I haven been putting all my databases into a folder beneath my user folder in ~/ugur/DT_Databases instead of ~/ugur/Documents/DT_Databases so that iCloud would not upload my databases to iCloud. And I was syncing between my Mac and my iDevices via local network (via Bonjour).
Now that I am using DT to Go 3, I’d like to use CloudKit for syncing.
What is the preferred location on the Mac for the databases? ~/user/DT or ~/user/Documents/DT? Would it make it easier for CloudKit sync if I put my databases in a folder that is already synced to iCloud (e.g. ~/ugur/Documents/DT?)
Is CloudKit uploading to my iCloud?
Also, is CloudKit uploading to my iCloud account? And do I need to upgrade iCloud to be able to sync my gigabytes of databases?
Would it make it easier for CloudKit sync if I put my databases in a folder that is already synced to iCloud (e.g. ~/ugur/Documents/DT?)
No.
This has been discussed time and time again, not only here but in the documentation as well. Never put a DEVONthink database in any cloud-synced location.
Leave them where they are in the folder of the root of your Home directory.
Also, is CloudKit uploading to my iCloud account?
Of course. The sync method is named iCloud (CloudKit) and syncs to your account on Apple’s servers.
And do I need to upgrade iCloud to be able to sync my gigabytes of databases?
That depends on how much space you have available.
Jim, thank you for taking time to answer my questions.
I know that it is recommended not to put databases in any cloud-synced location. It was just that I was confused as to what CloudKit is, how it works, and what the differences are compared to legacy iCloud sync. Of course I could have taken the time to do my own research, and I did, but could not find a satisfying answer.
Previously I’d keep my databases in my home-folder and sync to my iDevices via Bonjour. Now I still keep the databases in my home folder, but with CloudKit all my databases are finally synced to to a remote place, namely my iCloud account (although I could not see any place where my iCloud quota reduces as my databases get synced to iCloud). This is an excellent solution that I always wanted. Now I have remote backups of my DT databases. Plus sync seems to be very smooth between iDevices.
You’re welcome and I’m glad to hear CloudKit is working well for you.
One thing to note:
Now I have remote backups of my DT databases.
Sync is not a backup, neither advertised nor advocated as such. We strongly advocate proper primary backups using TimeMachine (or similar snapshot-style backup applications) and external drives. Also, you should read the series of articles we posted: DEVONtechnologies | Search & Find
Regarding backups: I agree, sync is no backup, but at least a remote copy. - I do have proper backups with Carbon Copy Cloner, on different, rotating external hard drives. Plus Time Machine backups on an external HD. Alas, no remote copies of my DT databases. There are services for remote backups, but I haven’t looked into them yet.
You could regularly zip your databases and save the zip files on whatever cloud service you like. Since you would be uploading only single files there wouldn’t be any danger of corrupting any database structures by improper syncing. Of course these would only be snapshots and there usefulness in the case of a crash would depend on the frequency of backing up.
The only problem I have faced—I’m saving online zipped databases as additional backups—is the size of the zipped databases because cloud services often allow only a maximum size per file.
I just use Arq with Wasabi for remote backups. They are even immutable if desired. Wasabi costs $6 for 1 TB and it’s faster for me than B2 and some other destinations I tried.