Offline Files in OS X?

[Sesshi]

I'd like to know if anyone has any good suggestions for getting the closest - or maybe even better - experience to Offline Files in Vista.

That is, automatic shadowing/ghosting of network-stored resources so that when you're away from the network, you can still access the files from the same location, edit them, then the files get synced automatically when the PC detects that a network connection to the resource has been re-established.

Like the Vista implementation, it needs to be transparent to the user and virtually bulletproof in operation.

I'd like it to work with both Windows Server 2003 and OS X Server, but Windows Server support is more important.

 

[ingenious]

I'd like to know if anyone has any good suggestions for getting the closest - or maybe even better - experience to Offline Files in Vista.

That is, automatic shadowing/ghosting of network-stored resources so that when you're away from the network, you can still access the files from the same location, edit them, then the files get synced automatically when the PC detects that a network connection to the resource has been re-established.

Like the Vista implementation, it needs to be transparent to the user and virtually bulletproof in operation.

I'd like it to work with both Windows Server 2003 and OS X Server, but Windows Server support is more important.

I would also be interested in hearing about such an option.

I'm on yearbook staff at my school, and for some reason, we design the yearbook on PCs, even though we're a Mac school. Anyway, I don't get why we do that, so I do it all on my PowerBook. It's YearTech from Josten's anyway and all online.

My point being that all of our pictures are stored in a shared folder on a Windows Server. My staff position is to upload and organize all photos by event and by groups. It would make my job easier if I could make use of some sort of offline folder.

 

[Sesshi]

Any replies to this much appreciated. The lack of this is now becoming a major, major pain in the backside.

 

[Xao]

I've been looking around myself, so far the closest thing I have found is this: http://www.econtechnologies.com/site/Pages/ChronoSync/chrono_features.html

I think I might give it a try and see how it handles conflicts, ie: both versions edited when disconnected.

 

[Consultant]

There are a number of backup utilities on the Mac that has been doing the same thing for years.

Go to macupdate or versiontracker and search for backup

 

[Sesshi]

There are a number of backup utilities on the Mac that has been doing the same thing for years.

I don't think you understand how Offline Folders work.

Xao, I have tried Chronosync and was never able to get it to work in a similarly usable way. If you've had better luck I'd like to know how you set it up. Thanks

 

[ScoobyMcDoo]

So, I curious, how do Vista offline folders deal with the reality that maybe five people do some offline edits, then they all connect back to the network the next day? Does it do automatic merging? If so, how does it deal with conflicts?

As a developer, I use tools such as CVS and Subversion which gives you this sort of functionality and much more. Perhaps such a tool would be useful to what you are trying to accomplish.

 

[Sesshi]

I dunno to be honest. But WS2003 has Shadow Copy, the sync works in conjunction with SC so there will be a 'paper trail' of changes to the file.

I could ask one of the gurus if you're very curious - But it's a non-issue for me. There are no other users on the cluster apart from me and the assistants. My WS2003 / Exchange cluster is mine! All mine! *mad laugh*

 

[edesignuk]

So, I curious, how do Vista offline folders deal with the reality that maybe five people do some offline edits, then they all connect back to the network the next day? Does it do automatic merging? If so, how does it deal with conflicts

As each of these 5 people hook back up to the network and find that the offline and network versions of the file don't match you get some options, to replace the network file with your offline one, to effectively scrap your offline one and update your local copy with the network one again, or to copy your offline one to the network and keep both files for review - in which case your username is appended to the file name, like "Meeting Notes_(edesignuk).doc", leaving "Meeting Notes.doc" intact for differences to be reviewed manually.

It's not the best, but it does work and certainly seems to be a feature that OS X is missing entirely.

 

[donmei]

I've used offline folders to my own PERSONAL share for years.

Used as such, it works flawlessly. i.e. My network drive is my "m:" drive.
When I leave my work my M drive still appears to be connected. It is infact a shadow of the work M drive. I edit my docs while at home or disconnected.

Once I am connected (whether on the lan or home via vpn) the files synchronize.

Here is my concern. As far as I know, offline folders does not do version control, it does not lock "checked out" files and it does not do edit merging.

It is NOT a document management system. It is meant to be a system for the offline use of PERSONAL files.

Its not a group collaboration system.

Like edesign said, it will flag if the edit date or size of diferent versions conflict and save with a name like filename(2).doc IF the user chooses to "keep both copies"

But this relies on the users being responsible and knowledgible. This is workable with a small staff. It is a nightmare if you have a large staff. I guess the OP has a small, inteligent working with him.
With that said, I'd be really curious to find if there is an OSx equivalent

Don

 

[killmoms]

It's not quite integrated into the system, but maybe something like DropBox would fill this need? It's still in invite-only beta at the moment though, AFAIK (can't get to the site at work, it's blocked by my company's firewall).

 

[ScoobyMcDoo]

I found this which may be useful.

 

[andrejlr]

AFS - Andrew File System

would come close to windows offline files.

The difference is, that is does this stuff automatically.

First time you access a file it's loaded from the server and than it's cahed.
I guess you can specify how many space you want to give it for caching