Vista - Good Folder Sync, Does it actually Exist?

I have to ask. I have spent the better part of a day trying to figure out what I had originally thought would be a relatively simple task:

I want to have one folder (college class files) one two computers. Any time the computers are on the same network this folder is synced. And when I say sync I mean any changes to files and or any new files on EITHER machine are sent to the other, so both machines are kept with a totally complete verison of this folder. Simple right?

NO!

Microsoft offline?
-NOPE, firstly all this does is have one computer at as a server to the other (not to mention that windows file sharing will only work, sort of, sometimes). Secondly when windows saves a file offline on another machine it puts them into some magical temporary location that I don't know of, which is not very helpful. I don't want to have to go to a network drive to access the notes on a computer, plus I can't have other applications like one note create new notebooks/sections in this folder because it is an "always offline" special synced folder stored in some land far far away that I don't know of. Windows offline is great if you want sync in one direction, that is if new documents are being created on one machine and always being updated to another. I'm taking notes in college, I'm gonna be creating new documents on both comps all the time and I want them to be synced for both computers in both directions (I'm not explaining that idea too well but I think you get the basic idea).

Groove?
-BIG NO, here's a simple concept, a program that provides excellent sync capability, oh unless you happen to use VISTA x64!!!!!!!!!

Shared Notebooks in Onenote?
-This is a twofold problem, first I'd liek to be able to sync more than just onenote. Second is similar to windows offline. When I open a shared notebook on another computer it is stored in onenote but I don't know where it is: example to clarify:

On both computers I have a folder called college. One one comp I create a shared notebook called caculus 114. One the otehr I open the shared notebook. THis shared notebook is made available but WHERE??? I cannot chose to have is shared to the corresponding "college" folder on the other computer. So again this is essentailly a oneway sync. It is not purely two identical folders on two different computers where a change to that folde ron either comp with update to the other comp. Is there any easy way to do what i am talking about, because I have been looking for some time and still nto found a truly simple/workable solution.

I use 'foldershare' which works really well between a vista 32 (laptop) vista 64 (desktop) and XP (another desktop). Link is here https://www.foldershare.com/

I believe they were recently bought by microsoft so should be compliant. Just one thing to note - I think there is a file limit - you can share to a max of 10,000 files!

Hope this helps

Hi RyanK,

The solution your looking for has been built-into windows since 1995

Sync using Briefcase

You can use Briefcase to keep files in sync between two different computers, even if the computers are not on the same network.

1. Open the folder where you want to create a new Briefcase.

2. Right-click a blank area in the folder window, then goto New and then click Briefcase.

3. A new Briefcase appears. Type a name for the Briefcase, and then copy any files you want to sync into the Briefcase.

4. Move the Briefcase over the network to the second computer.

5. Make any changes you want to the files on either computer.

6. When you are ready to sync any changes you have made, right-click the Briefcase, and then click Update All

This will do exactly what you need
Steven

Hi,

I am using Comparator for many years. It is now shareware, but it does everything I need and want - even under Vista. Magic little tool.

I'd love to know whether it also works under a 64 bit system......

SoftByte Labs shareware for Microsoft Windows

//AndyB