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TB! sync with two coputers via internet
 
#1
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May there be an easy way to fully synchronize two computers with same settings of 'the Bat'? IMAP is not an option.

I know the possibilities of archive/backup etc, but this is not really an option when you have a laptop at work and desktop at home. So - can it be done more easily via internet (via own server, webdav, etc)?

Thank you,
Kristiina
Edited: Kristiina Tammarus - 07 November 2008 23:23:09
 
 
 
#2
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Provided that you've got full access to the remote computer (including the option to run programs remote) there's no reason that you can't synchronize two bats.

TB's synchronizing process works as follows:
Step 1: PC1 makes a file that includes everything.
Step 2: PC2 compares the first with its own message base/config and adds thethings it misses to its own setup and the things it has that PC1 hasn't are added to a second file.
Step 3: PC1 adds the contents of the second file to its own config.

However, you don't need step 3 when you keep the systems synchronized.
When you're finished at work, you perform step1 and place the resulting file on a location where PC2 can reach it.
At home you perform step2. When you're finished at home you perform step1 as the last thing before shutting TB down.
At work you perform step1 as the first thing and then you're continuing with the same message base and setup as you ended with at home.

This looks the same as creating a backup and restoring it before you're starting to work, but it has the advantage that it won't cause any data loss when you start with checking your mail and answering the most imortant stuff before you start synchronizing.
__________________________________
I'm just a user of The Bat! I don't work for Ritlabs.
 
 
 
#3
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Thank you for your answer. No, remote connection is not possible. I would be more interested in option, where you have - for example - automatic possiblity to sync your TB! files in your own server (webdav), and then both clients sync their data auotmatically via that server.

Please, take a look at Zotero - totally free notes manager, opportunity to sync different computers via one server, including files via your own webdav. This is what I have in mind.

The solution or process you proposed presumes you have to do everything manually or create some .bat scripts etc (not to mention being between firewalled without NAT support) - I'm sorry, but this kind of solution nowadays is not really an option.

Thank you,
Kristiina
Edited: Kristiina Tammarus - 08 November 2008 13:29:21
 
 
 
#4
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What you're proposing isn't synchronizing two bats, but sharing the same message base, because that's what Zotero is doing.
Sharing the same message base can be done with TB.

Have some network or internet space.
Map that shared space to a drive letter (preferrably the same letter on both systems)
Drop your mail directory on your shared space
Point your bats to the mail directory on that shared space
Now all of your filters, messages, templates and account settings will be shared by both systems.
The only thing that won't be shared are the stuff that's stored in the registry, basically that's the stuff you access from Tools -> Preferences
Whenever you create a new account on PC1 you'll have to create it at PC2 too, but the rest will be shared automatically.
When using this setup I strongly advise that you don't keep both instances of TB running at the same time, because that would cause corrupted files and duplicate messages.
And I'd use an encrypted message base when it's place somewhere on the net. (You'll need the pro-version for that.)

Personally I'd prefer IMAP over this.
__________________________________
I'm just a user of The Bat! I don't work for Ritlabs.
 
 
 
#5
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here is how I do it, you can sync more than 2 PC's this way, without moving files or sharing anything between them:

For incoming mail, I have set 'Leave messages on server' for 10 days - this way everybody gets it.

In new message and reply templates, I have the following:

%SetHeader(X-sID,%Put('C:\computer_name.txt'))%-
%BCC="another@email.com"

This way in each outgoing mail a custom header with the computer name is inserted, and a BCC copy is automatically sent to another address.

Then I have a second account for another@email.com, also set to leave mail on server for 10 days, and filters that sort the mail I get from it.
The first filter checks X-sID header and deletes emails that were sent from the same computer, as they are already present. The rest of the filters sort the rest of the mails (that come from other computers) into the folders of the main account. They are in fact the same as the filters for outgoing mail in the main account.
It can be used not only for one main account, but for more as well.

This way I have sort of semi-IMAP, all PC's have all incoming mails and also all outgoing mails sent from all of the PC's. It works perfectly for me for several years now.

 
 
 
#6
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OK, I see. But it also means, that whenever I want to read some messages or attachments (from my webserver which is attached to both computers as a drive letter), all the time it has to download them again from the server - which may be very costly, when using pay-per-megabite connections (during trips)?

And when server is down or I don't have any web connection I cannot see my e-mail at all? In Zotero's case the message base is stored in both computers, so I can read info also offline.

Or did I understand something wrong?

Regards,
Kristiina
 
 
 
#7
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As far as I browsed Zotero's site, it mentioned storing stuff on a location accessible from all computers, I didn't see anything about local mirrors.

But the way I described would mean no visible mail when you're off line.

Big one's solution will work as well, the reason I didn't mention it is that it won't synchronize your address book, templates and filters.

Anyway, why don't you go for a large USB stick with Voyager, that way you'll have the same instance of TB both at work and at home. You'll need the pro version for access to Voyager, but as you're using TB at work that won't be a problem.
As a USB stick can be lost somewhat easier than a complete laptop you'd better backup regularly, but that's the best way to go anyway.
__________________________________
I'm just a user of The Bat! I don't work for Ritlabs.
 
 
 
#8
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Thanks for a quick reply. No, Zotero is storing its database equally in all computers in your specified folder (I'm using it hence I know), and in one central webdav webserver. You can browse you notes collection offline, and sync is also done automatically. As long as I have used it, it has proved to be an almost perfect solution.

Yes, all the before-mentioned solutions are thinkable, but they are certanily far from being flexible, unsophisticated and intuitive.

One way or another, I think, TB! must someday develop this kind of system. Why not to be among the first...?

Good luck!
 
 
 
#9
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Dear all,

I'm wondering again, after some time has passed, whether TB! has now implemented some sort of real-time and rational way of synchronization between different computers?
 
 
 
#10
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there is no perfect solution in any mail client. Options are
-imap
-using the same msg bases from both PC's, as Roelof suggested. Either on USB stick or shared location.
-home made semi-imap as I suggested
-some more or less complicated scripted solution

Something that syncs a local copy of a file with a copy on a webserver can't do a bidirectional sync of messages - it will replace older file with the newer one, so messages that exist only in the older by date msg base will be lost.

If you need to sync only messages, what I use is good. Has to be set once on each PC and that's it. It's pure pop3, everything is available offline, no need to move files, no need to share folders, no firewall issues etc. From time to time, you may manually sync other stuff (address books, filters etc.)
 
 
 
#11
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10 years ago !!
  • The Bat, who know what version, 1.., 2?
  • 5 PC in same office (one of them was a 286 laptop)
  • a 10 M slow network (coaxial cable)
  • one phone call out expensive internet connection
  • 1 PC (central PC, or name it server, but it was not) was turn on in the morning and closed evening. On that pc was somebody working, of course. There was centralized, emails, templates (email templates very important), and notes (besides every folder or contact, very, very important step for the office work, to know who i s the client, what is the stage or progress of collaboration, etc), attachments.
  • All other PC was reading the same data, very quick, even attachments.
  • If somebody wanted to send an email, email was of course off;line composed and then SEND. (then the central PC, connected to Phone Line via a 56k modem, was dialing, first receiving new emails, then sending the requested email, the line was automatically closed afterwards.
  • All the people from other PC was happy because each of them received new emails. each ones on their own accounts, or common accounts.
Nobody ever complaint.. everything was working perfect!

So, please take one of this old installers and learn the logic of this workflow. (because the installer tech you where is physically stored the data, if it is local or on a network, this is the secret).Then replace that simple server with a cloud sync service, like Gdrive or Dropbox, etc.

Today I am wandering why I never heard somebody complaining about any conflicts, or data losses. I am sure the structure today is quite the same. I don't think that those days it was a database...

I wait positive reports :)
 
 
 
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