Insync is a new option for Mac and Windows users (and soon Linux as a Linux port is in the making) who want to synchronize their Google Docs documents with local PCs. The program uses Google’s own authentication system for authorization, which means that you do not have to supply your Google login information to use the program.

The first thing that you need to do after installation is to link machines to the service. Linked machines are the only systems that will synchronize documents with Google Docs. Linking did not work right away on a test system, a restart of the application did however resolve the issue.

A web page is opened if your run the program from a new system to link the new computer with the synchronization service. Once done, files will get synced automatically to the system whenever the app is running. Please note that you do not have options to sync selected files or folders with local machines. If you configure Insync to run on a system, everything will be synchronized.

Documents are by default stored in the Insync\Google Docs Email\ folder in the My Documents folder. It is possible to change the root document folder but not the folder name.

Any changes that you make locally to your documents will be synced with Google Docs automatically and vice versa.

The developers have hinted at the possibility to use Google Docs and Insync as a Dropbox alternative. Since it is possible to upload non-document file types to Google Docs, it is possible to use the service to host files online. The biggest advantage over Dropbox is the price for additional storage that is up to eight times cheaper.

Users who do not want to buy additional storage on the other hand get only 1 Gigabyte of free storage space, which is half of what they get when they sign up for a Dropbox account.

The Insync guide lists features that the program offers that Dropbox does not offer:

• Read/write + read only sharing permissions (on folder + file)
• File sharing (you have to share folders in Dropbox)
• Share recipients aren’t charged against their Google Docs storage quota
• Nested sharing (you know who you are!)
• Google Docs collaboration
• Leave Insync anytime and all your stuff are in your Google Docs account
• No direct access to your files (a rogue employee will have to create a program that uses the Google Docs API and steal your access credentials to get at your files)
• Insync only stores your file metadata

Some of the functionality is provided only on the Insync website and not in the client. This includes the ability to share documents among other features.

Google Docs users who want to synchronize their documents with multiple machines may find Insync quite useful for that purpose. The developers do have plans to integrate premium features at a later point in time. (via Caschy)

The interface looks minimalistic on first glance, but that impression changes after the first few seconds. The source and target folders, and the mode are selected on the first screen. The depth of the program shines through for a first time when the mode is selected. Available are 14 different modes, from various backup options (standard backup, incremental backups, full backups, differential backups..) over synchronizing, updating or restoring files to copying, moving or comparing them.

• Copy/Move: Copies/Moves the files and folders to the target folder.
• Move to Recycle Bin: Recycle Bin Deletes the selected items (or sends to Recycle Bin)
• Delete Immediately: Deletes the item immediately without sending items to the Recycle Bin
• Backup: Any files in the source folder not found in the target folder will be copied. Overwrites a file in the target folder if the source file is newer.
• Synchronize: Any files in the source folder not found in the target folder will be copied. Overwrites a file in the target folder if the source file is newer.
  Files found in the target folder that do not exist in the source folder will be deleted.
• Backup both ways: Any file in the source folder not found in the target folder will be copied. Any file in the target folder not found in the source folder will be copied. Overwrites a file in the target folder if the source file is newer. Overwrites a file in the source folder if the target file is newer.
• Copy Backup: All files in the source folder will be copied, regardless of the setting of the archive attribute. The archive attribute on files is not modified.
• Full Backup: All files in the source folder will be copied, regardless of the setting of the archive attribute. Clears the archive attribute on each file that it copies
• Differential Backup: Only files whose archive attribute is set are copied. The archive attribute on files is not modified.
• Incremental Backup: Only files whose archive attribute is set are copied. Clears the archive attribute on each file that it copies. Backs up files that have changed since the most recent Full Backup or Incremental Backup.
• Update: Overwrites the file in the target folder from source folder if the source file is newer.
• Restore: Any file in the source folder not found in the target folder will be copied. Overwrites a file in the target folder if the source file is older.
• File Compare: All files that exist in the source folder and the target folder are displayed on the preview window.
  Compares each file within the source folder and the target folder.

Each operation has its own set of project properties that are accessible via the Properties button.

The options here differ tremendously. Only two pages with options are for instance displayed if a copy project is created, but a total of 12 pages for a backup. Everything appears to be there, from network support over file compression, revisions management, filters to logging and history information.

Copyto Synchronizer

• Supports multiple folders.
• Include/Exclude filters which you specify (wildcards supported)
• Excludes folders and files which you specify (wildcards supported)
• Verifies each file on a byte by byte basis after copying.
• Revisions : saves the existing file by renaming according to the following rules before replacing by the newer file.
• Bundled “Task Controller” program. This program enables the project file to be added to the Windows Task easily.
• Compresses all files within each folder into one archive using ZIP compression
• Verifies the volume label of the drive before CopyTo starts.
• Customizes the sounds for specific events, on Finished/Preview/Error/Confirmation.
• Specifies the command line of the application you wish to launch before/after the project file runs.
• Displays Warning dialog box about Not enough space on the disk.
• Automatically Ignore FAT/NTFS time differences.
• Supports adjusting difference of Daylight Saving Time. (Treats files exactly 1 hour apart as equal for daylight savings time)
• Records details of the updating process to the log file (HTML Document).

Copyto Synchronize has a set of global options as well. It is for instance possible to add operations to the Windows context menu to initiate them directly from Windows Explorer.

CopyTo Synchronizer Download And Compatibility

CopyTo Synchronizer is an excellent program for all data synchronization and backup tasks. The software is available free of charge at the developer website. The software has been tested on a 64-bit installation of Windows 7 Professional, and is compatible with all Windows operating systems from Windows 98 to Windows 7.

CopyTo Synchronizer Alternatives

There are lots of alternatives available, but most offer only some of the features of the reviewed program. Check out our backup software guide for alternatives.

The other requirements are a Windows Live ID and Microsoft Internet Explorer to access the contents on the Internet. Users who might find those restrictions to strict are better off with Dropbox who is less restrictive in this regard.

Live Mesh works by adding computer devices to the Mesh. The Mesh are all devices that synchronize data. It basically works by adding devices to the Mesh in first place, e.g. a local computer running Windows XP. That computer is then added to the Mesh that the user has access to. The process finishes with the installation of the Live Mesh software on the local computer.

Live Mesh will create a system folder on the computer system containing all folders that have been selected for synchronization by the user. That’s different from Dropbox which makes use of one static folder with the requirement that all synchronized folders are created in that folder. Some users have posted workarounds by using symbolic links but that’s pretty advanced and not recommended for beginners or inexperienced computer users.

Folders can be added by right-clicking them and selecting “Add folder to Live Mesh” from the context menu. It takes a few seconds before the newly selected folder appears in the global system folder. Synchronization with the Live Mesh online service usually starts immediately afterwards.

Live Mesh is currently providing 5 Gigabytes of storage space to its users, 3 Gigabytes more than what Dropbox is currently offering.

Another interesting option is the ability to invite members. Inviting members will give them access to selected folders – and their files. That’s interesting if documents need to be shared with several computer users regularly.

Live Mesh does have its shortcomings. The main being the concentration on the Windows platform and the Internet Explorer requirement for browsing the data online. While Internet Explorer will surely remain a requirement the prospect of being able to add mobile devices and Macs looks interesting. It remains to be seen though if mobile devices are limited to the Windows Mobile platform.

As of now Live Mesh provides a fast way of synchronizing data online for Windows users. It works intuitive, the performance is fine and the storage space is enough for a lots of data.

The interface of USB Syncer requires minimal user input. The user needs to choose the source folder on the hard drive and the destination folder on the USB device. The contents of the source folder will be copied to the USB device whenever the USB device is connected to the computer. Contents that are stored in the folder on the USB device will be deleted before the transfer starts.

The software program comes in an early beta version that has some limitations that are explained during installation and in the readme file. The application might not work properly if more than one removable device is connected to the computer during synchronization.

The software will ask the user if he wants to perform a synchronization if the user selects the Synchronize Now link int the Windows Start Menu. If a device gets detected that has been connected to the computer the program will ask if the user wants to synchronize the folder with that device.