"Cloud" based file synch / backup?

Posted by: larry818

"Cloud" based file synch / backup? - 29/06/2013 23:11

Hi, I have yet another q...

I'm looking for an online file synch / storage service like dropbox or box.com, but I want the synched files to be under c:/user. Unfortunately, both of those services require that the synched directory be on the desktop with the associated 100 character long path. I already have, occasionally, problems with path length.

So, since the files I deal with are large, I can't go with an all-online service like google docs. I need all the files stored locally and automatically uploaded to the service when they are created or changed. Also, I have a couple of engineers working with me and those files need to be automatically updated on their drives as well.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?

Thanks!
Posted by: robricc

Re: "Cloud" based file synch / backup? - 29/06/2013 23:45

aerofs sounds like it might be the thing, but I have no experience with it. I've been on the waiting list for months.
Posted by: Shonky

Re: "Cloud" based file synch / backup? - 30/06/2013 00:22

You can move the Dropbox path wherever you like. Dropbox doesn't default to the Desktop either. It's normal location on a regular Windows 7 machine is "C:\Users\<username>\Dropbox"

I have another machine (carpc) with an entire drive D:\ as the Dropbox store (selectively taking parts of the above Dropbox store)
Posted by: Shonky

Re: "Cloud" based file synch / backup? - 30/06/2013 02:42

Originally Posted By: robricc
aerofs sounds like it might be the thing, but I have no experience with it. I've been on the waiting list for months.

This interests me actually. I'd prefer to not have the dependency on a cloud and be able to run this on my NAS.

Waiting list? You can sign up and download now. Does it not work?
Posted by: robricc

Re: "Cloud" based file synch / backup? - 30/06/2013 12:04

Originally Posted By: Shonky
Waiting list? You can sign up and download now. Does it not work?

That's weird. I was on a waiting list for an invite. It seems it may be open now. It would have been nice if they notified me.
Posted by: drakino

Re: "Cloud" based file synch / backup? - 30/06/2013 17:49

If you want good sync between computers, without the cloud piece in the middle acting as another copy, try btsync.

I've been very impressed with it so far. Can always stash a cloud copy on an Amazon EC2 instance or similar if that part is needed too.
Posted by: Dignan

Re: "Cloud" based file synch / backup? - 30/06/2013 19:46

Originally Posted By: larry818
So, since the files I deal with are large, I can't go with an all-online service like google docs.

I think Rob's suggestion is the most appropriate, so I'll just mention two things.

First, Google Docs is called Google Drive now, and it's not all-online. It can have that option, but it can also work entirely like Dropbox if you want it to.

Second, as others have mentioned, your Dropbox folder can be anywhere you want it to be located. Going even further, you don't even have to move the Dropbox folder. In the past I've used symbolic links in Windows to make Dropbox back up folders that weren't really located in the Dropbox folder. You could then create a folder in your root C: drive and make Dropbox think it's also located inside it's own folder. That should get around the character length limit...
Posted by: Shonky

Re: "Cloud" based file synch / backup? - 01/07/2013 01:18

Originally Posted By: robricc
Originally Posted By: Shonky
Waiting list? You can sign up and download now. Does it not work?

That's weird. I was on a waiting list for an invite. It seems it may be open now. It would have been nice if they notified me.

I installed it and it's up and running. Not sure I'll continue to use it, but I like it. Dropbox does work fairly well for me though and I do have a large chunk of space which I don't have to pay for (about 18GB now plus 50GB worth of SGS III bonus).