FolderShare is a website and software application that allows you to create a personal Peer-to-Peer network. Use FolderShare to retrieve/update documents or to share your files (photos, reports, etc.) with family, friends, and colleagues. A FolderShare Library is the center of this personal P2P network. Run FolderShare on multiple personal computers (like your home and office machines) and you will have a powerful file system at your disposal. FolderShare can automatically create an identical set of files on all of your computers. Make a file at home and it will instantly be copied to your office computer. Edit a file on your laptop and your office computer will automatically update its version of the file. If you are on the road, use FolderShare to view and download files from your office computer via any web browser. Expand your P2P network by turning your FolderShare library into a group library. Create a Library with invited friends/colleagues and build a collection of files (documents, photos, etc.) that everyone in the group can access. Securely share as many files as you desire because FolderShare has no file size limitations or bandwidth quotas. FolderShare is easy because there is no special file management interface - Access your files the way you are used to (ie: C drive, Windows Explorer, Network drive). The FolderShare program works behind the scenes monitoring your file system for changed files. Once a changed file is detected, FolderShare replicates the file to all connected servers or desktops.
It was convenient for its time, especially for small business and folks who work on several computers.
Cons
Duplicated already extant files and subfolders, so in essence it didn't "sync" in the current sense of the word. It would add new files, but also double-up on the pre-existing files and folders instead of replacing them with their updated versions.
This is why it was a bad idea to share folders with a lot of subfolders, or folders with dozens of documents. Unless you like chaos.
In 2008-9, when last used, it was difficult to select/de-select specific drives and computers. It may not have been possible to share certain files with ONLY certain people as opposed to sharing files with everyone all the time. Foldershare required learning some non-intuitive filing/saving procedures.
Summary
Flawed but FREE and ground-breakingly useful for the time. And a big corp knows how to kill something the small people need.
Nice Idea - but sad end - Alternatives?
totmacher
Pros
FolderShare is a great idea!<p>Sharing my files with friends and making my own data always available is extremely important to me.<p>Having my files distributed among multiple computers is my backup.
Cons
Unfortunately Foldershare lacks of stability in my point of view.<p>Since they get bought by MS it got worse ;(<p>Other programs like PowerFolder (powerfolder.com) also add delta-synchronization and offer the possibility to store files in an Online Storage. It is an alternative which is more attractive to me.
Summary
Very effective
ddpel
Pros
Installation was a breeze. Tried only the "access" mode thus far: simple and intuitive, works through firewalls, and is very fast and smooth. Looks like a winner!
Cons
Summary
Easy to use
pasky2112
Pros
Easy and reliable. I used it for a few months now without issues.
Cons
I'd like to see pus (upload) as well for file backups without having to do a full sync. Otherwise, great FREE program!
Summary
A little quirky to set up -- but once set up, it easily keeps files synced
nwcunningham
Pros
Cons
Summary
not worth it
jerryhahn1
Pros
Cons
Summary
best software have ever work wit thats y MS Rush it B/C they have seen d furture
nature85
Pros
Becuase is so easy to set up
Cons
Summary
Excellent product, one "gotcha"
michael_thomas
Pros
Free, works as intended. I use this to keep data synced on my laptop and two PCs. Among other uses if you have a trusted friend or two PC's in different locations and high speed connection, it's practical to back-up vast amounts of data at no additional cost. FWIW, I've not experienced the performance problems noted in another review here.
Cons
If you have two instances of an application open on different machines, you may end up with files created by one renamed as a duplicate (this is intended and documented program behavior). If this happens, you will not lose data, but you can't merge it, either (at least not via Foldershare). The "solution" is to be careful not to allow two instances of an application on different machines to be writing data at the same time.
Summary
It's slow down my computer
russoturisto
Pros
Nice idea. Bad implementation.
Cons
Avoid it.
Summary
I never write negative reviews but this software is painful
woldage
Pros
Love the idea, and the fact its free. Not really sure it works well.
Cons
I tried to sync my iTunes music folders between computers. They are stored in different areas on the target computers, but for some reason it messed my whole library up by deleting some, moving some, etc. I am having to spend hours making sure all my music is intact and then in iTunes!
<p>
<p>It also severally hampered the day to day working of my laptop until I removed it. It did not interfere with the system until it started to sync with the other comp and then it caused disply problems and freezes.
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<p>I hate negative software reviews, but I felt I had to write this one and warn users to proceed with caution. I am an early adoptor and install lots of freeware and shareware. This is the only one which I would actually warn people from trying.
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