Syncplicity launches sync tool with backup, sharing, Google Docs integration

Today, Syncplicity launches its PC sync tool. Like the old-school FolderShare and the newer SugarSync (review), this product will keep the data on two machines (PCs only) in lockstep with each other. Syncplicity is in the hub-and-spoke camp (like SugarSync), not in the peer-to-peer world (FolderShare). This means that all the data that Syncplicity keeps track of for you is also stored on the company's servers.

There are advantages to this. Since the data is stored on an off-site server, the service becomes a passable backup and remote data access application. Also, the server-based architecture means your PCs don't have to be online at the same time to sync up. The downside, though, is that the storage costs the company money, so Syncplicity can't offer its service for free, as Microsoft does with FolderShare. Pricing for Syncplicity has not been set yet, but CEO Leonard Chung told me the single pricing scheme for the service will be in the ballpark of $20 a month.

Syncplicity has a very attractive interface, will sync your files across machines, and will integrate Google Docs too (sort of).

That's a lot of money for the service, although if you have a lot of data to sync up it's a good deal when compared with SugarSync. Syncplicity gives you unlimited storage and bandwidth--you don't have to count bits when you use the service. HP's new online backup service Upline (review) similarly offers unlimited storage.

I found the service very easy to set up, and the online interface to stored data clear and attractive.

Syncplicity has another trick up its sleeve: It syncs your data to online services. At the moment, it will sync word processing files to your Google Docs account, letting you (theoretically) move between using a local word processor such as Microsoft Word and Google's Web-based word processor. In reality, since the file formats and feature sets of Word and Google Docs are very different, it doesn't quite work like that. Syncplicity forks a Word doc into a simpler version when you open it with Google, making for potentially confusing edit reconciliation if there are changes made to a complex document in Google and on the desktop.However, for easily sharing files (read-only) from your desktop, it's a good start. A similar feature will come to spreadsheets and presentation files.

The product also syncs photo libraries with Facebook, so you can bypass the whole awkward Facebook upload process. It creates private, or hidden, folder for you, which you can then make public on your profile when you want.

At the moment, the Google Web service integration seems to be a bit of a party trick, but the Facebook link-in is pretty clever. This concept is Syncplicity's real revenue stream. Chung told me he plans to strike deals with online service companies to get them to link to the platform. He wants to see online services integrate with peoples' desktop data stores. It's a good vision.

See also DocSyncer, which does Google/Word integration, and Box.net, which has a similar business model but not Syncplicity's desktop chops. And ThinkFree, which has an integrated online/offline suite.

[MikeMooreTexas]

This is an important new category - I have used for Foldershare successfully for a while now but am always on the lookout for something newer and better. The one mystery I am trying to solve is syncing Outlook between my desktop and laptop - should be easy but I can't make it work.

[micke04]

I think $20 is a lot of money for this service. On the other hand it offers unlimited storage, but with limitations of max 100mb/file right now. How can unlimited storage be feasible in the long term?

[garfieldcik]

How can unlimited storage be feasible in the long term? I wanted to know.
http://www.estetikmerkezi.biz

[whois101]

After the unannounced forced update of FolderShare, last week, I'm looking for a more stable platform. It looks like the product can no longer be relied on.

Microsoft really blew it by forcing everybody to upgrade FolderShare one night, and creating a lot of different problems for the users. The new, Microsoft-ified, version is slow and even after the installation has completed, it seems to be using far more resources. It looks like this move was brought on by the new push to Live Mesh, and it doesn't look good or stable. Microsoft's total disregard for the Foldershare user base is troublesome.

Like said, I'm now looking for alternatives for my multi-location synchronization needs.

[benson_84]

It's quite troublesome for me as I only have one computer, if I need to access my files on another computer, I can't simply install Syncplicity because it will synchronize files on both computers (one which is shared). Also on the shared computer I can't install applications as I do not have admin rights.
So for me, I used a software called Hibernater (www.hibernater.com) and I can use it to save and resume my files easily, the application also doesnt need installation, just click and run, works like a breeze.

[estetikmerkezi]

sitemdeki yedekleri burada depolamam mümkün san?r?m.
http://www.estetikmerkezi.com