.Mac Alternatives

[sandyman]

Can anyone suggest any alternatives to .Mac for synchronising the Address Book and iCal between a Macbook and an iMac?.  I realise that I could

1) Back up both, copy over the files and update that way

2) Use my Nokia Bluetooth phone

But I was really looking for an easy way of doing it.  I don't want or need all the other facilities that.Mac has and feel that £69 per year is a lot to pay for the sync function.

Sandy

[Mayo]

Try Googling "sync iCal without .Mac" and you will get free and low-cost alternatives. I didn't look for Address Book info...

I think that dragging-and-dropping the appropriate files between the two Macs would be the easiest and cheapest way to go if you don't need to sync data while on the road.

[sandyman]

QUOTE(Mayo @ Nov 30 2007, 07:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Try Googling "sync iCal without .Mac" and you will get free and low-cost alternatives. I didn't look for Address Book info...

I think that dragging-and-dropping the appropriate files between the two Macs would be the easiest and cheapest way to go if you don't need to sync data while on the road.

Mayo
Just realised that my first idea and your's have the same fault.  They won't really sync

I tried Googling it but most options seemed to involve synching iCal via Google Calendars.  I try and avoid Google if I can.  I don't like their attitude to personal data and privacy.  I'll keep looking though

Cheers anyway

Sandy

[Mayo]

Sandy, the top hit I got was how to use a free WebDAV server a la .Mac.  Publish iCal Calendars Without .Mac

Drag-and drop won't work?  Bummer! There should be a way to sync these things on a LAN...

Hmmm... Maybe there is a way.  I Googled "sync iCal on a LAN" and got this. It can sync iCal, your Address Book, Safari bookmarks and more. It looks like syncing over the Internet is also possible (I don't know if it willl work if you use a router to distribute IP addresses on a LAN.) The software does cost $50 but it presumably is a one-time expense vs. $100 annually...

If the download has a demo mode you can try before you buy. It isn't compatible with Leopard at this point.

[sandyman]

QUOTE(Mayo @ Nov 30 2007, 10:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sandy, the top hit I got was how to use a free WebDAV server a la .Mac.  Publish iCal Calendars Without .Mac

Drag-and drop won't work?  Bummer! There should be a way to sync these things on a LAN...

Cheers mate.  That looks as though it's worth a try.  I've got this horrible feeling that I'm going to end up doing it via my mobile 'phone  Sync one and then the other ad infinitum..

.Mac has it down to a Tee, but it's not cheap when you only need one of the services.

I "REALLY" don't need another email address.

For the website/web hosting bit, well, I have mate who has a server and is willing to give me loads of web space (PHP and MySQL included) for free if I want it.  It's not what you know, it's not even who you know.  It's what you know about them

[sandbox]

synctogether

http://www.markspace.com/

[Mayo]

SB, I already provided that link... Maybe you (and Sandy?) missed it.

[sandbox]

Ops, sosorry Mayo...... me missed dat juan.

I use a free PocketMac for BlackBerry sync app, and I think there's a Pro version for general syncing as well. I'm reaching here....it's a desert out there in sycnland especially with Leopard.

[sandyman]

I had a look at sync together.  It looks pretty good.  However there is no trial version available.  Call me a tight fisted Fifer (and you're probably right) but I want to be sure that something works correctly before handing over my "Readily Interchangeable Beer Tokens"

Sandy

[Mayo]

No demo?  I sent the developer a message amounting to "What gives?"  It's unusual that a free-trial version isn't available...

[cdub1988]

Sandy,

You could setup WebDAV as suggested.

It may be the least painful.

I did it before and it was ready to be used at my old workplace, but they decided to do something else (Exchange I think.....shudder.....)

Anyway, I can see if I can dig up those links I used to config the thing.

It wasn't terrible, just need the right help to do it.

Not every wiki entry works, as you know too well.

Take care,

Chris

[Mayo]

Sandy, I received a reply from the SyncTogether folks... There is a 14-day demo option.  Here are the instructions:

Thank you for your interest in Mark/Space's Missing Sync
You can check out a trial version of The Missing Sync
prior to purchasing, by going to our downloads page at:

<http://www.markspace.com/downloads.html>http://www.markspace.com/downloads.html

For SyncTogether:
Under “Sync Together | Available Updates”
Click on the Download version 1.0.1 link
You must be running Mac OS 10.4.8 or later and
all machines must be on an identical OS level.
I recommend 10.4.9 and above.

When prompted for a registration code,
choose Register Later. That will delay
registration for 14 days while you try
it out.

We don't offer technical support on our
trial versions, so please read the user
guide after installing and back up your
data first.

We recommend that you turn off your
firewall and anti-virus software
whenever downloading, installing,
or registering The Missing Sync,
as they may interfere with some of
our processes.

Remember to turn your firewall and
anti-virus software back on after
you have completed.

And, always backup all your data
before making any system changes
such as installing or upgrading
software.

[sandyman]

Mayo
I should have read your last post more fully.  More specifically

QUOTE

all machines must be on an identical OS level

 . I am, somewhat unwillingly running Leopard on the Macbook and Tiger on the iMac. I gave it a go but apart from the aforementioned, it seems as though I'd have to start messing around with Firewall settings. TBH, it's too much hassle.  I'll just use my Bluetooth equipped mobile 'phone.  It's not as though I have large numbers of machines to keep in sync

Sandy