TweetFollow Us on Twitter

July 02 KoolTools

Volume Number: 18 (2002)
Issue Number: 07
Column Tag: KoolTools

by Michael Harvey

ChronoSync

ChronoSync is a file synchronization utility that lets the user backup, save, and synchronize files to local or network locations, and schedule these functions to run at specified times. Bet you couldn’t figure that out from reading the name.

ChronoSync’s documentation is provided through the Help Center. It is complete, and easy to use. The manual can be read through, beginning to end, to learn all the details of the program, or searched to find specific information. Additionally, ChronoSync makes use of Tool Tips throughout the application to make identifying various buttons and elements of the program easier.

Synchronization settings are established in documents, which are the main windows of the program. On launch, you will be presented with a new, untitled, document. In preferences is the option to disable this feature. The main window presents you with a toolbar displaying buttons that activate the main functions of the program, and three tabs. Hanging off the right side of the window is a drawer called the Options Drawer. Additional setup options are listed here which are specific to each tab. This can be opened or closed from the Actions menu.

The first tab is Target. The Target tab is where you set the local and remote folders you want synchronized. The options drawer here lets you set the synchronizing direction, and the kind of file system on the target and remote disks.

ChronoSync also supports drag and drop set up of target folders. From the Finder, just drag a target disk onto the document window, and drop it there. The application will then display the path of the folder you just dropped on to it. In fact, dragging works throughout the program. Within the Rules tab, for example, dragging a file onto the window will have it’s attributes copied into whatever fields are selected at that moment, much like dragging a file onto the search window of Sherlock does.

Once targets are established, you are then able to determine rules to apply to your synchronizations. Out of the gate, the simple rules are easily configured, and will be more than enough for most users. Intermediate rules settings allow for very fine definitions for what to include in a synchronization. Advanced settings allow the same specific control over inclusion, just like the intermediate settings, but also allow the user to set exclusion criteria, as well. The Option Drawer for this tab holds the radio buttons to change between basic, intermediate, and advanced rules displays.

The third tab in the document is Analyze. From here, you can compare files at the local and remote locations, see their synchronization status, and what is excluded. You can also set exclusions. Highlighting an item and clicking on the Exclude button will put an X between the local and remote files, indicating it will passed over during all subsequent synchronizations. The options drawer for Analyze displays the synchronization direction, the same as is displayed under the Target tab. The rest of the drawer is given over to Special Handling choices. One of the more significant choices is verbose logging. This one is, by default, unchecked, but should be, as the basic logging does not list specific errors when they crop up during scheduled runs.

Once all your settings are established, you are ready to synchronize your files. You can do this manually, simply by clicking on the Synchronize button in the document, or by scheduling it. From the Actions menu select Add to Schedule. The presented dialog lets you schedule when ChronoSync will run the document with great detail. You can also choose to run the schedule at application launch or quit. The last item in the Actions menu will be either Resume of Suspend Scheduler, which oddly enough, starts or stops scheduled documents from running. Show Scheduler from the View menu will display a list of all the scheduled documents.


Running schedules over the network is simple. The first time a schedule runs, and the network volume is not available, you will be given the option to allow ChronoSync to access log in information from the Keychain. You can allow access once only, or always. If always is selected, the volume will automatically be mounted on all subsequent runs of the scheduled document.

ChronoSync falls short in only one area. It does not run as a daemon or faceless background application. If the program were to run scheduled tasks in the background, providing only enough information on screen to let the user know it’s working, it would be far more ideal.

This is a fairly minor quibble, though, and overall the program is very capable. It lacks a few of the bells and whistles of some of it’s competitors, but that is to it’s advantage. ChronoSync is a small, focused application that does it’s job well. And, at $19.95, it is much less expensive than some of those competitors. ChronoSync is Mac OS X only shareware available directly from Econ Technologies, Inc..

http://www.econtechnologies.com/


Michael R. Harvey
 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Six fantastic ways to spend National Vid...
As if anyone needed an excuse to play games today, I am about to give you one: it is National Video Games Day. A day for us to play games, like we no doubt do every day. Let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. Instead, feast your eyes on this... | Read more »
Old School RuneScape players turn out in...
The sheer leap in technological advancements in our lifetime has been mind-blowing. We went from Commodore 64s to VR glasses in what feels like a heartbeat, but more importantly, the internet. It can be a dark mess, but it also brought hundreds of... | Read more »
Today's Best Mobile Game Discounts...
Every day, we pick out a curated list of the best mobile discounts on the App Store and post them here. This list won't be comprehensive, but it every game on it is recommended. Feel free to check out the coverage we did on them in the links below... | Read more »
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's...
Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that Nintendo has been locked in an epic battle with Pocketpair, creator of the obvious Pokémon rip-off Palworld. Nintendo often resorts to legal retaliation at the drop of a hat, but it seems this... | Read more »
Apple exclusive mobile games don’t make...
If you are a gamer on phones, no doubt you have been as distressed as I am on one huge sticking point: exclusivity. For years, Xbox and PlayStation have done battle, and before this was the Sega Genesis and the Nintendo NES. On console, it makes... | Read more »
Regionally exclusive events make no sens...
Last week, over on our sister site AppSpy, I babbled excitedly about the Pokémon GO Safari Days event. You can get nine Eevees with an explorer hat per day. Or, can you? Specifically, you, reader. Do you have the time or funds to possibly fly for... | Read more »
As Jon Bellamy defends his choice to can...
Back in March, Jagex announced the appointment of a new CEO, Jon Bellamy. Mr Bellamy then decided to almost immediately paint a huge target on his back by cancelling the Runescapes Pride event. This led to widespread condemnation about his perceived... | Read more »
Marvel Contest of Champions adds two mor...
When I saw the latest two Marvel Contest of Champions characters, I scoffed. Mr Knight and Silver Samurai, thought I, they are running out of good choices. Then I realised no, I was being far too cynical. This is one of the things that games do best... | Read more »
Grass is green, and water is wet: Pokémo...
It must be a day that ends in Y, because Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has kicked off its Zoroark Drop Event. Here you can get a promo version of another card, and look forward to the next Wonder Pick Event and the next Mass Outbreak that will be... | Read more »
Enter the Gungeon review
It took me a minute to get around to reviewing this game for a couple of very good reasons. The first is that Enter the Gungeon's style of roguelike bullet-hell action is teetering on the edge of being straight-up malicious, which made getting... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Take $150 off every Apple 11-inch M3 iPad Air
Amazon is offering a $150 discount on 11-inch M3 WiFi iPad Airs right now. Shipping is free: – 11″ 128GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $449, $150 off – 11″ 256GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $549, $150 off – 11″ 512GB M3... Read more
Apple iPad minis back on sale for $100 off MS...
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple’s newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we... Read more
Apple’s 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros are on sa...
Amazon has 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $410 off Apple’s MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party... Read more
Red Pocket Mobile is offering a $150 rebate o...
Red Pocket Mobile has new Apple iPhone 17’s on sale for $150 off MSRP when you switch and open up a new line of service. Red Pocket Mobile is a nationwide MVNO using all the major wireless carrier... Read more
Switch to Verizon, and get any iPhone 16 for...
With yesterday’s introduction of the new iPhone 17 models, Verizon responded by running “on us” promos across much of the iPhone 16 lineup: iPhone 16 and 16 Plus show as $0/mo for 36 months with bill... Read more
Here is a summary of the new features in Appl...
Apple’s September 2025 event introduced major updates across its most popular product lines, focusing on health, performance, and design breakthroughs. The AirPods Pro 3 now feature best-in-class... Read more
Apple’s Smartphone Lineup Could Use A Touch o...
COMMENTARY – Whatever happened to the old adage, “less is more”? Apple’s smartphone lineup. — which is due for its annual refresh either this month or next (possibly at an Apple Event on September 9... Read more
Take $50 off every 11th-generation A16 WiFi i...
Amazon has Apple’s 11th-generation A16 WiFi iPads in stock on sale for $50 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free: – 11″ 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP – 11″ 11th-generation 256GB... Read more
Sunday Sale: 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros for up t...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has Apple’s 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $220 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather... Read more
Mac mini with M4 Pro CPU back on sale for $12...
B&H Photo has Apple’s Mac mini with the M4 Pro CPU back on sale for $1259, $140 off MSRP. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – Mac mini M4 Pro CPU (24GB/512GB): $1259, $... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.