FAQ - Autosync

1. How does Memeo AutoSync work?

With Memeo AutoSync, a user “pairs” two folders on a PC, laptop, USB flash drive, portable hard drive, iPod, NAS, or some other device. All the files and subfolders in those two folders are copied to the other folder. For example, in the case where you have five files in folder A and none in folder B, the five files in folder A are copied to folder B. In the case where you have five files in folder A and six in folder B, five files will be copied from folder A to folder B and six files will be copied from folder B to folder A leaving eleven identical files in each folder.

During a first-time sync, files with newer timestamps will override older files. With subsequent syncs, Memeo AutoSync will automatically keep track of file changes and copy those new or modified files to the other folder.

During subsequent syncs, Memeo AutoSync will override a file *only* if it is safe. Memeo AutoSync will consider a sync to be unsafe if a file has been modified on both locations since the last sync. In such cases, AutoSync will make a copy of the file using a different name.

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2. How do you expect people to use Memeo AutoSync?

Our small business customers will use Memeo AutoSync to ensure they always have their latest business files with them. For example, a business user would create a sync plan to copy their latest files from their work PC to a USB flash drive. Before they leave the office, they plug in their USB flash drive and automatically copy their most recent work files to the USB flash drive (only new or modified files are copied). When they get home, they plug their USB flash drive into their home PC and the latest files are copied to their home PC (where they have a separate sync plan set up to sync files from the USB flash drive to their home PC). As they make changes to the files on their home PC, those changes are automatically copied back to the USB flash drive (allowing our users to synchronize their files back to the work PC when they return to the office).

For our customers with lots of digital photos and music across several PCs in their home, Memeo AutoSync will allow them to consistently synchronize music and photos across their home PCs. Our users set up a sync plan between two folders on two separate PCs connected via a home LAN. During the initial sync, files are copied in both directions to create a consolidated library of music on both PCs. When new music is downloaded to either PC, the song are immediately copied to the other folder to ensure that a users music library is constantly kept in sync across their home PCs.

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3. What is a sync plan?

A "Sync Plan" contains a set of rules that determine how a pair of folders will be synchronized. When you create a sync plan, you specify where the two folders are located (e.g., a folder on your computer and a folder on a USB flash drive). Memeo AutoSync will then synchronize the contents of one folder with the contents of the other folder.

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4. How do I create a sync plan?

To create a sync plan:

• Click the “Create Sync Plan” option on the left side of the Memeo AutoSync main application window.
  
  When the Welcome screen appears, click “Next” to continue.
  
  On the Select a Pair of Folders screen, specify the pair of folders (e.g., a folder on your PC and a folder on your USB flash drive) that Memeo AutoSync will synchronize. Use the “Browse” button/s to quickly locate the folders.
  
  Click “Next” to continue. Memeo AutoSync will scan the folders.
  
  On the Confirm Selections screen, you will see each folder's number of files as well as size. To change a folder, click “Back”. To confirm the folders, click “Next”.
  
  In the Enter Sync Plan Name text box, enter a unique name or description that identifies the sync plan, and then click “Next”.
  
  When the Memeo AutoSync Configuration Wizard notifies you that your sync plan was successfully set up, click “Done”.

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5. What destinations can I sync between?

Memeo AutoSync lets you synchronize between the folders on your computers either directly over a LAN or remotely using a removable storage devices such as a USB keychain drives, portable hard drives, network drives, iPods, and more.

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6. How do I tell my system to sync files when I have created a new file or modified an existing one?

Memeo AutoSync works automatically. The software tracks new or modified files and will immediately sync them to the other folder when the changes are made. There is no need for manual or scheduled syncing.

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7. What happens if one of my sync folders is not available (e.g., my USB flash drive is not plugged in) and I make a change to a file that is in my sync plan?

Memeo AutoSync keeps track of all the files that have changed or been created that match your sync plan. And, whenever you insert your device or reconnect to your network folder, new and updated fields are automatically copied both directions.

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8. How do you handle potential sync conflicts (same file modified separately in two different locations)?

Memeo AutoSync will override a file *only* if it is safe. Memeo AutoSync will consider a sync to be unsafe if a file has been modified on both locations since the last sync. In such cases, AutoSync will make a copy of the file using a different name.

For example, if file FileA is a conflicted file, Memeo AutoSync will rename the older FileA to be “FileA (1)”. The number between the parentheses will be incremented if there is already a file called “FileA (1)”. You will then need to manually resolve this situation by manually merging the two files, deleting the duplicate, and syncing again.

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9. How do you handle renames and deletes?

Renames and deletes of folders and documents on either side are repeated on the other. If you delete a file in folder A, it will be deleted in folder B. If you rename a file in folder B, it will be renamed in folder A.

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10. What files are excluded in sync plan?

By default, AutoSync excludes system, temporary and hidden files and directories.

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11. Can I choose what files to include or exclude in my sync plan?

In this version of AutoSync, custom rules are not supported.

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12. Can I set up multiple sync plans?

You can create as many sync plans as you like. For example, you can set up a sync plan to synchronize your work files between a work PC and a USB flash drive so you can always have your latest work files with you. Or, you can create a sync plan that synchronizes the latest music across your PCs on your home LAN. You can also set up another sync plan to make sure your favorite photos are always updated on your computer.

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13.Why do counters on AutoSync different than counters in folders’ properties?

Memeo AutoSync don’t counts hidden files that are used by the folders on a computer.

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14. What are the system requirements for AutoSync?
You can install Memeo AutoSync on a computer running the following operating systems:

Windows XP Home Edition

Windows XP Professional Edition

Windows 2000 Workstation with Service Pack 4 installed

The following are also recommended:

1GHz Intel P3 processor or equivalent

512MB RAM 

20MG free disk space

AutoSync 2.5 requires Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0. (If you don't have it on your system, Memeo AutoSync will install it for you.)

Required software for .NET 2.0:

Windows Installer 3.0. Windows Installer 3.1 or later is recommended.

IE 5.01 or later: You must also be running Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later for all installations of the .NET Framework.

Disk Space Requirements for .NET 2.0: 280 MB (x86), 610 MB (x64)

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15. Do I need Administrator privilege to install and run AutoSync?

You must have Administrator privileges on the computer on which you are installing Memeo AutoSync. Only user accounts with Administrator privileges can use Memeo AutoSync.

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