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Synchronizing Files and Data

Overview

The ability to synchronize data between multiple computers and/or devices ensures that you're always working with the most recent version of your data, no matter where you are. Windows XP and Mac OS X have taken different approaches to data synchronization. OS X allows users to synchronize Address Book contacts, iCal entries, and Safari bookmarks across mobile devices (and other personal computers if you have a paid .Mac account). XP Pro has created a method to synchronize files and folders between your computer and a network server, so that you can easily bring work home and synchronize it when you get back to work.

Mac OS X:

Apple's iSync application (located in the Applications folder) enables users to synchronize personal data such as Address Book contacts and iCal items across your handheld devices (PDAs and supported mobile phones).

While OS X does offer a built-in way to sync files, folders, and settings across computers; it requires a .Mac account which costs $99/year.

Windows XP:

XP allows you to sync both your files/folders and your contacts (via a free utility you can download from Microsoft's website).

Synchronizing Files and Folders:

XP uses a method of offline files and folders to keep items synchronized between your local computer and a network server.

Select a file or folder located on a network while in Exploreer, right-click on it, and choose "Make Available Offline". This will make a local copy of the item(s) available for you to work on whether or not you're connected to the network it's located on. When making a folder available offline, you will be asked whether you want to make contents of all its subfolders available offline also or just the root of the folder.


By default, XP automatically synchronizes your offline items with the network versions when you log on and off of your user account. This way you always have the most up-to-date versions of your files and folders. To manually synchronize items, within Explorer go to Tools > Synchronize and click 'Synchronize'.


You can also setup automatic synchronizing by clicking 'Setup'. You can have XP sync your offline items when your computer is idle or you can specify a specific time.


XP users can also download the PowerToy SyncToy from Microsoft's website. With SyncToy, you pair two folders together and define an action to be performed during the synchronization process. Available actions are:

  • Synchronize - Changes to either folder (file rename, deletions, etc.) are reflected on both sides
  • Echo - Changes to the left folder are reflected in the folder on the right
  • Subscribe - Changes to files in the right folder are copied to the left folder only if the file already exists
  • Contribute - Same as the action 'Echo' except no files are ever deleted
  • Combine - New and changes to files are reflected in both folders. Deleted or renamed files are ignored.

One nice feature of SyncToy is that you can preview changes before any files are modified. A nice little safety net to prevent accidentally overwriting or deleting files you didn't intend to.

Synchronizing Contacts, Calendars, Etc

Microsoft supplies ActiveSync as a separate downlod from their website for users wishing to synchronize e-mail, calendars, contacts, tasks, and notes to Windows Mobile devices.

Conclusion

Computer to PDA and computer to Smartphone synching is not part of XP. Even with ActiveSync, you can only sync to Windows Mobile only devices. Only OS X can natively sync contacts to PDAs and smartphones.

Mac OS X

  • Can sync Address Book contacts, iCal items, and other data across PDA's and mobile phones
  • No easy way to syncronize files and folders across computers unless you have a .Mac subscription

Windows XP

  • Can synchronize files and folders across networked computers
  • You can synchronize contacts, calendar items, e-mail, pictures, and other data to Windows Mobile devices with the download of ActiveSync from Microsoft's website
  • Can synchronize any two folders with the download of SyncToy from Microsoft's website
  • ActiveSync only supports Windows Mobile devices

Mac OS X: 4
Windows XP (Pro): 7 (9)
Windows XP (Home): 1 (7)