Syncing a folder on two Mac OSX computers

emslife · emslife #1 (**permalink**)

01-15-2011, 06:34 PM

Yes, I am new to Macs so this is most likely a newbie question (I am sorry, but I have tried searching the web with no luck). I have a MacBook Pro and the iMac that I am using for college (I have MobileMe if that helps). Is there a way to set up a folder that will sync one folder on both computers so they will always have the same files and documents? No I am not trying to do this over the Internet, but only on my local network when I am at home.

Lately I have been finding myself searching both computers for a document that I had started and can’t remember which computer has the document. I am working on different projects at the same time and it would be nice to keep everything together on both computers.

When I was using a PC, I was able to use a briefcase on a thumb drive to keep them synced, does Mac have something like this? I really don’t want to keep going back and forth with a thumb drive is why I am trying to sync the folders, but if that is the only way, then I guess that I am stuck.

Thank you for any help you can provide me in solving this problem.

Buzzard2010 · Buzzard2010 #2 (**permalink**)

01-15-2011, 07:04 PM

You could use the public folders and share files across the two computers on your network.

Mac 101: File sharing

- Simon

SBApple · SBApple #3 (**permalink**)

01-15-2011, 09:03 PM

Check out DropBox.

https://www.dropbox.com/

IvanLasston · IvanLasston #4 (**permalink**)

01-16-2011, 03:11 AM

Second vote for dropbox. Yes it is in the cloud but for document access it works quite well. Then there is no syncing - just access the document. Dropbox shows up on your sidebar like iDisk.

Another choice is a commandline program called rsync.
Geek to Live: Mirror files across systems with rsync

Buzzard2010 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2010 Location: Bakewell, UK Posts: 2,532 Mac Specs: iMac G3 800MHz :D \| PowerMac G4 \| MacBook Pro 15" 2.8GHz C2D 500GB HDD 4GB 9600M / 9600M GT 10.7.1	01-15-2011, 07:04 PM You could use the public folders and share files across the two computers on your network. Mac 101: File sharing - Simon Rest In Peace Steven Paul Jobs February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011 [aged 56] If you have been helped, don't forget to use the Reputation system just above the post to the right. May 2011 Nominated: March 2011 & April 2011
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Syncing a folder on two Mac OSX computers

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emslife #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 25, 2010 Posts: 3	01-15-2011, 06:34 PM Yes, I am new to Macs so this is most likely a newbie question (I am sorry, but I have tried searching the web with no luck). I have a MacBook Pro and the iMac that I am using for college (I have MobileMe if that helps). Is there a way to set up a folder that will sync one folder on both computers so they will always have the same files and documents? No I am not trying to do this over the Internet, but only on my local network when I am at home. Lately I have been finding myself searching both computers for a document that I had started and can’t remember which computer has the document. I am working on different projects at the same time and it would be nice to keep everything together on both computers. When I was using a PC, I was able to use a briefcase on a thumb drive to keep them synced, does Mac have something like this? I really don’t want to keep going back and forth with a thumb drive is why I am trying to sync the folders, but if that is the only way, then I guess that I am stuck. Thank you for any help you can provide me in solving this problem.
	QUOTE Thanks

IvanLasston #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 26, 2010 Location: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado Posts: 2,116 Mac Specs: 1.8 GHz i7 MBA 11" OSX 10.8.2	01-16-2011, 03:11 AM Second vote for dropbox. Yes it is in the cloud but for document access it works quite well. Then there is no syncing - just access the document. Dropbox shows up on your sidebar like iDisk. Another choice is a commandline program called rsync. Geek to Live: Mirror files across systems with rsync
	QUOTE Thanks

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