fine.

[lolliffe]

Yep. Just be sure to turn iDisk syncing on. What that does is create a copy of your iDisk on your Mac, which allows you to use it offline. Any changes you make will then be automatically synced the next time you're online...I swear that I remember this setting, but I have a client with a brand new MacBook, and can't seem to find it anywhere. Can someone point me in the right direction on the latest OS?

The way that I remember it, if you clicked this setting, it put a local version of your iDisk on the desktop, and would auto-synch it, when either was changed, and there was a net connection.

Thanks in advance

[frogatmac]

Be carefull: time machine does NOT backup your local idisk! :(

Does anyone know if snow leopard supports this function? :confused::confused:

Thanks in advance

[BroadcastDoc]

I swear that I remember this setting, but I have a client with a brand new MacBook, and can't seem to find it anywhere. Can someone point me in the right direction on the latest OS?

The way that I remember it, if you clicked this setting, it put a local version of your iDisk on the desktop, and would auto-synch it, when either was changed, and there was a net connection.

Thanks in advance

System Prefs -> MobileMe -> iDisk. At the bottom of the Pref Pane, there is a section for iDisk syncing. Turn that on.

[BroadcastDoc]

Be carefull: time machine does NOT backup your local idisk! :(

Does anyone know if snow leopard supports this function? :confused::confused:

Thanks in advance

Shouldn't be too hard to come up with something. The local iDisk is just a disk image. Back that up and you're good to go.

[frogatmac]

System Prefs -> MobileMe -> iDisk. At the bottom of the Pref Pane, there is a section for iDisk syncing. Turn that on.

...and never turn it off. I did so (distracted) thinking that my local idisk was saved on my desktop and lost some documents.

It was hard to find the image in the library and it cost me 2 hours to restore the documents by restoring the whole idisk. Getting back the documents only without restoring the whole idisk was not possible. Surfing through the documents via time machine is also not possible...

[BroadcastDoc]

Something was very wrong then.

When you turn your iDisk off, it will create a normal disk image on your desktop (labeled something like username_idisk_old) that contains the synced iDisk.

Then if you turn syncing back on, it just re-creates the local iDisk with whatever was online.

[Macsterguy]

This all sounds really cool but I'm a little leary about putting my original files on the iDisk and relying on alais'.

Is there a danger of losing the originals (maybe MM goes down or subscription runs out) leaving the alais' worthless? :confused:

Yes, the alias' will be totally worthless...

I don't care what you are doing - locally or on MobileMe - YOU NEED TO BACKUP! Yes, that's right, you even need to backup what is on MobileMe!!!

If you have your local iDisk turned on and you are doing regular backups, then you are backing up your MobileMe data. If you do not have your local iDisk turned on, then you are trusting only Apple with your information... If your data is important to you - trust no one... Also, if you have only one backup, then you are NOT backed up!!

I have lost all contents of my iDisk thru no fault of my own - but I had a backup...

I keep 3-Mac's and 2 iPhones in sync with all the MobileMe tools and it really works well for me.

[frogatmac]

Something was very wrong then.

When you turn your iDisk off, it will create a normal disk image on your desktop (labeled something like username_idisk_old) that contains the synced iDisk.

Then if you turn syncing back on, it just re-creates the local iDisk with whatever was online.

I unfortunately lost the local disc before it was synced (I was on the road) and so the files were not on the mobileme server.
Thats how I finally restored the old idisk: I turned it back on and replaced the "new" disk with the old image.

However, the problem is that time machine is not possible for the local idisk and I hope that snow leopard solves this problem. But there has been no information regarding this yet....

[Macsterguy]

I unfortunately lost the local disc before it was synced (I was on the road) and so the files were not on the mobileme server.
Thats how I finally restored the old idisk: I turned it back on and replaced the "new" disk with the old image.

However, the problem is that time machine is not possible for the local idisk and I hope that snow leopard solves this problem. But there has been no information regarding this yet....

You are correct - TM will not backup your iDisk per say... but it does back up a sparse image file that represents your local iDisk. It is located in your home / Library / FileSync folder. This is your local iDisk...

Personally, I use SuperDuper to backup my iDisk every night!

[eleuthero]

a bit of refresh for this forum thread but Microsoft (yes, yes, I know) has a great and free syncing program that now works for the mac (no issues thus far and allows the local folder to stay in its original location (not a single sparse bundle). Mesh.com runs well in the background and can be updated on the server side, the mac side or any other client you happen to be using (windows, os x, or mobile). It offers 5 gb of free cloud space with unlimited linking between accounts.

[PreetinderBajwa]

Thats a very interesting thread, I have been grappling with the issues myself. So Dropbox would take care of the documents part , but how about mail ? It was all sweet till I got my second Mac !

The challenge is to have access to documents and mail (exact matches) when I am offline.

Right now I have the following (only dealing with mail, I carry a USB for documents) :

- I had mail on my uMBP and rules moved the mail to a folder on 'on my Mac', with rules set up to do it automatically.
- When I logged in from my MBA, all I can see is the inbox, items that were not moved to the 'on my mac' of the UMBP.
- So I dragged and dropped all the 'on my mac' folders to .mac, and now I can see the same mail from iPhone, MBA and UMBP, however only when I am online (ignore iPhone here).
- Then I went to the uMBP and "unchecked" all rules, I was thinking of doing copy message "on my Mac" rather than move message -??
- As the rules are unchecked, the mails are not sorted anymore because the rules were in the mail app and even if UMBP rule applied is "copy" to "on my mac", the same update doesn't happen online i.e. email on the web, and the mail still resides in the inbox online
- When I had the uMBP only, all that was needed was to go through the "inbox" and "on my mac folders" and I had a full view of all my mails, now as the move - on my mac - rule is off, everything is loaded in inbox, even if I do copy - on my mac - the mail would still reside in the inbox every time I log in... its messy to look at inbox with a 1000 emails ! :eek:
- plus when if I am offline I can't see any messages !

I hope you get the direction and problem ! :o

How are you solving this ? :)

cheers

[miamialley]

All you need to do is create folders for your documents out on your iDisk, and then create aliases to those items in your documents folder.

Instant automatic sync of all of your documents.

This is what I do. Works perfectly.