I checked the documentation and found it confusing. And I’m still confused.
Here’s my question: I run DevonThink on one MacBook, and DevonThink to Go on an iPad and iPhone.
Using Bonjour, can I sync DevonThink between any two of those devices if the third is disconnected? If my MacBook is disconnected from a network, can I sync between the iPhone and iPad? Similarly, if the iPad is disconnected, can I sync between the Mac and iPhone? Etc.
And the quick answer is: maybe?
Using Bonjour, can I sync DevonThink between any two of those devices if the third is disconnected? If my MacBook is disconnected from a network, can I sync between the iPhone and iPad? Similarly, if the iPad is disconnected, can I sync between the Mac and iPhone? Etc.
In these scenarios, you haven’t defined what device is the server.
All the devices aren’t a server, all the time.
If my MacBook is disconnected from a network, can I sync between the iPhone and iPad?
Is it possible? Yes, but I’d ask: do you need to?
Also, you need to define what “my MacBook is disconnected from a network” means. Does that mean it’s just offline, turned off, or not even with you? Being offline means one thing and has certain possibilites. Being shut down or not with you means another.
PS: If you look at the tutorial I pointed you to, it clearly shows: Setting up a mobile server as well as how to set up both Mac and mobile clients. So logically there are options.
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Welcome @VSirin and…
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Jim, I have a good solution for that, I just put a post-it note on the door to remind me.
Not.
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I used iCloud sync for many years, starting shortly after it was introduced. Overall, it worked well, and I defended it here a few times. But occasionally the sync got weirdly stuck, maybe once a year, requiring a blank slate sync on iDevices. 1 year ago, I re-activated my old CloudMe account (25 GB for 4 Euro/month, my sync store is about 13 GB right now). Sync runs like a well-oiled machine. I use DT and DT2Go 24/7, and shuttle all devices between home, work, and all sorts of wifi networks and my cell phone hotspot during travel. 1 year in, not a single problem. My verdict is that with the right platform, cloud sync is perfect (with the obvious caveat that despite being a heavy user and syncer, my experience cannot represent all possible use cases).
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I’m using iCloud(CloudKit) with no problems
If that fails, my #2 cloud choice would be Dropbox
In case of internet failure, Bonjour is running as backup
I’m using iCloud(CloudKit) with no problems
Yes, this depends on exact use case and ultimately, on stuff that is just arbitrary. As a physicist, I am generally careful about the statistical relevance of my findings, but I do have to say that the way CloudKit syncing created issues for me (albeit relatively rarely) is consistent with well known general issues with iCloud.
In addition to maybe once a year the sync to iOS getting stuck, CloudKit suddenly caused a ≈ daily sync stall on the Mac side fixed by simply restarting DT. I fiddled with the number of connections and whatnot, to no avail. Reverting to classic iCloud sync fixed that, but not the rare, fatal, sync issues on iOS.
The unknown for me was whether other services would do better. One year in with CloudMe, the preliminary verdict is “so far, yes”. Agreed, Dropbox would be the first best guess for a reliable alternative, but their lowest plan is Can$ 12.95 for 2 TB. I don’t need that because I already have 2 TB of iCloud which are non-negotiable due to Apple Photos and iCloud Drive for the family. Hence, I tried CloudMe. If my sync store ever exceeds 24 GB, Dropbox 2TB becomes price-competitive with the 100 GB from CloudMe. Then we’ll see.
In case of internet failure, Bonjour is running as backup
Amazingly, over all these years that scenario has not come up with me. To be fair, we have fibre and coax-cable internet by two companies into our house simultaneously, so “no internet” generally only happens if the power goes out. Which almost never happens here, and if it does, internet is not #1 concern. And even then cell tower usually still works.
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