Custom Synchronization Settings - How to Do?

[gbyundt]

The Synchronization settings dialogue box clearly shows a radio button for
"Custom" and describes that as "Configure your own synchronization rules." I
looked through the Help file and this forum and did not find any information
on how to do this.

Can custom synchronization rules be done and if so how?

The main reason I ask is that I really don't like using the "Automatic method"
introduced in Ver 3.2 and also used in 3.3 with its synchronization data base
for general directory consolidation. For certain situation the full
functionality that the file database file gives you is necessary and very
useful. But, for others the file is just another item cluttering up a
directory.

I really, really like the Ver 3.1 "Two-way <->" choice without the file
database file for general directory compare/consolation and wonder if I can
create my own "Custom" rule to bring that functionality back?

Otherwise I am stuck at Ver 3.1 which is the last version with this
functionality that I know of.

gby

[Zenju]

> Can custom synchronization rules be done and if so how?
Simply click on the sync-direction buttons and customize them like you need
them. The functionality of the old "Two-way <->" variant can be accomplished
without problems.

[gbyundt]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick reply. I can see how to click say Update in
Synchronization settings and then click the Icons on the right to customize it
to be the old Ver 3.1 "Two-way <->" choice. The issue is that clicking any
other synchronization method wipes out the customization.

What I was wondering is how to have a customized synchronization saved so that
I can switch between pre-defined ones and my customized setting with one
button click? If this is not a present feature could you consider adding that
you can click the custom button and retrieve the last customized setting?
Perhaps even allow naming the setting to help remember what the particular
custom setting was for?

Thanks for a great program that is almost perfect for me....

gby

[Zenju]

>have a customized synchronization saved so that I can switch between pre-
defined ones and my customized setting with one button click
This sounds like a cool idea. I'll implement this for v3.4! This also nicely
solves another problem where users wrongly assume "custom" sync settings are
not implemented, because the radio-button is grayed out.

[gbyundt]

Thanks, taking the idea and running with it. I look forward to trying v3.4!

I also agree that it will solve the confusion caused by the initially grayed
out custom sync settings button.

gby

[Zenju]

Here is a prototype of the new functionality:

[404, Invalid URL: http://www.file-upload.net/download-2311329/FreeFileSync-v3.4RC2.rar.html]

Tomorrow will be release of v3.4. But honestly I'm not convinced whether I'll
include this feature already. There are a few design questions open:
- It's not clear at which level custom sync-config shall be stored: global, sync-job or folder-pair?
- If actual sync-settings are of type "custom" AND are different than "last-used custom settings", clicking "custom" will change directions, although category (=custom) is NOT changed. This can be confusing for users.
- The additional button slighly decreases clarity of the sync-dialog

[gbyundt]

I think the behavior for custom sync settings should be like for file filters.
This way a user would only have to learn one behavior.

That is, when you change the custom settings, exit FFS, restart FFS via the
exe you get the last used settings. But, if you start FFS from .ffs_gui or
.ffs_batch then the custom settings would come from those files.

gby