Synchronize files between desktops and laptops.Q. I use a desktop computer in my office and a lightweight laptop when I travel on business. It takes 30 minutes or so to synchronize files between the two machines, so I'm always afraid I'll end up with a file that is not current. Is there some convenient way to automate the process? A. You have several options. Windows' built-in Briefcase feature (see icon at right) is designed to synchronize and update the files on each machine when you connect the two computers with a USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. cable or use a removable disk A disk or disk cartridge that is inserted into the drive for reading and writing and removed when not required. Using optical technologies, CDs and DVDs are the most common examples. to transport Briefcase from your desktop to your laptop. For more information go to http://support.microsoft.com/default. aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307885. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More robust programs are available from third-party vendors. One of the more popular, Laplink Gold (www. laplink.com), sells for $99.95; Save-N-Synch (www.peer-software.com) costs $30; and ViceVersa offers a basic version for $29.95 and a pro version for $59.95. You can go to the vendors' Web sites and download fully functional evaluation copies at no cost. My favorite My Favorite is an independent synthpop band from Long Island, New York. They released two CDs: Love at Absolute Zero and Happiest Days of Our Lives. My Favorite broke up on September 14, 2005, when singer Andrea Vaughn left the band. synchronization (1) See synchronous and synchronous transmission. (2) Ensuring that two sets of data are always the same. See data synchronization. (3) Keeping time-of-day clocks in two devices set to the same time. See NTP. product, though, is Migo (www.4migo. com). It offers automatic synchronization and storage in a convenient package. It's a thumb-size flash drive that you can easily carry on a keychain. When you connect it to a computer via a USB cable, it monitors the files of which you want to ensure you have the most current versions. Migo comes in several configurations: A 2-gigabyte model sells for $429.95, 1-Gb for $334.95, 512-megabyte for $229.95 and 256-Mb for $139.95. There's even the Migo wristwatch, which has a 512-Mg capacity and sells for $229.95. STANLEY ZAROWIN, a former Jof A senior editor, is now a contributing editor A contributing editor is a magazine job title that varies in responsibilities. Most often, a contributing editor is a freelancer who has proven ability and readership draw. to the magazine. His e-mail address See Internet address. e-mail address - electronic mail address is zarowin@mindspring.com. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion