Sneakernet: Synchronize Using Removeable Media

Sneakernet is a nickname for synchronizing two computers by carrying changed files on removeable media between systems.  This example will cover synchronizing a work computer and a home computer using a USB flash drive and a Beyond Compare snapshot file to keep track of file changes.  These directions will also work with external hard drives, CD or DVD ROMs, and floppy disks.

Note: Snapshots contain a read-only listing of files and folders.  A snapshot file can be loaded as a base folder in the left or right pane of Beyond Compare's Folder Compare.

BC version 3 or later

1. Select Tools | Save Snapshot to save a snapshot of the home system on the USB drive.
2. At work, load a comparison of the work folder to the snapshot of home.
3. Select View | Show Differences to only list different and orphan files.
4. Select Edit | Expand All.
5. Select Edit | Select All Files.
6. Select Actions | Copy To Folder to copy the changed work files to your USB drive.
7. Save a snapshot of the work files to the USB drive for comparison when you're at home
8. Copy the changed files from the USB key to your home computer to synchronize the systems.

BC version 2

1. Select Actions | Save Snapshot to save a snapshot of the home system on the USB drive.
2. At work, load a comparison of the work folder to the snapshot of home.
3. Select View | Display Filters | Only Mismatches to only list different and orphan files.
4. Select View | Expand All.
5. Select Edit | Select All Files.
6. Select Actions | Copy To Folder to copy the changed work files to your USB drive.
7. Save a snapshot of the work files to the USB drive for comparison when you're at home
8. Copy the changed files from the USB key to your home computer to synchronize the systems.

Compressing the Changed Files

When you copy the changes to the USB drive in step 6 above, if you specify a zip file name such as e:\work_changes.zip instead of a folder, Beyond Compare will create a new zip file with your differences in it.