A few months later, Google released a free program that not only moves data between the two calendar apps, but it also syncs the calendar entries automatically at the interval of your choice.
Google Calendar Sync is so fast and simple to use that my calendars were synced before I knew it. When you install the program, you're asked where you want to place the utility's shortcuts; by default, they'll be added to your Start menu and desktop.
Uncheck the installer's shortcut options to prevent a new icon to be added to your Start menu or desktop.
(Credit: Google)When the installation completes, the program's main window opens, prompting you to add your Google ID and password, and to select either two-way syncs, syncs from Google Calendar to Outlook, or syncs from Outlook to Google Calendar. You can also reset the frequency of updates; the default is every two hours.
Decide whether you want two-way calendar syncs, or one-way transfers between Google Calendar and Outllook.
(Credit: Google)If Outlook's not open on your machine, you'll be prompted to enter your Outlook username and password. Then the data in each calendar will be added to the other (if you selected the two-way option). When I installed the Google sync utility, I was surprised how quickly the dozens of entries in my Google Calendar were added to Outlook.
I didn't I notice any missing or garbled entries. In fact, the similarity of the two calendars' appearance was a little spooky: I thought for a second that Google had taken possession of my copy of Office. (I probably jumped the gun on that thought by a couple of years.)
Google offers some caveats about using its Calendar Sync program. For example, you need to uninstall any third-party calendar-syncing applications on your PC beforehand. If you've been using another method, you must choose which of the two calendars you want to use as your primary one and clear the entries from the other. Finally, you have to perform a one-way sync from the primary to the secondary before you can schedule automated syncs.
Another limitation of the utility is that only your pop-up event reminders will transfer from Google Calendar to your Outlook calendar because Outlook doesn't support e-mail and SMS alerts. If you encounter problems using Google Calendar Sync, check the information on Google's troubleshooting page for the program.
After seeing what Google can do to enhance Office applications, I'm thinking that a Windows-killing desktop operating system from the company isn't such a bad idea.
If you're looking to keep folders synchronized across different computers, Microsoft's FolderShare is a top-notch tool. But what about synchronizing local folders?
Microsoft's local sync tool, SyncToy, isn't bad. As part of the Windows XP PowerToys add-ons, it's convenient, uncomplicated, and stable. The five different types of synchronization might sound limiting, but they cover the gamut of sync combinations. Users can sync in one direction or bidirectionally. The other three sync types specify how the sync manages new, deleted, and updated files: updating only files in common that have changed, not deleting files from the source that have been deleted in the destination, and a combination of the two.
SyncToy uses big icons to help show off its preset sync settings.
(Credit: Microsoft)There's a glaring missing feature, though, that for my needs obviates the utility of any of those predefined synchronizations: there's no scheduler. More than anything, when I need folders synchronized--whether it's from my C: drive to an external backup or a thumbdrive I use to keep essential files and portable applications with me--I need a scheduler. Not being able to "set it and forget it" might not be a game-ender for some, but for me it's a must-have.
This is where SyncBack comes in. I use SyncBack as my backup utility, and I use it to regularly sync folders that contain files that are regularly edited. SyncBack comes with a set of predefined sync terms, but allows for a comprehensive selection of user-defined syncs that surpasses SyncToy's offerings.
SyncBack's customizations and scheduler leave little out.
(Credit: 2BrightSparks)You can customize SyncBack not just for file updates, deletions, or newly added files, but also adjust syncing behavior if the source or destination file has become larger or smaller than its match. You can even set SyncBack to prompt for user input, which sort of defeats the purpose of a scheduler except that you don't have to worry about accidentally copying over a file because of a rule.
The scheduler means, of course, that my fading and sieve-like memory is no longer required to make sure that I have backups and that I'm using the latest versions of files at home and work. The price of all the customization that has been rolled in to SyncBack is that the graphical user interface isn't very graphic. There's radio buttons and check boxes, and it makes a strong effort at being uncomplicated, but one of SyncToy's strengths is that the interface is heavily dependent on graphics. The interface window is wide, with big folder icons taking up a lot of screen real estate.
I've yet to come across a more flexible and forgiving freeware backup and sync tool than SyncBack, but if you use a better one, let us know in the comments below.
If you're looking for a convenient, uncomplicated, and stable synchronization tool, you could do much, much worse than Microsoft's SyncToy. Part of the Windows XP PowerToys add-ons, this tool makes it easy to keep folder contents identical on one machine or across a network.
The first time you run it, SyncToy will guide you through creating a pair of linked folders. Labeled as Left and Right, it will then ask you to choose from one of five synchronization methods. Echo works like a standard one-way sync, copying all files from Left to Right. Synchronize is bidirectional; Contribute works like Echo but it won't delete files removed from the Left folder; Subscribe only updates files in common that have been updated; and Combine merges Synchronize and Contribute so that files are updated in both directions, but none are deleted. SyncToy does support encrypted files.
SyncToy also offers up a preview, preventing accidental loss of data. However, the two feature omissions are hard to ignore: you can't synchronize across the Internet, and there's no scheduler. For the former, Microsoft does offer a different tool, FolderShare, but requiring users to manually sync all folders leaves SyncToy behind other free backup apps.
UPDATED: Corrected Opera's country of origin.
E-mail and RSS feed improvements top the list of changes for Opera 9.60, moved out of beta today for Windows and Mac. As noted when the 9.60 beta came out last month, this version of the free browser offers up a multifaceted ''low-bandwidth mode'' for Opera Mail and tweaks to the RSS reader.
Updates to Opera Link let users synchronize even more settings.
(Credit: Opera)The feed preview rolls into Opera's RSS management a standalone RSS app feature so that users can preview feeds before subscribing to them. The low bandwidth option for Opera Mail, also called M2, does different things for different kinds of accounts. Accessible under the Mail option on the Menubar, POP users will see messages truncated to the first 100 lines of a message, while IMAP users will find that it restricts downloads only to new messages. Both strip out attachment downloads unless otherwise specified.
Both accounts will also benefit from the new Follow/Ignore option. Ignore sets a contact's e-mail to never download, and Follow does the opposite, always downloading messages from a specific contact. Ignored contacts' messages are not deleted, just left on your server. Users are expected to manage their own account size limits, though.
Further improvements have also been made to Opera Link, the browser's synchronization service. It now supports synchronizing typed history and custom search engine preferences. This means that if you've typed something into the search or location bar, you can now sync it to any computer that you're using.
The full changelog can be read here.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
One problem almost all laptop users have experienced is not having the "latest version." I'm not talking about a particular piece of software, a driver update, or even the laptop itself. I'm talking about that moment when you're on the road or at a conference and you smack yourself in the head because you forgot to get the "latest version" of that important file off your desktop PC. From there, it's a scramble to call your co-worker, roommate, or significant other to find a way to get the latest version to you.
While I don't have the power to make people remember to sync every important file to their laptop, I can certainly provide ways to make the process easier. A good syncing application makes it easy to see which files are up to date with your latest work, and which ones are not. Usually syncing apps provide a dual-paned interface so you can browse folders on different drives and computers. The good ones have helpful alert icons so it's easy to pick the right files to transfer so you always have the latest version. Of course, the nature of syncing programs make them a great choice for creating regular backups of your important files and folders as well.
The 2-paned interface makes it easy to match up files in important folders.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Synchronize It offers a two-paned interface for easy folder and directory syncing. A start dialog helps you designate what you want to sync up, whether it's between your desktop and your laptop, folder to folder, or even FTP sites for Web site updates. There are several preset rules for syncing up your data, but you can use the options to create new rules, select specific file types, and create filters so you know you're getting exactly what you want. If you want a hard copy of folder contents, Synchronize It offers options for HTML reports and printouts. Synchronize It is shareware so you'll get 30 days to sample its features before you'll need to register ($19).
Use the wizard interface for quick synchronization, or access the regular interface for more advanced functions.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Easy2Sync offers free and paid versions, but this free version is great for simple folder and file syncing. Easy2Sync offers helpful wizards so you can set up rules for syncing, schedule regular syncing tasks, and make sure you sync up only the files and folders you want. Though initially even the wizards can seem a bit complicated, the Easy2Sync help system gives you all the basics to make the job a lot easier. This free version does not support syncing of subdirectories or performing multiple tasks, but if it's simply a folder you need to sync up on a regular basis, it does the job nicely. The full version of Easy2Sync business edition costs $79.
Check the directional icons in the middle of the interface to see the status of matched files.
(Credit: CNET Networks)GoodSync is a popular free syncing program that boasts one-click functionality. You can set up filters for specific file types and folders like the other apps, and you can schedule regular syncing for backups and to make sure, for example, your laptop always has the latest versions. It supports syncing to FTP sites like Easy2Sync, or several other media types like USB keys, CDRW drives, and Flash drives. You also get a number of options for when you want GoodSync to sync up important files, such as at system start-up, on a schedule, or when your laptop is first connected. One thing I particularly like about GoodSync is the tabbed interface so I can quickly get to different syncing jobs with the click of a mouse.
The last thing you want to happen when you're on the road for work is find out the project you've been working on is completely out of date. Make sure all your important folders are synced up using one of these apps. As always, if you have a favorite that isn't listed here, please tell us about it in the comments!
This Java-based freeware program synchronizes files and folders, even across network drives. Light but lacking any personalization features, Directory Synchronizer is an early beta, but looks promising.
Directory Synchronizer lacks a pretty face.
(Credit: CNET Networks, Inc.)Befitting a program possessing such a small footprint--the EXE doesn't require an installer, since it's only 22 KB--there's not much to this application. Directory Synchronizer can be set to sync based on either date or content. Users can preview two folders that they're thinking about syncing with the Compare tool, and simply check off a box to exclude a subdirectory from the process.
Directory Synchronizer gives you the results you want.
(Credit: CNET Networks, Inc.)Users can also save sync tasks, and use them again with the "Open sync task" tool. Provided that the folder names and locations on their respective drives haven't changed, this should work without a hitch. I found synchronization to be reasonably fast, as syncing more than one gigabyte of files from a network drive to my local hard disk took about five minutes.
Certainly, there are larger and more powerful sync freeware tools, my favorite being SyncBack. But if you're looking for tiny, free, and effective, and don't care about the interface, you should give Directory Synchronizer a try.
Do you have a favorite freeware backup tool? Let us know about it in the comments.
- prev
- 1
- next
