If anyone has taken a look at the syncing options for the Mac, you have definitely come across Chronosync. Recently updated to 4.0, Chronosync promises faster, more reliable connections, with a lot more customisation options.
Version 4.0 is as much as three times faster than ChronoSync 3, gives you the ability to create bootable backups, has several new options and features, and is able to connect to ChronoAgent. Click here for ChronoSync’s release notes, detailing many of the new features. - Press Release.
We’ve been working with the developers during the beta, and here’s my review.
Chronosync features a pleasant user interface, that is intuitive and friendly. Even a new user will feel right at home. Options are clearly marked, and instructions are clearly mentioned. Of course, looking at the options you know that there’s a lot under the hood, which is excellent news. Everything of course is clearly explained in plain english, so a novice will be able to wade through those options with ease.
The front pane shows you a left target and a right target. Each of these can be any folder, hard drive, or remote computer set up in the connections. You can then back up left to right, or the other way round. Of course, you aren’t really backing up as much as synchronising.
The Syncing
All that user interface will be useless if the application doesn’t sync properly. Thankfully, the sync is nothing short of amazing. For starters, you can click on the trial sync and it will tell you what files are going to move across to which location. The sync will then update both the locations with the most current versions of the files. You can synchronise deletions as well as archive files that are going to be replaced.
You can of course fine tune your synchronization preferences. The options tab is loaded with archiving options, error notifications, file handling, and you can even email yourself the details after the sync is done or an error has taken place.
The Analysis tab shows you a list of files on both locations. Clicking it shows you individual details about the date modified, file permissions, all of which is very easy to understand.
In my tests I synced my iDisk folder with a local folder. I also synced the documents folder on my iMac with the documents folder on the MacBook. Both worked perfectly and on first go. I even synced a folder with the PC on the network.
There is no support for an internet based syncing, as both computers have to be on the network. That would have been really helpful considering most of the times I just want to sync up my documents folder and the files are light. Of course, for that the whole setup will need a server backend, which would raise costs.
ChronoAgent
A new tool (purchased separately) introduced to go alongside Chronosync, ChronoAgent gives you full admin rights to a remote machine. The connection is direct and allows full access to the root of the drive. I didn’t try this feature so I can’t say how well it works.
Who is it for?
Chronosync is for those who mainly work on a desktop, but also want their info up to date on the notebook. Something like an iMac and a MacBook Air combo would work perfectly for this setup. Of course, it will also work for larger systems which involve a whole bunch of macs, just two notebooks, or your family PC with your Mac. The user interface is very simple to work with and the support is also very quick at helping out.
Chronosync costs $40 for a single license, but is a free upgrade for previous users. ChronoAgent on the other hand costs $10 for a single user license. The only flaw in this whole thing is you need a separate license for every Mac you install Chronosync or ChronoAgent on, which means you will have to spend at least $80 to make the whole exercise useful. You can download the feature-limited demo to see whether Chronosync is your kind of app.
