New plugin: Synchronise Directories

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Jan Rysavy
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New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by Jan Rysavy »

Yes, it is coming ;-)

We would like to keep this plugin as simple as possible. One window with two trees displaying differences. Option to open File Comparator for selected two files.

We are looking for your ideas + tips for nice software you are using and would like to show us...
ejor
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Joined: 15 Jan 2011, 12:38

Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by ejor »

Do the same as Synctoy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SyncToy
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/d ... d0592d8c52

It is practically perfect ... except the pair creation
I don't want to remember any pairs
I want to synchronize both panels like a smart F5

SyncToy defines three different types of operations to synchronize two folders: Synchronize, Echo and Contribute.
  • - Synchronize takes the two folders and makes sure they have exactly the same files. To do this, SyncToy may copy files in either direction and may delete or rename files in either folder.
    - Echo looks for changes (new files, renames, deletes) in the left folder and makes them in the right folder (one-way sync).
    - Contribute is like an Echo, but it does not delete any files on the right folder that may have been deleted in the left folder.
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SvA
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by SvA »

ejor wrote:Do the same as Synctoy
[...]
It is practically perfect ... except the pair creation
I have still not found a good syncing solution. When I searched for one, some while back, I also investigated Synctoy, but it did not last long on my computer. Not only did I not like the UI and the fact that it is not portable, but it also did not offer me any of the control I need to truly sync folders and trees of folders.

A syncing solution I would trust MUST give me a list of what it intends to do and MUST allow me to modify this and define persistent exception. It also SHOULD allow me to investigate the files by visually inspecting/comparing/merging them from that list with internal or external tools.

It also must allow me to do a multy way sync (more than two locations connected through a network or by means of some other media like a thumb drive).

The solution I use at the moment, though far from perfect, is called Unison. Beside providing ample control, this one offers client/server based operation utilising some kind of rsync protocol. furthermore it can be used UI based or command line based. It is Open Source (GNU Public License), programmed in oCaml.

I always thought the Microfot Windows Briefcase was a good solution for many purposes, but unfortunately I could never figure out how to use it without getting broken relationships all the time, so, in the end it is unusable.
therube
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by therube »

I've found I like this:

FreeFileSync
http://sourceforge.net/projects/freefilesync/
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Bac ... Sync.shtml

Screenshots:
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6361 ... 562vz9.jpg
http://cdn.freewaregenius.com/wp-conten ... nshot2.jpg
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/bto/201003 ... 10x400.jpg
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&suge ... 80&bih=581

Typically I backup from a source to some destination, rather then syncing between two directories.

I definitely like the preview prior to any action occurring.
Clearly, visually, shows what is where, what will be copied to where, what is new, what is changed.
You know exactly what is going to happen.

It lacks the ability to make incremental/differential, dated, zip'd (ARJ'd in my case) archives.
Would be nice in some circumstances.



Unison screenshots: http://www.softpedia.com/progScreenshot ... 01465.html



For me, some data sets are ...

Archival.
Don't change or relatively few, minor, changes where a simple copy from here, to there, is sufficient.

Daily.
A small set of files that change daily, where it would be nice to be able to go back to some "point in time".


TreeComp was mentioned in the CZ thread. And that isn't bad. It can do multiple source to one destination, which can be nice. Though it is often too slow with larger directory structures.
WinXP Pro SP3 or Win7 x86 | SS 2.54
Jan Rysavy
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by Jan Rysavy »

Thank you for tips!

What about directories synchronization in WinMerge or Araxis Merge? Any happy user here?
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SelfMan
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by SelfMan »

One thing I would like to have is a sync history log. Meaning what file was copied/moved, when, how big it was etc.
A detailed log of all operation made.
ejor
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by ejor »

Jan Rysavy wrote:What about directories synchronization in WinMerge or Araxis Merge? Any happy user here?
They are perfect tools
BUT they are working at files level
A good folder synchronization need to work at folders Level
When I synchronize a folder with hundred of folder and thousands of files I don't care about the file level
I want to see the synchronization at a higher level
Jan Rysavy
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by Jan Rysavy »

Both WinMerge and Araxis Merge supports directories synchronization:
http://manual.winmerge.org/Quick_start.html#d0e613
http://www.araxis.com/merge/topic_compa ... lders.html
Tomas Kopal
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by Tomas Kopal »

Long time ago, I tried directory mode in WinMerge. If you don't have anything else available, you don't have many files to compare, and you are really desperate, then it might be usable. It's really file comparison tool, not directory synchronization tool...
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KNUT
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by KNUT »

TreeComp is very nice and do a good job
Image
Kind regards, KNUT
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empuraeu
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by empuraeu »

This feature is best implemented IMHO in Total Commander under "Commands -> Synchronize Dirs"

Any idea wheh this will be available - seems like this was planned featuer from 2006 ....
qlg
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by qlg »

I agree, up to now the synchronizing directories is best implemented in Total Commander. It would be nice if a similar function would be implemented - at least as an additional plugin. In my opinion, the function should offer the following functionalities:

* directories can be compared (including sub-directories) either by date or by content
* after comparison, for each file the direction of copy is shown
* each file can be unselected
* additionally files can be filtered for their destination or equality

Basically this describes how it works in Total Commander.
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mdruiter
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Re: New plugin: Synchronise Directories

Post by mdruiter »

qlg wrote:In my opinion, the function should offer the following functionalities:
All of what you describe already works using Compare Directories, except that the subfolder difference details are not displayed (the very reason for this request). And content comparison is only binary, so the direction of copy isn't known/shown.
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