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How do I manually keep two copies of my database in sync?

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First published by:
Troy Wolbrink
on 29 Sep 2008
Last revision by:
Troy Wolbrink
on 29 Sep 2008
2 people found this article useful.

100% of people found this useful
How do I manually keep two copies of my database in sync?

How do I manually keep two copies of my database in sync?

Let's say you normally keep your database on your home computer and that you're going on a support trip and you want to take your laptop with you.  You could transfer your database to your laptop and go on your support trip.  Then when you return, you could transfer your database back to your home computer (copying the database over the one that is already there).  This way you could work with TntMPD on your support trip and keep any updates you made.

A husband and wife team could also employ a strategy like this.  One of the spouse's computer could be designated the host of the "main database".  This main database would be the only one where changes are made.  This database could be periodically copied to the other spouse's computer.  This copy could be considered "read only".  Any changes to be made would have to be made to the spouse hosting the main database, and then again copied to the other spouse's computer.  This arrangement has the added benefit of always keeping a backup copy of the database on another computer.  If the main computer crashes, the other computer could pick up where the main computer left off.

Recent Comments

By: krissymartin57 Posted on 26 Nov 2008 2:27 PM

My husband is a computer programmer and I just asked him the same question.  He told me about this free software/internet program to keep things in sync between 2 or more computers via a web server space.  It's called "dropbox".  The website is www.getdropbox.com.  You should check it out!  Now I have the file on both computers and whenever I update it on one, it automatically syncs with the file on the web and then will sync with the othr computer when it is turned on - so I always have the same database on both computers without having to copy files back and forth!  Now I can take my laptop on my fundraising trip next week and don't have to worry about copying files when I get back, or even keeping the file on a jump drive or zip drive to share!

By: Paul & Donna Newman Posted on 25 Jun 2009 1:18 PM

Has anybody tried this "dropbox" program as a method to help with a husband and wife who have separate laptops?  Are there any security issues with puting this on the web?

By: Ben & Ang Posted on 18 Nov 2009 8:50 PM

We just got laptop #2 ... we use dropbox for a lot of things but I do think it is pretty insecure. The files are all stored locally on the hard drive so if someone steals (or you lose) your computer, gonzo. So there are security issues with putting this on the web. I'd like to hear a better (more secure, but just as simple ... and free) solution too (not that I'm expecting too much :).

By: jsschrstrcks1 Posted on 1 Dec 2010 12:06 AM

I've been using dropbox successfully to sync between my desktop and laptop.

However as with anything if security is an issue, then make sure you use something like true crypt (http://www.truecrypt.org/) to secure your date on the cloud. One can create a virtual hard drive, hosted on the cloud, mounted locally by truecrypt, without your password, the virtual drive looks like any other random file. with your password + true crypt installation, then you would be able to access your file.

theoretically, one going to a creative access country could set this up using truecrypt + dropbox, upload the sensitive files into your encrypted virtual drive, uninstall both programs, and delete the copy located on the laptop you'll be taking with you to the sensitive location, and after arriving, you could re-install both truecrypt, and dropbox, and have all of your data again - delivered through encryption.

Its on the technical side of things, but your ministries IT staff can help you if this level of security is something you will need.

If you are looking to sign up for dropbox, and use the following link - both you and I will get an extra 250mb.

www.dropbox.com/.../NTE0NTEzMjEyOQ

thanks!