Perspective: Out of sync at 35,000 feet

As I sit here on yet another long-distance flight, the person in front of me has reclined the seat, and now my laptop truly is in my lap.

The top of my screen is wedged up against the seat back. With barely enough room to type on the keyboard angled into my midsection, I wish I had a small, light "road warrior" machine (or that I could get to fly first class).

Like so many business users with more than one computer, I do have a smaller notebook I could have brought. But I rarely end up taking it on the road. It is much too difficult to keep the machine up to date with all of the files I am working on. Transferring files I keep in "My Documents" would not be so bad. But the real problem is keeping two completely synchronized and up-to-date Outlook files.

Why is it so hard to keep multiple machines in sync? It is a question I increasingly ask.

I can't see spending an hour or two synching up Outlook between machines each time I leave to travel, and then doing the same upon my return. It just isn't worth it.

Why is it so hard to keep multiple machines in sync? It is a question I increasingly ask. Why haven't the vendors solved this problem for us? For instance, why can't Microsoft figure out the synching problem at the operating system level? Why can't Intel come up with a scheme with all of their nice concept machine designs?

Yes, there are some third-party applications that do this (though probably not adequately for Outlook), but why should I have to buy another piece of software when this is such a fundamental requirement?

Does having two machines raise all kinds of issues for enterprises (cost, additional licensing of apps, etc.)? Yes, but this is only temporary, and the future will bring more user-based licensing rather than individual machine-based licensing (especially if significant numbers of people have more than one machine and push back on vendors to make multi-machine licenses affordable).

Certainly, offering another machine to some employees raises a cost issue for companies. But often the cost of the second machine is less than the cost of a nice executive office chair or fancy desk--an area in which many companies don't seem to have a problem when it comes to spending.

So, Mr. Gates, as you think about enhancements to your next-generation operating system, please figure out how to easily and safely keep two (or more) machines in sync for us traveling types. By the way, it means I will be buying two machines--twice the revenue for you and the hardware manufacturers (sort of like the two-car family). And don't forget allowing us to put Office on our other machines as well.

As for Intel's Paul Otellini, please look at an easy, user-friendly way to do synching at the machine hardware level that would make users' lives easier. It doesn't seem like it would be that hard to do. Many of us who have multiple machines would be very grateful (not to mention that you would sell lots more chips).

Biography
Jack E. Gold is a consultant and founder of J.Gold Associates.

More Perspectives

[jeffnewfeld]

Yes, it could be easier... but it isn't impossible

I keep three machines (two desktops and a laptop) in sync all the time. It takes a few different tools. I use Groove Virtual Office (now owned by Microsoft) to keep all of my documents synchronized between all three PCs, as well as to sync team workspaces so that I can work offline. Outlook (connected to our Exchange email server) automatically syncs email, calendar and contacts between all three computers as well as my Smartphone (an Audiovox 5600). And finally, I use Orb to get access to video, music and photo content that I don't want to sync to all of my machines (you don't sync 300 GB of content!).

To get ready for a road trip, I turn my laptop on, log on, and then let it sit for 5-30 minutes (depending on when I last used it) while it syncs all my content. Doesn't require any intervention at all on my part.

It took a little bit of thought to set up, and I too wish that a Groove-like tool was built into the operating system. But this does work.

[toddjones]

It's possible now.

There is an alternative. But it requires a change in perspective. Put your critical files, including outlook, on a USB key or small portable harddrive.

PI protector <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.imaginelan.com/winboot/pipfact2.pdf" target="_newWindow">http://www.imaginelan.com/winboot/pipfact2.pdf</a>
will do email for outlook or outlook express. Plus it has some file sync.

Migo <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.migosoftware.com/" target="_newWindow">http://www.migosoftware.com/</a> will do some versions of outlook.

I've been running Outlook off of a USB key with PI Protector for over a year. I've stopped carrying my laptop to and from work. Only taking the laptop if I'm travelling.

[Clues]

My desk & lap computers always sink automatically

My desk &#38; lap Macs always sink automatically wirelessly every
few seconds so at any moment I can leave with my laptop and
the document I'm working on on my desktop is up to the
moment.

They remain identical as long as they are within range. This is
part of the operating system and always has been. I never
realized there is yet another Windows area where Microsoft is
still living in the dark ages.

I really marvel at the incredible abuse you guys like to subject
yourselves to. It must take up a lot of your time constantly
fighting all the malware and severe limitations of your platform.

Sure glad I don't suffer that deficiency. What exactly do you tell
yourself is the reason for staying on the malware platform? Do
you actually believe what you tell yourself or other your reasons
are?

[jack jay]

VMware Server = Problem Solved

Solution Recipe:

1. Install &lt;insert your *nix here&gt; flavor on all pc's (this is an optional step :)
2. Install free vmware server from vmware.com
3. Install your target MS OS inside a vm
4. Move the vm file around to your liking, instead of sync'ing individual files

Everyone can now thank the terrific folks at vmware for an easy solution to:
- file sync
- config sync
- backup
- hardware insulation (the vm will run on any pc+vmware, without reloading drivers)
- portability (strip it down and put the entire vm on a 2gb usb fob)

...and the big one; removing the revenue streams the article mentions from MS and Intel. They just got overtaken by free software.

HTH,
J

How did this guy get on CNET

For someone who (from his web page) claims to "offer a broad based knowledge of the technology
landscape, and We [sic] offer a broad based knowledge of the technology landscape" it sure seems like he has zero clue about what's out there.

If he wants close to what he describes, he needs look no further than Lotus Notes, who had this ability for ages. Microsoft recently bought the company of the guy who did Notes (Groove), and will eventually get around to building something similar himself.

Yes, it's a kinda hard problem; and yes, Microsoft is working on it; so I don't know what the heck he's ranting about.

And I certainly don't know why anyone would go to him or his company for expert advice if he doesn't realize this.

[Soliton]

Use "Sync Toy"

While I'm by no means a MS fanboy, to give the devil its due, MS does have a "Sync Toy" available that syncs contents between drives/folders of two computers either when launched manually or scheduled... Look for it in XP power toys download section!

[adam_ginsburg]

Try Lotus Notes or IBM Workplace

I used to be a roadwarrior using Outlook Exchange... nightmare. I even forced our old company to use outlook/Exchange - what a nightmare. I used to be a MS bigot... MS everything then I started dabbling with a few other bits and pieces. I now have a PC Laptop and a Mac Power Book so I had to find something that was cross platform.

Started using Notes/Domino - wow it really works well in the offline disconnected more - extremely robust - these guys have been at it for years. The issues will be that you need have a server.

Addtionally the new IBM Workplace tool is pretty cool - gives you mail, documents and a few other bits and pieces that are all synched into a local encrypted repository.

Nice thing about both these solutions is that they'll run on Windows, Mac &#38; Linux.

[ukpm]

Don't see the problems here

I find there's no problems getting Outlook 2003 to connect and sync on any number of computers.
I usually am connected locally to the Exchange server, sometimes by VPN and the rest of the time I can switch to the RPC over HTTP Proxy - which gives unrestricted access to the Exchange store over any type of Internet connection. RPCoHTTPP is also very a fast and secure protocol.

Outlook Web Access is a credible alternative - offering 90% functionality from any Internet connected PC running Internet Explorer 6 or higher. The new Windows Live Mail beta is modelled on a version of OWA 11.0.

|ukpm

[trek5500]

Try buying a stand-alone monitor

Here's a novel thought. Buy a small notebook with the fastest CPU
you can find, and when you're at wortk, hook it up to a large flat
panel monitor and external, full-sized keyboard and mouse. No
need for additional software; you get a truly mobile machine, and
enough screen real estate when you're at the office. Oh, and for a
hell of a lot less cash than buying 2 systems.
And you're supposed to know tech?????