RealtimeSync

Posts: 45 · arrmo 14 Dec 2009, 03:24

Hi,

A couple questions on RealtimeSync - as it seems like a great tool, just not
sure about a couple items!

- is the delay time in seconds?
- does the monitoring start automatically (and pressing Start is not required, as it sort of looks like)?
- is there a way to make the X (close box) not close the window, but rather just put it back in the tray? I keep accidentally closing it ... :-(.
- is there a way to have an email sent only when errors occur (when copying files)?

Thanks!

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 14 Dec 2009, 09:10

1. Yes, should be described in the help popup.
2. No, you need to click "Start" to begin.
3. The "X" was removed from newest version (v3.2.)
4. You mean in contrast to errors during comparison? In batch mode errors during comparison and synchronization are not distinguished. So I suggest to avoid errors during comparison by using an appropriate exclude filter.

Posts: 45 · arrmo 16 Dec 2009, 00:20

A couple comments (am using Ver 3.2 now),

- sync runs automatically on program
start, even if no files need to be
synchronized
- the X is still there, and it exits (not minimize to tray, which would be
great)

Thanks!

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 16 Dec 2009, 08:33

> the X is still there

Are we talking about a different 'X' here? Are you really using v3.2 (see
about dialog)?

> sync runs automatically on program start

This sounds like you might want to start a batch job: *.ffs_batch

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 16 Dec 2009, 08:35

Ah okay, you're not talking about the 'X' on bottom right, but on top right,
correct? :) I've removed the on at the bottom with v3.2.

Posts: 45 · arrmo 16 Dec 2009, 13:18

Hi,

Bottom right? Sorry, I don't see that one - but yes, I'm referring to the top
right (i.e. the close window X). As with many applications that use the tray,
it would be nice to minimize to the tray rather than close when this X is
pressed (and add a button in the window itself to exit the application).

Make sense?

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 16 Dec 2009, 13:27

I fear replacing the default logic of 'X' would surprise most users as they
reasonably expect the application to close on clicking it.

What about putting the link to FFS into the Quickstart bar? That's the way I'm
using it and I could add it to the installer.

Posts: 45 · arrmo 16 Dec 2009, 15:21

No problem. I have found that most tray applications behave this way (X ->
minimize, or at least there is an option to configure it that way), but if
you're worried about confusing folks I understand.

Adding it to the Quick Launch bar isn't really the issue - I can open it, I
just keep closing it by accident as there is no way at all to get it back in
the tray (once it's opened from there). If minimize took it back to the tray
(and off the task bar) it would help.

Thanks!

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 16 Dec 2009, 15:32

> there is no way at all to get it back in the tray (once it's opened from
there)

How can you open the tool FROM sys-tray? Or are you talking about resuming
from tray during synchronization?

Posts: 45 · arrmo 16 Dec 2009, 17:29

Sorry - I mean resuming from the tray, by selecting restore from the popup
menu, or by double clicking on it. The issue is that I can't get it back in
the tray, and off the task bar, after that ... :-(.

Thanks!

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 17 Dec 2009, 10:20

You can press the minimize button to put it back into the tray. I assume you
are using silent batch jobs, this is the only place where the sync-window
starts in sys-tray.

Posts: 45 · arrmo 17 Dec 2009, 22:32

Yes, you are correct - silent batch jobs.

Nope - when I minimize it stays on the task bar, and doesn't return to the
tray. Is there a trick to this?

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 17 Dec 2009, 23:20

I've tested this in Windows XP and Seven and resuming and getting back into
sys-tray worked fine. Are you using another OS or do you have sys-tray
settings that hide inactive icons?

Posts: 45 · arrmo 18 Dec 2009, 03:36

That may be it! I'm running under Vista.

Nope, no tray settings for inactive icons, and I checked to confirm - but it's
not there (but it still is in the taskbar).

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 18 Dec 2009, 08:28

Would be quite strange if doesn't work with Vista but then again with 7...
Maybe you could do a small video of this behavior, perhaps I can see a
problem? If it's something I can fix, I really would like to do it!

Posts: 45 · arrmo 18 Dec 2009, 15:05

Sure - glad to help if I can. I have a video ready to go, but how do I get it
to you (as I can't seem to add an attachment here)?

Thanks!

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 18 Dec 2009, 15:20

Great! You could upload it onto some file hoster and post the link here.

Posts: 45 · arrmo 18 Dec 2009, 23:03

Sorry, I don't know of any file hosters - is there a place here that I can
store the file? Don't worry, I'm trying to help, not hurt ... :-).

Thanks!

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 20 Dec 2009, 00:28

In the forum there is no place to upload data, but it is possible for the
tracker.

The simplest thing would be to upload to some arbitrary file hoster: Start
google and search for "free file upload".

Posts: 45 · arrmo 20 Dec 2009, 17:04

OK - here is the link ... [404, Invalid URL: http://www.mediafire.com/file/z3qiwwzqmwn/RealtimeSync.avi]

What you'll see is me double-clicking to restore RealtimeSync from the Tray
(which works), and then minimizing it ... and it doesn't return to the tray,
it stays in the taskbar ... :-(.

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 20 Dec 2009, 18:01

Ahh okay! :) I totally was on the wrong track, thought we were talking about
FFS and not RTS, my bad.

With RTS you need to click the "START" button to begin monitoring (which puts
the app back to sys-tray, too)

Posts: 45 · arrmo 20 Dec 2009, 18:47

No problem - at least I'm not crazy ... :-).

Would it not make sense for X (or minimize) to return RealtimeSync to the
tray?

Thanks!

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 21 Dec 2009, 08:26

The problem is putting RTS into the tray does two different things: It not
only minimizes it, but also puts it in active monitoring mode.
Now it would be very strange if you actually start the application by clicking
the X button.

Posts: 45 · arrmo 21 Dec 2009, 13:53

OK, it may be that I'm not quite understanding something here - sorry for the
dumb question, but what is "active monitoring mode"? Is it not monitoring
files and running FFS if it is not in the tray?

Thanks!

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 21 Dec 2009, 14:01

No, it is not. The idea is to use the tool in two steps:

1. Setup all configuration data, i.e. specify the directories that shall be monitored, enter a commandline and a delay.
2. Start monitoring by clicking on "Start"

Alternative: If the tool is started by double-clicking on a *.ffs_real file
configuration is already finished and it starts monitoring immediately (step
2.)

Posts: 45 · arrmo 21 Dec 2009, 14:09

OK, my misunderstanding - sorry for the trouble.

Thanks for a great program!

Posts: 7052 · Zenju 21 Dec 2009, 18:51

No problem! Perhaps there is something that could be improved on the design
level to make it more intuitive.

Posts: 45 · arrmo 21 Dec 2009, 19:45

The only thing I can think of is some sort of indicator on the dialog box
and/or tray icon - that says monitoring is active or not.

Thanks again!

Posts: 3 · zach_hudock 23 Dec 2009, 03:01

I just found FreeFileSync and RealTimeSync. Both are amazing apps, and the
fact that they are open source is even better. *throws out SyncToy*

The functionality is great, more than most of the other similar tools
available. In my opinion though, the UI is a little confusing. Design changes
may be in order, but as far as im concerned, the functionality is
perfect...havent run into any bugs yet

For FFS, i dont really have thoughts on how to improve the UI, i just know it
confused me at first.

For RTS, a UI design change, as well as a tooltip over the tray icon to
indicate if it is monitoring or not would be good.

I may work up a sample UI design over Christmas and post back this weekend.

Posts: 3 · zach_hudock 23 Dec 2009, 03:02

Forgot a comment.

Also for RTS, would it be possible to animate the tray icon during a sync
operation so it's apparent to the user that everything is working?