![]() The problem with SugarSync’s backup functionality is what the service cannot do. And once the initial backup is complete, the performance hit is unnoticeable. It means theoretically that you don’t need to monitor whether the software is carrying out scheduled backups - because it’s doing them all the time - and that you won’t lose changes made to a file between backups.ĭuring the potentially very lengthy period when SugarSync copies files for the first time, the backup process may slow your computer’s performance, but it is possible to specify the speed at which the backups are done to minimize the affect. If you change and close a file, SugarSync will almost immediately begin backing up the file. SugarSync continuously backs up files as they change - in the background as you work. (The company says it maintains two redundant data facilities.) SugarSync copies all the files in those folders to its secure servers. The SugarSync Manager software lets you select which folders you want to include in a backup set on the device. Subscribers download and install a piece of client software on each device. SugarSync works in many respects like other online backup services - Mozy and Fabrik, for example, which we’ve reviewed in the past. The initial test backup of six or seven gigabytes (GB) of data did take several hours with the SugarSync software set to backup at medium speed, but this is typical of online backup services. All the functions we tested worked as advertised. The software itself is fairly intuitive, using a Windows Explorer-style interface for showing folders and files. We were not able to test the process using a smartphone, but the smartphone interface works much the same as on a computer. The software downloaded and installed without problem on two Windows machines. Our out-of-the-box experience with SugarSync was generally good. We suspect it’s a ploy to recruit more free subscribers who may eventually become paying customers. Why? SugarSync says it so it can authenticate users. The only snag: collaborators must register (for free) with SugarSync in order to access a subscriber`s shared files or folders for which they receive a link. Assign the file a link, and send it to the recipient with a password. You can use this simple but powerful functionality for ongoing collaboration or in one-off situations where you need to transmit a file that is too big to send in an e-mail. SugarSync will even send you e-mail to tell you how often other people access the shared folders and files. You can send the links to collaborators, assigning passwords and “permissions” that allow read-only access or editing privileges. The sharing functionality lets you make individual files or folders accessible to colleagues by assigning Web links to the content. In addition to PCs, laptops and netbooks, SugarSync supports major softphone platforms including iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Windows Mobile (beta only available), as well as Windows, Linux and Mac computer operating systems Simple File Sharing Whenever a device logs into the SugarSync account, new or changed files that have been backed up to the Magic Briefcase subfolder since the previous login will automatically download to the device. You can also add files to Magic Briefcase subfolders on your other devices. You can move files to or create new Briefcase subfolders using Windows Explorer, or in SugarSync Manager. Place the files and folders you want synched to other devices in the Magic Briefcase subfolder that SugarSync automatically creates in your My Documents folder during the installation process. SugarSync’s file synchronization functionality is impressive and easy to use. The system uploads subscribers’ files over the Internet - much like other online backup services. SugarSync also delivers automatic online backup and secure online file sharing. offers SugarSync, an online service that makes it easy to synchronize files and keep them up to date on all your computing devices. The problem is, they typically need many of the same files on all their devices. Many small business people use multiple computing devices for work – desktop PCs at office and home, laptops, smartphones, netbooks - and switch between them depending on the circumstance.
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