For the last several years, one of my favorite programs has been Network Unplugged. Not long after I started using Network Unplugged, Mobiliti, the company that made it was acquired by Packeteer. At that time, the name was changed from Network Unplugged to Mobiliti.
Regardless the program was still the same. The aspect of this program that I really loved was that it replicated the network folders I designated onto my local drive. Thus, when I was away from the office, I could still access my files. In addition to replicating the files, however, it also replicated the drive path. Thus, accessing a file when I am sitting on my back deck is the same as accessing one when I am in the office. When I return to the office, I simply synchronize the files and I am all set.
Unfortunately, last year Packeteer was acquired by Blue Coat Systems. As a consequence, Mobiliti is no longer being sold. Thus, I have started looking for a possible replacement, in the event that I will have to make a switch in the future. Right now Mobiliti is still working fine for me. However, I want to be preapred in case I develop a problem with it or if it comes time to upgrade to a new computer.
One program that I have stumbled across is BeInSync. It looks promising. However, I am curious if there is anyone who has tried it who doesn’t mind sharing their experiences. I am also open to other suggestions. The key features I am looking for are preserving the file paths and good synchronization. I am also not interested in a solution that requires me to have an internet connection.
Although I am connected to high speed internet much of the time, there are places I visit regularly where I have no reliable internet connection.
Bryan, I’m in the same boat and have been looking. One that’s been recommended is Beyond Compare 3 from Scooter Software at http://www.scootersoftware.com/shop.php . I’m still looking since I had Unplugged Server which did Delta level encoding to transfer only the changed bits of a file.
Checkout http://www.getdropbox.com
At first blush it DOES require an internet connection – folders that you elect to sync are being backed up to Amazon S3 (aka “the cloud”). However, each machine that you connect with your Dropbox has it’s own copy of each file (locally) — thus, you can work and make changes offline -> You eventually reconnect -> Dropbox sees the changes and brings them out to the cloud -> When your other machine(s) connects to the internet it (automatically) brings down the changes.
I’m sure my explanation is clear as mud, so checkout their screencast and (at least when I signed up a few months ago) you could get a couple GB for free to give it a test drive.