Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- other:lsce_cloud [2022/03/25 10:51] – [Using the LSCE sharebox server] Added subsections jypeter
+++ other:lsce_cloud [2022/03/29 17:28] – [Sharing data with sharebox, and synchronizing folders with ownCloud] jypeter
@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
   - how to use //sharebox// manually for **sharing** some files,
   - then how to use //ownCloud// for **synchronizing** some folders
-    * ownCloud can **mirror** a folder on your local computer to the //sharebox// server.
+    * ownCloud can **mirror** a **local** folder on your local computer to the **remote** //sharebox// server.
   - and (only) then how to **synchronize** folders on different computers (very useful, and **possibly risky**)
@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
     * Try it for yourself by deleting some test files on the sharebox server
   * Warning! When you delete something (locally or on the remote server), it will be moved to the ''Deleted files'' section of the remote server
-    * This is a useful safety feature
+    * This is a useful safety feature, because it allows you to recover files from the trashcan
-    * The trashcan may use a lot of space! Be sure to clean it regularly!
+      * It's possible (not sure yet... FIXME) that files in the trashcan may be automatically removed after //some time// (to determine... FIXME)
+    * The [[other:lsce_cloud#space_management|trashcan may use a lot of space]]! Be sure to clean it regularly!
 ==== Checking that things are working correctly ====
@@ Line 80: / Line 81: @@
 <note important>There shouldn't be any problem, but you should still **check regularly that ownCloud is running correctly**
-Quitting (one of the rare times when you can use the ''Quit ownCloud'' button) and restarting ownCloud usually takes care of problems</note>
+Quitting (one of the rare times when you should use the ''Quit ownCloud'' button) and restarting ownCloud may take care of problems</note>
 === The obvious stuff ===
@@ Line 89: / Line 90: @@
     * the sharebox server is running
-  * Be sure to save the files that you are editing (and that are in a mirrored folder) before shutting down your computer
+  * Be sure to save the files that you are editing (and that are in a mirrored folder) before shutting down your computer, so that the latest version of the files is sent to sharebox
-    * use a long enough delay (a few seconds will be OK if you have a good network access) after saving a file and shutting down your computer
+    * use a //long enough// delay after saving a file and shutting down your computer: a few seconds should be OK, depending on the file size and the network access. You can always [[#checking_owncloud_activity|check the activity log]] to be sure
+  * Do not change the same file on several computers at the same time
 === Is ownCloud running ? ===
@@ Line 96: / Line 99: @@
 Check that there is an ownCloud icon in the hidden icons of the taskbar (or start ownCloud) and that it has a green check-mark{{ :other:owncloud_ok.png?direct |}}
-ownCloud should always be running, unless you have used the ''Quit ownCloud'' instead of ''Hide'' by mistake in the interface.
+**ownCloud should always be running**, unless you have used the ''Quit ownCloud'' by mistake, instead of ''Hide'', in the interface.
 === Checking ownCloud status ===
-You can start the ownCloud interface and check that ownCloud is operating properly (green check-mark){{ :other:owncloud_status_blank.png?direct&500 |}}
+You can start the ownCloud interface and **check that ownCloud is operating properly** (//green// check-mark){{ :other:owncloud_status_blank.png?direct&500 |}}
 === Checking ownCloud activity ===
-You can use the ''Activity'' panel to check the recent activity and make sure that ownCloud did everything //as expected//. If you see errors, try to correct them as soon as possible!
+You can use the ''Activity'' panel to **check the recent activity** and make sure that ownCloud did everything //as expected//. If you see errors, try to correct them as soon as possible!
 The most recent action is listed at the top. In the example below (from bottom to top):
   * A new folder on the local computer is uploaded to sharebox, and then renamed (''Moved''...) on sharebox after being renamed locally
-  * A test image is added to the new folder (both locally and on sharebox) and the renamed
+  * A test image is added to the new folder (both locally and on sharebox) and then renamed
   * A text file is added, renamed and updated
 {{ :other:owncloud_activity_blank.png?direct&600 |}}
+=== Warnings and errors examples ===
+A **//blue// status icon is a warning** that there is a problem that you can probably ignore. Check the ownCloud activity panel if you want to be sure!
+e.g. the warning you get when all files are mirrored, but some temporary files were automatically ignored {{ :other:owncloud_info_notes.png?direct&800 |}}
+A **//red// status icon means that there is a problem** that you should investigate and fix
+e.g. the error you get when the local folder is not accessible (because it does not exist, is encrypted, etc...) {{ :other:owncloud_error.png?direct&800 |}}
 ==== Are you ready? ====
-You should now be ready to add real folders and documents to the local OWNCLOUD folder on your computer!
+You should now be ready to add real folders and documents to the  [[other:win10config#local_owncloud_folder|local OWNCLOUD folder]] on your computer!
   * Don't try doing too much at the beginning...
-  * The storage space is not infinite ([[#using_the_lsce_sharebox_server|check your limits]] from time to time)!
+    * i.e start with a simple sub-folder of the [[other:win10config#local_owncloud_folder|local OWNCLOUD folder]], add more folders later when you feel safe
-  * **Do not** try to mirror your //Windows// home folder (on ''C:''), or similar folders (e.g. //Thunderbird// and //Firefox// folders) that have lots and lots of useless temporary files
+  * The storage space is not infinite ([[other:lsce_cloud#space_management|check your storage usage]] from time to time)!
+  * **Do not** mirror your //Windows// home folder (on ''C:''), or similar folders (e.g. //Thunderbird//, //Firefox// and //Chrome// folders) that have lots and lots of useless cache/temporary files
+    * To be sure of what you are mirroring, it's safer to create a dedicated  [[other:win10config#local_owncloud_folder|local OWNCLOUD folder]] (outside of the other folders you use) and progressively add subfolders that you want to mirror
   * Never forget that //mirroring// is not a foolproof type of backup!
     * You should also use SyncBack or other types of [[other:win10apps#backup_software|Backup software]] for saving your data to an external disk
@@ Line 124: / Line 139: @@
 ===== Synchronizing folders on different computers =====
+It should be very easy to synchronize folders, **if you have read all the previous sections of this page**!
+==== How does it work ? ====
+Basically, we are just going to use ownCloud, and mirror folders from two (or more) computers to the LSCE
+//sharebox// server !
+<WRAP center round box 60%>
+Local folder on **computer A** <wrap em><=></wrap> <wrap hi>**sharebox server**</wrap> <wrap em><=></wrap> Local folder on **computer B**
+Example use case:
+  * **computer A**: computer at work
+  * **computer B**: computer at home
+</WRAP>
+A file (or folder) //changed// (created, updated or removed) on **computer A** will:
+  - be mirrored to the sharebox server
+  - and then mirrored to **computer B**
+This will work seamlessly provided you <wrap em>don't change the same file (or folder) at the same time on different computers !!</wrap> This will be easy to do if you:
+  * save and close files in mirrored folders before moving from one computer to the other (e.g. before going back home, or going to work)
+  * make sure the computers are online //long enough// to mirror their files to the sharebox server before switching the computers off
+==== Configuration ====
+  - [[other:lsce_cloud#synchronizing_folders_with_owncloud|Install ownCloud and create a folder configuration]] on **computer A** (your main computer)
+    * e.g. LOCAL folder <wrap em>@ A</wrap>: ''<some_disk_different_from_c_on_A>:\Users\<your_login>_owncloud''
+    * e.g. REMOTE: ''Backup/<your_login>_owncloud''
+  - Add some content to the LOCAL mirrored folder on **computer A** and **make sure that all the mirrored files are closed**
+  - [[other:lsce_cloud#synchronizing_folders_with_owncloud|Install ownCloud and create a folder configuration]] on **computer B**
+    * e.g. LOCAL folder <wrap em>@ B</wrap>: ''<some_disk_different_from_c_on_B>:\Users\<your_login>_owncloud''
+    * e.g. REMOTE: ''Backup/<your_login>_owncloud''
+  - watch content from **computer A** appear in the LOCAL folder on **computer B** !
+  - change some content on **computer B** and **make sure that all the mirrored files are closed**
+  - go back to **computer A** and check the updated content (from **computer B**)
+  - you can also [[#checking_owncloud_activity|check the ownCloud activity log]] on both computers to make sure that things took place as expected