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Should I use Dropbox or Google Drive to sync my database between computers?

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First published by:
Troy Wolbrink
on 21 May 2010
Last revision by:
Troy Wolbrink
on 22 Aug 2018
45 people found this article useful.

97% of people found this useful
Should I use Dropbox or Google Drive to sync my database between computers?

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Dropbox is a free web-based service that provides up to 2 GB of data storage, and it works with both Macs and PCs.  Dropbox will not only help you synchronize your database between computers, it will maintain a safe and secure web-based backup, in case your laptop is ever lost, stolen or damaged.

Many services, like Google Drive are not a safe option for TntMPD, because if two computers both open the TntMPD database at the same time, the last person to close TntMPD would simply overwrite any changes made by the other.  One person's changes might simply disappear!  Therefore I haven't felt comfortable using a service like this for my data.  But Dropbox is safe because it handles conflicts like this differently by creating  a "conflicted copy" of the database.  This conflicted copy will be detected by TntMPD 3.0 and you'll be prompted to automatically synchronize any changes that didn't get saved in the main file.

Learn more:  How can I share my database with my spouse over Dropbox?

Recent Comments

By: Troy Wolbrink Posted on 25 Apr 2012 4:56 PM

It's not Dropbox exclusive.  "Dropbox Mode" is just an easy to describe nickname for the setting.

Although I am fond of Dropbox because if TntMPD's Dropbox Mode fails, and if both people make changes, Dropbox creaes a copy of the database that doesn't win the sync conflict, so that you can reconcile it later w/ TntSync.

By: KristinBorski Posted on 22 May 2013 10:13 PM

I saved my TNT database to dropbox from my windows OS.  When I try to open it in my mac, it says "there is not a windows program configured to open this file".  How can I save this to open it both on my mac and pc?

By: Troy Wolbrink Posted on 22 May 2013 10:41 PM

Hi Kristin,  In TntMPD for Mac, under the "File" menu, click on "Open".  Then select your TntMPD database in Dropbox.  --Troy

By: KristinBorski Posted on 23 May 2013 5:17 PM

Troy, I tried this and when I go to select the file, I can't select my database.  It doesn't recognize it as a compatible file.

By: Troy Wolbrink Posted on 23 May 2013 11:41 PM

Hi Kristin,  When you get an error message, click the "Details" button and report those details to the forums. --Troy

By: Michael Anderson Posted on 24 Jul 2013 7:01 PM

I noticed that there are three Tntmpd files in my Tnt Dropbox. Should I share the entire folder with my spouse? If I should share only one file which file would that be and will the others automatically update when changes are made? I see a .lock, a .laccdp, and .mpddb. thanks for this great feature and taking a couple minutes to clarify things for me.

_Mike

By: Troy Wolbrink Posted on 31 Jul 2013 4:09 PM

You need to share the entire folder (containing your TntMPD database) with your spouse.

By: Christina Graves Posted on 14 Aug 2013 11:08 PM

My husband and I did this, and we can both open TnTMPD on both computers, accessing the database in dropbox without any problems or error messages. However, when I updated a record while on my computer, it didn't show up on his. Both of our TnTMPD's are accessing the database in dropbox and not on the hard drive. Any idea why they aren't syncing?

By: Troy Wolbrink Posted on 4 Sep 2013 11:45 PM

Hi Christina, are you upgraded to TntMPD 3.0?  I think this will help.

By: CarlMiller Posted on 3 Oct 2013 3:59 PM

We are a small ministry and we (office staff) have set up our fellow staff members databases to skydrive so we can keep them updated for them via a csv file.  We are considering moving from Quickbooks to Donorwise to track each individual donation.  Can we still easily maintain each individual staff members support database through our skydrive databases? Or do we have to use TNTDataserver?

By: Troy Wolbrink Posted on 7 Oct 2013 8:32 PM

Hi Carl,  Interesting approach you've taken!  This is more of a DonorWise question, but since I'm also the DonorWise developer I'll answer your question!  DonorWise can e-mail these csv files directly.  If you're moving to DonorWise, I'd strongly suggest you use TntMPD.DataServer and ask Thad Hoskins if he could host the web server portion for a small fee.

By: sandruth14 Posted on 17 Mar 2014 4:15 PM

Hi there. I don't see why you should choose between the two? You can use one storage provider, like dropbox, and then move the content to any other cloud storage provider.

I've been doing it using a nice service called 'Cloudsfer' which helps you move content between cloud systems:

www.cloudsfer.com. You should check it out.

Ruth.

By: Troy Wolbrink Posted on 17 Mar 2014 7:09 PM

You should reread this FAQ article.  It explains in great detail why you should choose Dropbox over Google Drive for syncing your TntMPD database between computers.

By: Dale Coffing Posted on 28 Sep 2019 1:31 PM

Just trying to get an updated answer for OneDrive vs Dropbox. I did a search and can't find an answer. Is the current version of OneDrive by Microsoft just as compatible as Dropbox is now as far as how TNTConnect handles conflicts? I read how Dropbox is optimized and to not use Google Drive but our ministry the Navigators uses Office365 with a OneDrive and Sharepoint server.

Is there any reason to not switch from Dropbox to OneDrive?

By: Troy Wolbrink Posted on 27 Nov 2019 11:12 PM

Hi Dale,  Good question.  It looks like OneDrive is now supporting "differential sync", so I'd put right up there with Dropbox.  www.windowscentral.com/onedrive-expanding-differential-sync-all-file-types-later-year