Synchronization between multiple desktops
I found a similar suggestion was made but closed as being too vague. Sorry I too am vague -- but I do not know how the feature I would like should be implemented as I don't know what is available. I can only describe problem and hope it makes sense to solve it?
I use the 'same' tasklist file on on three Windows PCs - two desktop machines and one netbook. I tried using one copy on USB stick but I do not have ready access to USB ports on one of the machines, making that method difficult.
My problem is keeping all three copies updated with each other? I am the only one that uses them so only one file is updated at any given time.
Many thoughts come to mind on how this might be solved, but I do not know what all the possibilities are or what would really be best way? My thoughts:
Task Coach work with the file over FTP link, perhaps make local copy but always saving/storing to FTP server as central copy
Task Coach work with the file over HTTP (or HTTPS) link - same idea, make local copy but save/store always on website
Task Coach works locally but has ability to email/FTP/store on web a copy of the file upon user local command
Task Coach have ability to two-way sync to another Task Coach file, user manually syncs files to each other (needs two-way and sync at individual task level and other items like categories)
All have pro and con, none are perfect, there are probably many more ideas besides these on how to solve?
Preferred for me is a central storage method of some type (web, FTP, UNC network path). TC starts with copy from central and saves to central copy, even if must work with local files in the interim. Central storage is always updated and is always final version of fiels. Obvious issues are, what to do if TC cannot connect, does TC allow offline use and sync later, etc.
Taskcoach to copy to local from some central storage (web, FTP, UNC path), and when closed or commanded, is to update central files. Very similar to first but user controls when/if central is updated instead of always trying to keep central up-to-date.
Two-way sync at Task and other reasonably low granularity of objects, with another set of TC files. This catch most sync situations except when PC clock is wrong (wrong sync object is seen as newer), and when same sync object was updated in both places (task, category, note, etc.), the changes of the oldest one will be lost. Depending on how low the granularity of the sync objects, the risk of data loss can be reduced to manageable levels.
All of the above considers only a single user (me) wanting to keep many copies of TC identical with each other. I see there is a request to consider multi-user updating of central copy. If that request is approved and receives a solution, that solution could very well resolve this request at the time.
Thank you for your consideration of this feature request.
This is functionally a duplicate of the most popular request:
http://taskcoach.uservoice.com/forums/26465-desktop-version-windows-linux-mac-of-task-coach/suggestions/288999-enable-multi-user-task-management-
That request is already underway. Multi-user in this case could be multiple desktops run by the same person.
As development continues, the feature can be tested from the prerelease:
http://www.fraca7.net/TaskCoach-packages/latest_features.py
Otherwise, any cloud service can already work with the current full release, you just can’t have more than one desktop using the file at the same time. So DropBox or Ubuntu One etc. are all you need. Or for the most control, run your own server with OwnCloud (http://owncloud.org/)
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AdminJérôme Laheurte (Admin, Task Coach) commented
Actually in the scenario you describe, Dropbox will detect a conflict and save both versions (one rename to <original name>.conflicted or something), so you won't loose data.
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dave bigsby commented
Thanks, Jerome!
Another issue (potential -- I haven't hit it yet) with the Dropbox/*.TSK solution is that if I get my local TSK files out of sync, then I'll lose data.
Use case:
- I add task "A" via my (online) PC; it gets sync'ed to Dropbox
- I use my Mac offline -- I won't see task "A", but I add task "B"
- The next time I use either computer online, I'll lose one of my new tasksWhat would be ideal would be task-level syncing, which isn't possible via a shared TSK file on Dropbox. A web site & service would be ideal for this.
And I'd gladly pay to hook my 3 Task Coaches up to such a service!
BTW, www.taskcoach.com appears to be available...
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AdminJérôme Laheurte (Admin, Task Coach) commented
The lock exists precisely so you don't open the same file in several instances (that's bad). Strange that the yes/no buttons don't work though; I'll see if I can reproduce that.
The iPhone version does not use the same file format. I'm currently revamping the UI and the sync process; it should be faster in the next version.
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dave bigsby commented
I've just linked up my Mac, PC, and iPhone using DropBox (for Mac & PC) and Bonjour for Windows (for PC and iPhone), which works well.... with two reservations:
First, if I have Task Coach open on my PC and I try to open it on my Mac, Task Coach hangs when it asks "break the lock?" -- I can't click yes or no, I have to kill the Task Coach process.
Second, the iPhone to PC sync is a bit of a pain -- my PC has to be on, I have to remember to do it, and it takes 20 seconds with just a few tasks. I have DropBox on my iPhone -- can Task Coach access its data file that way?
But, all in all, I'm happy that I can use it on multiple devices. Thanks for making that possible!
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cornopean commented
wouldn't a sync with google tasks feature resolve this issue?
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Bigfoot commented
Suggestion to use Dropbox is right - but fails when trying to sync home and work PC where work is in an Enterprise environment which does not allow to connect with Dropbox or to install the Dropbox client software. A sync over HTTP(S) would be no problem, but any propritary cloud service client is a problem.
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takanobu commented
I agree for daniele. Just use with Dropbox,install TaskCoach and *.tsk file to DropBox then anywhere you can sync it. But Now TaskCoach find *.tsk file by absolute path.I think if use relation path for it. Best!
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daniele commented
....I mean (with my previous post) that in my opinion it is no necessary to add the feature "Synchronization between multiple desktops" to Task Coach..it is already provided by a gorgeous free "application", i.e. dropbox
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AdminJérôme Laheurte (Admin, Task Coach) commented
This would be the same as "Enable multi-user Task Management " (http://uservoice.com/a/mDgyX). We plan to support this in the future.
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Nerdie commented
Wow now this would be useful!
My husband and I each have a computer and we're in a home network. If we both install Task Coach, we each have an individual task list... how could we synchronize?
Of course it's otherwise practically to be able to have our own, personal settings of Task Coach. So a network install wouldn't be the solution here, would it? Because then, there's only one ini file with settings...
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appyface commented
Thank you Gary for your suggestion. I already have paid stable storage accounts at S3 and other providers, and use those for shuttling my many files around.
My request here wasn't meant to take in all the manual and outside-of-TaskCoach methods for shuttling files around, though. My intent is to request that TaskCoach be enhanced to take over and directly automate as much of these manual processes as possible. And to be able to configure TaskCoach to interact with any of the several common connection methods (UNC path, FTP, HTTPS, etc.) where the "master" repository or file may be kept.
I hope I have helped clarify my request for TaskCoach. Thank you,
--appyface -
Gary Strohm commented
You should consider using Task Coach Portable and dropbox.
https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTIwODU0MDk
I do this, and can seamlessly use TC from 5 computers!
It is really a great, 2G free, solution.