File synchronisation across multiple PCs

tsv · 2009-01-13 17:43:10

Hey all,

I run Arch on two PCs at home, access 3 different UNIX-based OS's at university, run a couple of Windows partitions and am quite possible getting another Linux laptop in the near future.

Now, it gets kind of annoying attempting to keep certain files synced over all of this. Primarily, I'm talking about config files (.muttrc, .vimrc, .emacs, .screenrc and a few others) as most of my programming etc. is done on one PC and I can leave all those files there.

I'm also going to be looking at syncing contacts, calendar, notes and todos from my phone once I've purchased a Bluetooth adapter, but I expect that's another story.

I'm looking for a solution, preferably a simple one, to keep all this stuff at the latest version. I've noticed Dropbox but would rather keep my data off other people's servers if it can be avoided, and Conduit, but I try to avoid apps with GNOME dependencies where I can.

So, what experiences and advice do you guys have for staying sane with this stuff?

Xyne · 2009-01-13 17:48:53

Could you run an ssh server at home or at university and sync your files to that using rsync?

Last edited by Xyne (2009-01-13 17:49:05)

Mr Green · 2009-01-13 17:53:53

Dropbox quick and easy

tsv · 2009-01-13 17:58:37

@Xyne: Hadn't seen rsync before, that looks interesting thanks. My uni does have an awful policy of blocking just about all network traffic, however, so I'm not sure how feasible it would be, but even if not I may use it across my home network.

@Mr Green; that might end up being what I have to do, still interested in any other suggestions though!

Xyne · 2009-01-13 18:17:58

I don't know if this would work, but if you want to use Dropbox without them being able to check your files, maybe you could use it in combination with EncFS.

EncFS lets you mount a directory (A) at a mountpoint (B). B looks and behaves like a normal directory but anything you put in it is encrypted and ends up in A. The encryption is done transparently and you do all your work with the files in B, even though they're actually stored in an encrypted format in A.

The idea would be to set up a Dropbox for A, and then work with the files in B. Any change made to a file in B will lead to a change in the corresponding encrypted file in A (to be technical, there are no files in B or course). Dropbox should detect this change in A (after all, the files in A are normal files on the disk) and sync them. Anyone with access to your files on the Dropbox server would only be able to see some encrypted files.

Last edited by Xyne (2009-01-13 18:19:38)

tsv · 2009-01-13 18:21:54

Hmm, that sounds like something I might have to try out of sheer curiosity if nothing else! Again, there could be issues at university with not having permissions to mount, but I'll definitely look into it, thanks

fumbles · 2009-01-14 00:26:52

Couldn't you use some sort of revision control system? that way you'll have backup if somethign goes wrong...

Arch Linux

#1 2009-01-13 17:43:10

File synchronisation across multiple PCs

#2 2009-01-13 17:48:53

Re: File synchronisation across multiple PCs

#3 2009-01-13 17:53:53

Re: File synchronisation across multiple PCs

#4 2009-01-13 17:58:37

Re: File synchronisation across multiple PCs

#5 2009-01-13 18:17:58

Re: File synchronisation across multiple PCs

#6 2009-01-13 18:21:54

Re: File synchronisation across multiple PCs

#7 2009-01-14 00:26:52

Re: File synchronisation across multiple PCs

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