Workflow for notebook synchronisation

[rhickman]

Hi everyone,

I wondered if anyone might give me some tips or advice on how to make the app work with some kind of sync service. I have three systems: home, work, and mobile, and all of them run the same notebook(s). Typically at least two of these systems are on at the same time.

I have tried Dropbox and QNAP QSync for synchronising the notebooks but both have behaviour that doesn't work very well for me. Apart from Dropbox just being slow (and using 120MB of RAM...) it simply refuses to sync changes across unless I close CintaNotes and then wait for quite a while. It says the file is in use. With QNAP QSync it just claims the notebook is out of sync and has diverged from the source. I have to close CintaNotes, delete the local file and let it resync. I think it would be fine if only one device was on at a time, because the sync tool would sync the file before CintaNotes was turned on. But unless I always remember to turn CintaNotes off when I walk away from one device I will seem to hit this problem.

Has anyone got any tips or different sync tools that I might try?

Thanks!

[CintaNotes Developer]

Thanks for raising an interesting topic!
Do I assume correctly that Simplenote sync is out of the question for you?

[rhickman]

There's obviously a few features that don't work with SimpleNote - at least to my knowledge - but I could give it a try for a while and see if I can live without them. I had other crazy ideas like mounting the .db file over a VPN share but CintaNotes really doesn't like that much, and I don't really blame it.

[CintaNotes Developer]

You might also want to try Dropbox alternatives such as G-Drive, OneDrive, SpiderOak, Yandex Disk

[rhickman]

I've set up OneDrive today so I'll give that a shot and see how it goes. Otherwise I'll give SimpleNote some further investigation.

[CintaNotes Developer]

Ok, please let us know how it goes!

[rhickman]

OneDrive is a little better. As expected it blocks the sync of the remote notebook until I close CintaNotes, but once it is closed it does sync much faster. Dropbox can sit for a very long time doing nothing unless you forcibly restart it.

I wonder if having some kind of option in the app that if it is minimised to the tray with no notes open for some length of time it will actually close the notebook (but automatically reopen the file if the app is summoned back) would 'fix' the issue, or at least work around it.

While OneDrive is better the real problems again will surface if I forget to close CintaNotes and start editing on a machine that is waiting to sync. OneDrive/Dropbox do not visibly start shouting at you if they are waiting to sync a file so it needs a lot of discipline (which I don't have at 7am...). Needs more thought.

[noah2017]

There is, of course, some features that may not work with SImpleNote. Though regardless of those minor features, it's still the most useful one Ive foud

[rhickman]

I suppose the 100% foolproof way is use a memory stick instead! I already carry a secure key around my neck and CN works in a portable fashion...

[CintaNotes Developer]

You should also check if timed notebook disconnetion is enabled. It is necessary for Dropbox to sync it without having to exit CN.
Open cintanotes.settings and check the notebook.disconnect.enabled parameter.

[rhickman]

I have this in my roaming cintanotes.settings:

Code: Select all

notebook.disconnect.enabled = 1
notebook.disconnect.timeout.seconds = 30


I've concluded OneDrive is the best route for now. It still won't update while CintaNotes is open, but if I close it then OneDrive very quickly updates and doesn't sit around forever like Dropbox does. Also OneDrive seems to start faster and use less RAM.

[CintaNotes Developer]

Thanks for the update. By "CN is open" do you mean CN is running or that CN's window is visible?

[rhickman]

I use minimise to tray. I tend to use ctrl+alt+f12 to summon/hide. So the application is open, but generally I don't leave notes open and lying around unless I am working on them.

[CintaNotes Developer]

Then its strange that OneDrive can't update the file. Perhaps you could try running CN with debug logging on and send the log later to me to see if the notebook disconnect really happens. Things like backup and periodic sync can also hinder notebook disconnection.

[rhickman]

I've been away for a week, but I'll try and do this.