Working with two computers: I suspect many of the Hoggers work with two or more computers, typically, I suspect, a desktop and laptop. How do you maintain a single repository you can...

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

I suspect many of the Hoggers work with two or more computers, typically, I suspect, a desktop and laptop. How do you maintain a single repository you can access from both machines? I've tried using SkyDrive, but it is BRUTALLY slow. Some have mentioned DropBox--maybe that's a better option. Maybe a site like SmugMug would work better. I'm open to options but would like to get a sense of the community's experience.

RTR Loc: West Central Alabama

Save everything to a USB hard drive. You can plug it into your desktop when at home and take it with you to plug into your laptop when you are on the road. These are very inexpensive today.

Western Digital 2TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive, requires no external power, $124.95
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/890512-REG/Western_Digital_wdby8l0020bsl_nesn_2TB_My_Passport.html

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

RTR wrote:

Save everything to a USB hard drive. You can plug it into your desktop when at home and take it with you to plug into your laptop when you are on the road. These are very inexpensive today.

Western Digital 2TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive, requires no external power, $124.95
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/890512-REG/Western_Digital_wdby8l0020bsl_nesn_2TB_My_Passport.html

So I have everything backed up a couple of ways, including external drives. Pulling the plug to take one with me is an option, but I'm a "travel light" sort of guy. Also, I'm not sure how saving Lightroom backup so I always have access to that would work. I think--but this is just a guess--I would prefer a NAS solution. But good thoughts.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

doduce wrote:

So I have everything backed up a couple of ways, including external drives. Pulling the plug to take one with me is an option, but I'm a "travel light" sort of guy. Also, I'm not sure how saving Lightroom backup so I always have access to that would work. I think--but this is just a guess--I would prefer a NAS solution. But good thoughts.

I should have said "Also, I'm not sure how saving Lightroom backup to two different drives--my desktop and an external site--so I always have access to that would work." I know I can back the catalog up to an external drive, but two different drives? Not sure but it doesn't appear I can do that.

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

I use external harddrives that I can plug into my computers. I also save to carbonite which I can access from anywhere and any computer.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

External hard drive is the way to go!! :thumbup:

cthahn

There are numerous ways to do this. Have someone set your computers up in a net work, and then information can be shared by any and all computers. I use a desktop, laptop, and a third computer that is for photography and graphics only. Works great, expect I need help to initially set it up, but once that is done, nothing to it.

EstherP

doduce wrote:

I suspect many of the Hoggers work with two or more computers, typically, I suspect, a desktop and laptop. How do you maintain a single repository you can access from both machines? I've tried using SkyDrive, but it is BRUTALLY slow. Some have mentioned DropBox--maybe that's a better option. Maybe a site like SmugMug would work better. I'm open to options but would like to get a sense of the community's experience.

If you can be assured of a wi-fi connection on your travels, dropbox is an option, otherwise flashstick or external hd.
EstherP

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

EstherP wrote:

If you can be assured of a wi-fi connection on your travels, dropbox is an option, otherwise flashstick or external hd.
EstherP

I know some folks use DropBox, including Victoria Bampton, the LightRoom Queen. I just worry about speed and responsiveness. For backup, I think it might be really great, but for accessing and doing PP work on many files at once, I fear that similar solutions might be as sluggish as Sky Drive or others. Still much research and thought needed. Thanks.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

doduce wrote:

I suspect many of the Hoggers work with two or more computers, typically, I suspect, a desktop and laptop. How do you maintain a single repository you can access from both machines?

The key is that "single repository." Otherwise, it can be a nightmare. I have everything on my main computer, and I backup to three external drives. If I want to work with some files on another machine, I can copy them from an external. I seldom do that, though. My other machines are used for email, the Web, and non-data work. I'm afraid that if I get my computers communicating with each other, they'll gang up on me and lock me out of the system. I know it can happen because I've seen it on TV. :D

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

jerryc41 wrote:

The key is that "single repository." Ot... (show quote)

Yeah, I saw it on the Internet, so it must be true, right?
:) So how do you ensure consistency of the four file sets? Manually backup each time you make a change? That's certainly do-able, but time consuming. Selective backups of just the files/folders you modify? I'm looking for an efficient way to get me out from behind the screen and off doing other things.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

doduce wrote:

Yeah, I saw it on the Internet, so it must be true, right?
:) So how do you ensure consistency of the four file sets? Manually backup each time you make a change? That's certainly do-able, but time consuming. Selective backups of just the files/folders you modify? I'm looking for an efficient way to get me out from behind the screen and off doing other things.

Every couple of days, I start SyncBack, connect one drive after another, and have it backup half a dozen folders. It compares the drives and backs up only the files that have changed. It takes a minute or two to backup all the folders. My main computer has the current folders. The others are hit or miss.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

jerryc41 wrote:

Every couple of days, I start SyncBack, connect one drive after another, and have it backup half a dozen folders. It compares the drives and backs up only the files that have changed. It takes a minute or two to backup all the folders. My main computer has the current folders. The others are hit or miss.

SyncBack was the piece I was missing--thanks.

orterrym Loc: Miami

jerryc41 wrote:

The key is that "single repository." Ot... (show quote)

Colossus: The Forbin Project
That proves your point Jerry

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

orterrym wrote:

Colossus: The Forbin Project
That proves your point Jerry

Yeah, that was quite a movie - ahead of its time.