Freron MailMate

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.