Macbook Newbie / Sync iMac and Macbook Works

uzapuca · 02-22-2013, 08:49 AM

Hi guys,
I just bought a Macbook and kind of newbie regarding having two computers at the same time for working. I usually work on at iMac at home.

1) How is the best way to synch two Mac's everyday work files? I heard about iCloud and don't know if that only for calendars and notes or also include specific working files.

2) Is there more efficient Apps or Software to do that or should i rely on Apple programs?

3) It could be nice to Sync only the Work Folder not to overload the smaller Macbook Pro HD with tons on info, songs, etc i will not need for work. Can i do that?

Any ideas on that?

Thanks for any thoughts,

Best,
S

DeltaMac · 02-22-2013, 09:27 AM

There's plenty of information about iCloud at the Apple web site, which should help answer your questions. http://www.apple.com/icloud/features/
(much more than just "calendars and notes", eh?

)

DropBox is another choice that many folks suggest, and makes sharing any files simple.
https://www.dropbox.com

benwiggy · 02-22-2013, 10:05 AM

I use iCloud for syncing Contacts, Notes, Reminders, Calendars, etc. But for actual documents, I'm not sure it's that good.
As I understand it, you can choose to save some files to iCloud, if they are on iCloud-compatible apps, but they just go in a big bucket, with no folder management.

DropBox is better, as you can put any documents you like there, and maintain folder structures, but even so, they still have to be in the DropBox folder, and you are limited by the size of your allowance.

I use Chronosync to synchronise the entire Documents folder between my MacMini and my MacBook. It's the King of sync apps, and can be scheduled. It asks you what to do with files that have been modified on both, and does non destructive deleting (moving files to an Archive folder).

uzapuca · 02-22-2013, 10:17 AM

Yes dropbox is quite handy and ubiquitous, but unfortunately the file transfer speed is a bit slow.

Regarding iCould i read an article that maybe is not that secure in the long run
http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-573...w-to-avoid-it/

uzapuca · 02-22-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benwiggy


	DropBox is better, as you can put any documents you like there, and maintain folder structures, but even so, they still have to be in the DropBox folder, and you are limited by the size of your allowance. I use Chronosync to synchronise the entire Documents folder between my MacMini and my MacBook. It's the King of sync apps, and can be scheduled. It asks you what to do with files that have been modified on both, and does non destructive deleting (moving files to an Archive folder).

What do you think is better Dropbox or Google Drive? Google usually evolves quicker than most. Nevertheless, i am not sure about privacy with Google.

You are probably right on iCloud, maybe just for contacts. Besides i don't think it will be multiplatform as Dropbox or GDrive.

Thanks for the info con Chronosync

i will check it now.

benwiggy · 02-22-2013, 11:23 AM

I haven't used Google Drive, though I would be concerned about privacy with them, even if it's just harvesting and aggregating my data.
The thing I like about Dropbox is that you can still get to your files if you have no internet connection, which I'm not sure is so easy with iCloud or the others.

DropBox does try to be good at security, but I prefer a non-cloud workflow for my most sensitive personal and business data.

EDIT: Two other problems with iCloud:
1. You can currently save TextEdit and Preview docs to iCloud, but you can't view them on iOS or on the web interface: only the three iWork apps.
2. I haven't used my iCloud email address at all, but I've had quite a lot of spam in the InBox.

sojourner · 02-24-2013, 06:49 PM

Dropbox has been hacked a number of times.

sliberty · 02-28-2013, 09:18 PM

I love DropBox, but due to space limitations (I am too cheap to pay them for more space), I decided to setup my own private cloud. I am using a very cool product called Tonido. In addition to all the great stuff a private cloud is allowing me to do, they have a sync tool which allows me to identify a folder on my work laptop and a folder on my home desktop (both are Macs, but they also support PCs and Linux), and they are kept in sync automatically. Now, if I update a work document on my home desktop, I simply save it in the specified folder, and it shows up on the notebook moments later. It is very cool (and so is the whole private cloud thing that caused me to adopt Tonido in the first place).

Oh, and I can access these files on my iPad/iPhone as well as Tonido has an "app for that".

uzapuca · 03-01-2013, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sliberty


	I love DropBox, but due to space limitations (I am too cheap to pay them for more space), I decided to setup my own private cloud. I am using a very cool product called Tonido.

How do you set up Tonido? You say you are too cheap to pay for more space in Dropbox, but do you have to pay for a "hosting space" in the cloud either way?

How about security issues?

Please let us more, it does sound interesting.

DeltaMac · 03-01-2013, 06:54 AM

Why not just go to the Tonido web site?
http://www.tonido.com/
There's information there, telling you that Tonido gives you access to your own files, on your own computer, from anywhere, without needing to upload your files to some server

benwiggy · 03-01-2013, 08:16 AM

Sorry to be vague, but I seem to remember some USB key product that provided a secure connection to your server or cloud using any computer that you plugged in one half of a special USB thingy.

Have I explained/remembered it well...?

sliberty · 03-01-2013, 02:28 PM

My private cloud, built with Tonido, resides at my home on drives that I already own. So there is no cost to this solution.

I implemented the Tonido system by installing their application on my Linux server (a laptop actually) and this set exposes drives that the Linux box can see (local, internal, network, etc) so that I can access them from anywhere.

uzapuca · 03-02-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sliberty


	My private cloud, built with Tonido, resides at my home on drives that I already own. So there is no cost to this solution. I implemented the Tonido system by installing their application on my Linux server (a laptop actually) and this set exposes drives that the Linux box can see (local, internal, network, etc) so that I can access them from anywhere.

Thanks for that good info sliberty!
I might try to do any install like that in the future. Do you know if a private Linux network can be safer than a system like Dropbox? Today they have hacked Evernote which is supossed to be very safe stolen password everywhere and security compromised

Cheers,

sliberty · 03-03-2013, 10:09 PM

I imagine that security is generally stronger when using a service. You are unlikely to monitor proactively for hackers, which they most likely do. But on the other hand, I doubt that a hacker would try to break into your (or my) home network - too random.

02-22-2013, 08:49 AM	#1
uzapuca All Star Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 519	Macbook Newbie / Sync iMac and Macbook Works Hi guys, I just bought a Macbook and kind of newbie regarding having two computers at the same time for working. I usually work on at iMac at home. 1) How is the best way to synch two Mac's everyday work files? I heard about iCloud and don't know if that only for calendars and notes or also include specific working files. 2) Is there more efficient Apps or Software to do that or should i rely on Apple programs? 3) It could be nice to Sync only the Work Folder not to overload the smaller Macbook Pro HD with tons on info, songs, etc i will not need for work. Can i do that? Any ideas on that? Thanks for any thoughts, Best, S __________________ iMac Intel Core i5, 2,5 GHz, 21", 12 Gb RAM, 500 Gb internal HD, Mac OS X Lion 10.7.3.

02-22-2013, 10:17 AM	#4
uzapuca All Star Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 519	Yes dropbox is quite handy and ubiquitous, but unfortunately the file transfer speed is a bit slow. Regarding iCould i read an article that maybe is not that secure in the long run http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-573...w-to-avoid-it/ __________________ iMac Intel Core i5, 2,5 GHz, 21", 12 Gb RAM, 500 Gb internal HD, Mac OS X Lion 10.7.3.

02-22-2013, 11:23 AM	#6
benwiggy League Commissioner Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,039	I haven't used Google Drive, though I would be concerned about privacy with them, even if it's just harvesting and aggregating my data. The thing I like about Dropbox is that you can still get to your files if you have no internet connection, which I'm not sure is so easy with iCloud or the others. DropBox does try to be good at security, but I prefer a non-cloud workflow for my most sensitive personal and business data. EDIT: Two other problems with iCloud: 1. You can currently save TextEdit and Preview docs to iCloud, but you can't view them on iOS or on the web interface: only the three iWork apps. 2. I haven't used my iCloud email address at all, but I've had quite a lot of spam in the InBox. Last edited by benwiggy; 02-22-2013 at 11:55 AM.

02-24-2013, 06:49 PM	#7
sojourner Major Leaguer Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 324	Dropbox has been hacked a number of times. __________________ see a problem; solve a problem.

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02-22-2013, 09:27 AM	#2
DeltaMac League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,941	There's plenty of information about iCloud at the Apple web site, which should help answer your questions. http://www.apple.com/icloud/features/ (much more than just "calendars and notes", eh? ) DropBox is another choice that many folks suggest, and makes sharing any files simple. https://www.dropbox.com

02-22-2013, 10:05 AM	#3
benwiggy League Commissioner Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,039	I use iCloud for syncing Contacts, Notes, Reminders, Calendars, etc. But for actual documents, I'm not sure it's that good. As I understand it, you can choose to save some files to iCloud, if they are on iCloud-compatible apps, but they just go in a big bucket, with no folder management. DropBox is better, as you can put any documents you like there, and maintain folder structures, but even so, they still have to be in the DropBox folder, and you are limited by the size of your allowance. I use Chronosync to synchronise the entire Documents folder between my MacMini and my MacBook. It's the King of sync apps, and can be scheduled. It asks you what to do with files that have been modified on both, and does non destructive deleting (moving files to an Archive folder).

02-28-2013, 09:18 PM	#8
sliberty Prospect Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: East Brunswick, NJ Posts: 49	I love DropBox, but due to space limitations (I am too cheap to pay them for more space), I decided to setup my own private cloud. I am using a very cool product called Tonido. In addition to all the great stuff a private cloud is allowing me to do, they have a sync tool which allows me to identify a folder on my work laptop and a folder on my home desktop (both are Macs, but they also support PCs and Linux), and they are kept in sync automatically. Now, if I update a work document on my home desktop, I simply save it in the specified folder, and it shows up on the notebook moments later. It is very cool (and so is the whole private cloud thing that caused me to adopt Tonido in the first place). Oh, and I can access these files on my iPad/iPhone as well as Tonido has an "app for that".

03-01-2013, 06:54 AM	#10
DeltaMac League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,941	Why not just go to the Tonido web site? http://www.tonido.com/ There's information there, telling you that Tonido gives you access to your own files, on your own computer, from anywhere, without needing to upload your files to some server

03-01-2013, 08:16 AM	#11
benwiggy League Commissioner Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,039	Sorry to be vague, but I seem to remember some USB key product that provided a secure connection to your server or cloud using any computer that you plugged in one half of a special USB thingy. Have I explained/remembered it well...?

03-01-2013, 02:28 PM	#12
sliberty Prospect Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: East Brunswick, NJ Posts: 49	My private cloud, built with Tonido, resides at my home on drives that I already own. So there is no cost to this solution. I implemented the Tonido system by installing their application on my Linux server (a laptop actually) and this set exposes drives that the Linux box can see (local, internal, network, etc) so that I can access them from anywhere.

03-03-2013, 10:09 PM	#14
sliberty Prospect Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: East Brunswick, NJ Posts: 49	I imagine that security is generally stronger when using a service. You are unlikely to monitor proactively for hackers, which they most likely do. But on the other hand, I doubt that a hacker would try to break into your (or my) home network - too random.