Syncoco overview

Syncoco (Synchronize two computers) is a file synchronization tools that synchronizes one or more directories between two computers (see below: "Why only two computers?"). Unless other file synchronization tools, it does not need an online connection between the two computers. Instead, a data medium (like a memory stick, CD-RW) can be used for synchronization. The size of this transfer medium can be much smaller than the size of the directory structure you want to keep synchronized, since only changed/missing files are transferred.

Typical usage scenario

• You have two computers (work, home) with no or very limited (slow) network connection.
• You want to keep your files synchronized between both computers.
• The total size of all files you want to keep synchronized does not fit on the transfer medium you have (for instance a memory stick).
• The total size of the files changed between the synchronizations is typically lesser than the size of the transfer medium.

Features of the initial version

• Can handle creating new files, deleting files, and movement of files.
• Keeps one or more directories (including subdirectories) of two different computers synchronized. The directories can have different names on both computers.
• Not necessary to have a direct connection between the computers, the synchronization is performed by a data medium (memory stick, CD-RW).
• Powerful file filtering system allows you to synchronize exactly that files you want to synchronize. Exclude files that are only of temporary nature or specially tailored for one computer.
• File system type (NTFS, FAT32, FAT) of the two computers can be different (although not thoroughly tested). The file system of the transfer medium can also differ (it must only support file names with more than 8 characters)
• Size of the directories can be much larger than the size of the transfer medium. Only changed/missing files are stored on the transfer medium. Additionally, the Syncoco document file itself is stored on the transfer medium. This file contains the directory and file structure state of the two computers.
• Transferring of files is verified by means of the MD5 hash sum.

What is currently not implemented?

• Files with a size larger than the transfer medium can not be transferred. There is no feature to part the file into smaller pieces for transferring.
• Advanced file system features, like hard links and symbolic links, substreams and so on are not supported.
• During synchonization of newly created files, the file attributes are synchronized too. However, if you later on change the attribute of a file (only the attribute), this change is not synchronized to the other system.
• Permission settings of files and directories are not synchronized.

Why synchronizing only two computers?

As mentioned above, only changed files are stored on the transfer medium. If you finished working on one computer, you typically start Syncoco and initiate the synchronization. In this process, Syncoco has to decide what files to store to the transfer medium. This is be done by comparing the state of the file system here with the file system there (on the other computer), and than copying files that have changed here or are missed there.

Of course, nobody prevents you from storing more than one Syncoco document on your transfer medium. But you must initiate a different synchronization for exactly this document.

Installation

• Syncoco is written in C#, you need the .NET runtime to run it!
• For those who have already installed the .NET runtime: just download the Syncoco.msi file and double click it!
• For those who have not already installed the .NET runtime: install the .NET runtime 1.1 first. You only need the redistributable, it is available in different languages. You can download it from Microsoft here, it is around 33MB). After installation of the .NET framework redistributable, download Syncoco.msi and double click it.

Using Syncoco

Please refer to the supplied help file or use the online documentation.

Support

Syncoco is free software! Syncoco is an Open Source project, that is covered under the GNU Public License.  As such, your main form of support for Syncoco will be through subscription to the Syncoco mailing list. In addition, SourceForge has bug tracking capabilities, so please report any bugs here.  Wish list items will also be considered, but I make absolutely no promises.