Dropbox (www.getdropbox.com) is a new service that makes it easy to synchronize files across multiple computers. We know that some Sente users have attempted to use Dropbox to synchronize Sente libraries across multiple computers, but we do NOT recommend this.
The problem with Dropbox is that it is primarily designed to synchronize files like word processor documents or spreadsheets, not database files. Using Dropbox to synchronize database files is likely to result in corrupted files.
The problem is certainly not limited to Dropbox. Any system that copies Sente libraries from one computer to another must only be used when Sente is not running on either computer. When Sente is running on the source computer, it is always possible that Sente will modify the file as it is being read by the replication software, resulting in an inconsistent copy. And if you replace a database file on the destination computer while Sente is running, all of the information that Sente has cached in memory will be out of sync with what is in the newly updated file. In either case, the likelihood of damaging the database is very high.
So, please use mechanisms like Dropbox with Sente only with great care.
Obviously, we know that synchronizing your Sente libraries across computers is a very high priority for many users and we are exploring mechanisms to do this. We expect to be able to say more about this in the relatively near future, but until then, please be careful using tools like Dropbox for this purpose.
Michael
Thanks Michael -
This hasn't been an issue for me yet, but have been fretting on how to deal with this as I'm migrating from a laptop-only user to laptop + desktops at home and work, so am *very* glad that syncing is in the works.
-Xid
Thanks Michael
- For me too, the sync of Sente files between computers has a high priority.
- I have been using DP to sync my Sente files (database and pdf attachments) between the two computers I am using for two months now.
- I have not met any problems so far. It just works, very reliably, saving lots of time, no crash, no problem, nothing but a smile.
- In the way I am using Sente and DP to sync my work on two computers, there is never an instance when the files are changed on both computers at the same time.
- A little hint: it is advisable to *wait* for DP to finish the sync process before you start Sente (this should be obvious).
Best wishes
Zeno
I've been using dropbox for a while with no problems, although I suppose I should stop. Couldn't Sente and Zotero get married? I need an offspring with the cloud/ease of Zotero + the Sente interface.
Hm - to be true I only recently switched to endnote - it's integrated export feature, even bundling the attachments, is a feature I'd not like to go without (as is it's word08 integration). I'll be back to Sente the moment it supports proper syncing.
@gsr I would really like to know how you've been using Dropbox with Sente. Right now I'm not getting corrupted files but rather new copies of Sente libraries for each machine:
--general (wills-mac-pro.local's conflicted copy 2009-07-01)(wills-macbook.local's conflicted copy 2009-07-02).sente501
--general (wills-macbook.local's conflicted copy 2009-07-02).sente501
Perhaps, Zeno K.'s comment about waiting for DP to finish syncing might be the solution...
I think there's a big market for simple file synchronisation (Excel, Word etc) and an equally big market for tools to cope with relational database synchronisation/replication. Both markets seem to be pretty well catered for and I don't really understand why there are so few tools out there that do both.
I'm using Sente with Dropbox, but i don't really sync two computers. I only use Dropbox as a backup tool. So the worst case scenario for me should be a corrupted backup, but my local database is safe, right?
Waiting for the sync to finish shouldn't be an imperative neither in my case...
Did I get it right?
HI bentm,
As far as I know, you are safe with this arrangement, although I cannot be sure (not know the internals of Dropbox).
On the other hand, if you turn on Sync within Sente 6, you will have the same automatic backups, and it will be done by transferring only those records that have actually changed in a session, so it might be much faster.
Michael