Lighthouse has a new layout. Prefer the old one? Return to the old layout, and switch back any time from the link at the top of each page.

There was a problem

You must be a member of this account.

sync MailMate preferences among different computers

#1703

Unlike ticket 430 which asks to sync MailMate preferences via Dropbox, I'd like to suggest that MM uses Freron's own server to sync settings. Dropbox might be appealing because MM does not need to worry about the cloud service as a transfer mechanism; however, this is offset by a number of issues that have to be programmatically handled. Using own server requires setting up the server-side software but the data transfers can be handled very much like IMAP mailboxes are handled, that is using much of the already available functionality.

I have seen both approaches in action in different apps over the past few years, and I really believe that own sync server offers more robust and practical way of doing this. To sync through Dropbox or any similar service, MM has to use the lock (semafor) file to know which device controls the settings. The location of the exchange folder has to be set explicitly. The program has to deal with the access issues, delays in syncing files by Dropbox, lock file leftovers, etc. Such glitches made me stop syncing via Dropbox in PasswordWallet. On the other hand, I am really impressed how flawless syncing works for KeyShade, which uses own server for syncing. MM could even adopt their model of collecting a small annual fee for this, treating it as an add-on service.

Reported by Robert Brenstein · February 28th, 2017 @ 06:39 PM

State: new
Milestone: none
Assigned to: benny benny

Activity

  1. benny
    benny
    • State changed from new to duplicate

    Although the annual fee would be nice I don't think it would be wise for me to maintain a cloud-service for all my users.

    My line of thinking is still to use an IMAP server to synchronize data since all MailMate users have at least 1 IMAP server. Preferences would then allow one to choose a primary IMAP server for doing this and I guess the “purists” could then create an IMAP account only for this purpose (but then I should probably also allow hiding such an IMAP account).

    I'll mark this as a duplicate of #430, but I'll keep your thoughts in mind.

    March 1st, 2017 @ 09:55 AM

  2. Robert Brenstein
    Robert Brenstein

    I don't know how wise that would be, but I can see that it may be not practical for you. If you manage to get it working using IMAP servers, then of course, there will be less to maintain and less is better. You may even require users to get a separate dedicated IMAP account for syncing if they want to use that feature.

    March 1st, 2017 @ 06:16 PM

Please Sign in or create a free account to add a new ticket.

With your very own profile, you can contribute to projects, track your activity, watch tickets, receive and update tickets through your email and much more.