Synchronise 2 Laptop and Desktop with Unison Free Synchronization Software

I have a laptop and a desktop, and one of the problems that I faced was to get my files synchronized. I work on my desktop while I’m at home, and on the go, I rely on my laptop. However, I need my files to be the same on both laptop and desktop.

In the past I used to do a manual sync with rsync, but now I’ve just discovered Unison and it solves the pain of synchronization, because unlike rsync, Unison works both ways. With Unison, I can set it so that any files that I change on my laptop will get synchronized with my desktop, and vice versa.

I don’t use this feature, but Unison has versions for the Linux and Mac platforms as well, and allows you to synchronize with different OS-es. So if you’re using a Mac desktop and have a windows laptop, and work with Linux at your workplace — no problems!

The great thing about Unison that it can work over SSH too, so you don’t have to be physically near your other computer — you can be lounging at Starbucks with your laptop, and synchronise your files over the public Wi-Fi connection.

And just in case you might have different synchronization needs from time to time, don’t worry, because Unison also has support for profiles. These syn allow you to create configuration files that can set preferences on different directories and files. Comprehensive documentation on profiles is available on the Web site.

All in all, Unison can be extremely useful and quite powerful. It doesn’t take the blind-sync approach by default, but allows you to determine what files to sync, if any, and in what direction. Using profiles, you can largely automate things to suit your situation.

Click here for the official Unison website.

Subscribe to my blog: RSS reader    Email

Why Backing Up Your Information and Data is so Important

I just talked to a friend and found out that he survived a HDD crash. Luckily he got his data back, but we should always backup, especially since information/data is so critical to us. You don’t think so? Imagine if you lost all your photographs, all your contacts, all your documents, etc — that’s how important backing up your information/data is.

Here are 3 simple ways of backup, all of which can be bought from any computer store:

1. External HDD (Most common)

Pros: cheapest option, portable
Cons: Need to be committed to perform regular backups since it’s a manual process

2. Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Pros: Quite expensive (about USD $200)
Cons: Not portable, requires a power source

This one is probably the best, especially if you do synchronisation regularly. Can be as regularly as hourly backups.

3. Cheap Computer (Alternative to NAS)

On top of as a network backup, you can use it for simple tasks like web surfing or word processing, or as a server, etc. But power usage is higher than a NAS and the wear-and-tear is higher.

Subscribe to my blog: RSS reader    Email

The Dangers of Using Public Computers, Internet Cafes and Kiosks

I don’t think it can be stressed enough. Public computers (these are computers on which anyone other than yourself can access) are DANGEROUS. You should never use these computers to access any private information. This means you shouldn’t type in any passwords or sensitive information using these computers.

This is simply because you don’t know what’s been installed on them. Internet cafes, internet kiosks at hotels and airports and other public places often provide you with computers, but you won’t know if there are malicious software installed on them.

You just need to use one computer that is infected with Trojans and keyloggers, and your sensitive information will be collected and transmitted to criminals.

The lesson is: Only access sensitive and financial information using a computer you trust.

Subscribe to my blog: RSS reader    Email