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GoodSync can transfer and synchronize data between a wide variety of devices - desktops, laptops, servers, external storage and Windows Mobile devices - in any direction. With GoodSync, individual folders or entire hard drives can be backed up and/or synchronized via USB cable, local networks and the Web. The program not only can synchronize a user’s entire data collection, but also analyzes, filters and displays results of syncing operations, providing confirmation that files are backed-up duplicates have been avoided and only needed files are synced. Real-time action progress monitoring, an easy-to-understand tree-based interface, and automatic settings help simplify GoodSync’s operation.
The GoodSync compressed file is a just under 10 MB download. Installation is a simple drag and drop from the mounted disk image. The demo is limited to three or fewer jobs and 100 or fewer files and folders in each job. You'll need to purchase a GoodSync Pro license key to unlock the complete feature set, including unlimited jobs and file synchronization and free Web and toll-free phone support. A GoodSync Pro for Mac License costs $29.95, and upgrade activation to Pro status is immediate once you enter your username and license serial number. The software is covered by a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee. A second license costs $9.95. However, when GoodSync syncs with a remote computer, you don't need a license for the remote computer (server), but only for the client computer.
Once installed, GoodSync's operation is largely simple and intuitive. The GoodSync interface window displays three columns, or panes: a job pane and two folder panes. The right or destination folder can be another folder located on your Mac, an external hard drive, a USB drive, or a network drive. Click the "New Job" button to make a sheet appear in which you can specify either "Synchronize" - a two-way job in which files will be changed on both volumes, or "Backup," which will change only the files on the volume that appears in the left side of the user interface window. You will need to create a new folder on your backup media before you can sync.
Unfortunately, GoodSync's open dialogs don't adhere to standard Apple interface guidelines, and you can only click the selection arrow to see inside a folder — a double-click will not open the folder.
Next, click the left Browse button and select the first (left) folder to synchronize, then click the right Browse button and select the second (right) folder to synchronize. Now click the Analyze button to see the list of file operations that will synchronize the selected folders.
The analysis can take some time, depending on the size of the folder contents, but progress can be monitored in a readout at the bottom of the GoodSync window. When the Analyze process is complete, click the Sync button to execute the proposed synchronization operations, which goes much more quickly and is likewise monitored in real time.
A right-click on a file name will display a shortcut menu with a selection of actions choices, such as include or exclude the file, open, copy or delete the file. A number of other actions can be selected from the Actions Menu, which are explained in the manual that can be read online or downloaded as a PDF file, here:
http://www.goodsync.com/mac/support/manual
Make sure you download the Mac version of the GoodSync manual, as the standard manual and online tutorial and support pages are very Windows-centric.
Once you've configured a particular job, you can automate it to run when you are not at the computer, or set GoodSync for Mac to sync whenever you connect a backup flash drive to your Mac. You can also configure multiple jobs, create filters, and schedule automated synchronization runs in the Options dialog and export jobs from one computer and Import them to another computer using Export and Import commands in the GoodSync Menu. Any data stored in a file can be synchronized, but GoodSync syncs only whole files and it does not look inside the file.
GoodSync for Mac works well to keep identical copies of files in two or more storage/backup locations, but its user interface and general execution is neither intuitive nor Mac-like. Compared with OS X's built-in Time Machine, for example, it's not as effortless, but it does give you a lot more control and selectivity over what will and will not be backed up, and your backed-up files on the backup volume will be more easily accessible. However for global backups and auitomated incremental updates, you may find Time Machine, donationware Carbon Copy Cloner, or $27.95 SuperDuper more convenient.
System Requirements:
Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5, and 10.6 are fully supported.
GoodSync for Mac Pro sells for $29.95, $9.95 for a 2nd license.
Can be downloaded for personal use at:
http://www.goodsync.com/mac
and
http://www.goodsync.com/download
Charles W. Moore
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