Macdropany equivalent for windows for free#
Macdropany equivalent for windows mac#

I say with luck, simply because we are not dealing with multi-user systems and you have to use common sense or you will lose data. Nothing is guaranteed but a similar symbolic link on your other Macs should allow the one database to be used everywhere. If you understand the potential problems, you can synchronise databases by using a symbolic link between the database folder in Application Support and your Dropbox folder. You can understand the reluctance because there is a high risk of data corruption or lost data if you try to open the same file on two computers at the same time.Īll is not lost, though. The official advice from developers is that there’s nothing they can do and they do not recommend using Dropbox to synchronise their data with other computers. Occasionally, though, you come across a program that insists on looking for its data in a specific location – more than likely in ~Library/Application Support. Finally, bear in mind that although Dropbox sync is quick, you do need to wait a few minutes for the files to sync before rushing from one computer to the other.

Macdropany equivalent for windows mac#

Most our Mac applications do not support multi-user databases, but this isn’t a problem as long as you are the only user and won't be trying to access the same data on more than one computer at a time. There is a caveat, of course: Make sure applications are closed and files saved on one Mac before trying to open the synchronised document on another. What's more, everything is backed up to the Dropbox cloud in case the worst should happen.

Whether I am working on my desktop computer or abroad on my MacBook Air I am looking at the same set of data and everything is always up to date. I've been synchronising in this way for over two years and I have never encountered a single problem or loss of data. For instance, the data for my accounts system, my 1Password keychain, my OmniFocus database and all my Numbers documents are on Dropbox.

One of the most satisfying feats of Dropbox is synchronisation of databases. Subscriptions are available for 50GB or 100GB if you want to store more data.

Macdropany equivalent for windows for free#

For free you get 2GB of storage which means you can ensure all your vital stuff is constantly backed up off site. This way the data is instantly accessible. In the case of the iOS Dropbox applications, however, you choose the individual files you want to see from within the app.įor convenience I keep my Dropbox folder on the Desktop and treat is as the main storage location, completely replacing the Documents folder on the Mac. This is also a useful facility if one of your computers has limited storage, such as with a 64GB MacBook Air. If you have sensitive material in Dropbox you can choose (from the Dropbox website) which of your linked computers should have access. If you are offline, everything is there and can be worked on it will sync automatically as soon as you are connected again. It holds a local copy of all your data and this is reproduced on the Dropbox server and on as many linked computers as you wish, not just Macs. Unlike MobileMe’s iDisk, where you have to make a conscious decision to mount the drive, the Dropbox folder is always there and acts just like any other folder on the Mac. I've raved about it before but, if you don't know by now, Dropbox creates a folder on your computer which then synchronises with the Dropbox server. If there is one application that gets universal approval and which is used by every geek in the Mac universe it has to be Dropbox.