ChronoSync 4.0 improves sync speed, adds options
updated 03:45 pm EST, Tue January 6, 2009
ChronoSync 4.0 ships
Econ Technologies has released ChronoSync 4.0, an update to its automated synchronization and backup application for Mac OS X as well as releases a new companion product ChronoAgent 1.0 for Mac. ChronoSync can be used to synchronize or backup documents -- at scheduled or triggered times -- either between folders on your Mac, other Macs, PCs, or external drives, etc.; users can setup schedules to automatically mount volumes. ChronoSync 4.0 adds many new features, most notably bootable backups, full Admin access, and faster synchronizations, while the new ChronoAgent that runs on the destination Mac and communicates directly with ChronoSync for full root access to the destination Mac.
ChronoSync and ChronoAgent for Mac run natively on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs (Panther, Tiger or Leopard). ChronoSync costs $40, while ChronoAgent for Mac costs $10. existing ChronoSync users can update for free by obtaining a new ChronoSync 4 license from the company's website.
ChronoSync 4.0 now offers bootable backups, including the ability to create a complete copy of the hard drive that can act as an alternate startup drive. Additionally, version 4.0 offers full access to the entire hard drive so any file can be copied. The new ChronoSync also features a modified "Sync Engine" logic to use less memory and scan files faster, resulting in speedier synchronizations in most cases, the company claimed.
The ChronoAgent companion utility, which runs in the background on a destination Mac and communicates directly with ChronoSync, enables users to bypasses file sharing to deliver full access to the destination Mac eliminating the need to mount via AFP, SMB or other protocols). The company says that ChronoAgent can even match Users and Groups of files between two different Macs giving you full preservation of file ownership and permissions. It can be controlled through the System Preferences.
"ChronoAgent is not needed by everyone. Most users can simply activate file sharing on another Mac, mount, and then sync. But if you are having permission problems with your destination Mac or server then ChronoAgent can solve that. If you need to match Users and Groups between two different Macs then ChronoAgent can solve that. You can even create remote bootable backups," said Joe Japes, Marketing Director of Econ Technologies.
In addition, ChronoSync 4 now offers other enhancements, including Templates that provide the ability to create Synchronizer and Container documents with customized settings. According to the company, the Options panel as been redesigned with new features and a new layout. The Setup panel displays the status to indicate any issues between the two volumes being synchronized. A new Archive feature also now supports file compression.
