BACKGROUND

What is file synchronization? It is any strategy that allows a file or folder to be read and write accessible to more than one computer, and when one computer edits the file, that edit appears on all computers.

Though there are around a dozen synchronization utilities on the market, I’ve only found two worth looking at that are Macintosh compatible: DropBox and SpiderOak.


HOW DOES FILE SYNCHRONIZATION WORK

As with most synchronization utilities, the way this function works with both DropBox and SpiderOak is to have a centralized database holding your files with which all of your computers, phones, and iPads link. Though this database is most often on a 3rd-party server on the Internet, a few products allow one of your own computers to serve the database.

When you edit a file and then save it, the computer sends a copy of the revised file to the central database, which then transfers the file to all of your other computers once they connect to the Internet. This allows DropBox and SpiderOak to not only synchronize files across multiple designated computers, but to also share your data with other computers on the Internet, given the appropriate security credentials.


DROPBOX

DropBox takes the path of simplicity. Once installed, you are able to create a single folder named “DropBox” anywhere on your computer that you have rights. You may place any number of files and folders into the DropBox. Then install DropBox on your other computer(s) and those files and folders are almost instantly copied to the new computer.

With DropBox installed on two or more computers, you now have access to identical files and folders on each computer. Open a file, edit, then save it and the saved version is synchronized with the versions on your other computer(s).

DropBox has an added feature where you can share folders within your DropBox folder with other DropBox users so that your folder within DropBox also appears and synchronizes within their DropBox folder.

Unique to DropBox is the ability to view your DropBox files on the iPhone and Android mobile phones, and the iPad via the DropBox app.




SPIDEROAK

SpiderOak began life as an Internet-based backup service, one that I recommend using. It has since expanded its services to include synchronization and file sharing. However, unlike the simplistic “1 folder for everything” approach of DropBox, SpiderOak operates through an application in which you select which files and folders are backed up for each of your computers, which folders are to be synchronized between computers, and which folders may be shared with others, based on their security credentials.

SpiderOak is unique in that typically only the changed parts of a file need to be backed up. This saves considerable time for the backup process, as well as saving space on the backup account. It is also unique in that each version of your documents that has been saved in SpiderOak can be retrieved as long as you have an active account.




COMPARING DROPBOX AND SPIDEROAK




WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU

From my perspective, the dominant differences between DropBox and SpiderOak come down to: Ease of use versus flexibility and backup.

If all you need is to synchronize up to 2GB of files between 2 or more computers, and you just want fast and easy, DropBox is the top choice.

If you would like a single folder from which all files and folders are synchronized, DropBox is the bomb.

If you need to synchronize folders located in multiple locations on your drive, SpiderOak is the only choice.

If you need Internet-based backup (and I think almost everyone does), as well as file synchronization, SpiderOak is the top choice.

Tags: DropBox, spideroak, file synchronization, backup