Syncing between computers
I currently use another product to do much of what Papers seems to do. I am interested in switching, but I can't tell if papers will sync between computers (my desktop and my laptop). This is crucial for me in the way I work. When I look for syncing info, all I can see is syncing to mobile devices, but not computers. Does Papers 2 support this feature in some way?
182 Posted by fresco on 24 Jun, 2011 11:28 AM
Okay. Livfe looks very promising so far.
183 Posted by fresco on 24 Jun, 2011 02:56 PM
Matias,
I am home with two of my papers computers running right now. Neither library is in Dropbox. But also, after 10+ minutes, I have not received a warning about multiple instances of Papers. Both computers on the same network and I believe are based on the same library files. Thoughts.
D
Support Staff 184 Posted by matias on 24 Jun, 2011 03:04 PM
@fresco: Absolutely nothing stops you from running Papers on two computers at the same time, unless they share the same library, for instance via Dropbox. The instructions which we've repeated on this thread are to never run Papers on two computers at the same time when these Papers uses the same library, for instance via Dropbox, Sugarsync, etc.
185 Posted by C. Lindsay Anderson on 24 Jun, 2011 03:23 PM
On 6/24/11 11:05 AM, "matias"
<[email blocked]> wrote:
186 Posted by Marcus Heisler on 25 Jun, 2011 01:30 AM
Typed clumsily from my phone..
On 24 Jun 2011, at 17:24, "C. Lindsay Anderson" <[email blocked]> wrote:
> #ignore
187 Posted by john.pickering on 04 Jul, 2011 12:16 AM
Just got an iPad because I want to read articles in Papers on it now that my office and hardcopy files are no longer available because of the Christchurch earthquake! Sync worked well. However, I ticked the Options box to sync automatically on connection. I want to change this now but it never allows me (because it is always syncing). How do I get around this?
Support Staff 188 Posted by matias on 04 Jul, 2011 08:17 AM
Hi John
Automated syncing should only start after about 10 seconds, so you can simply untick "Sync automatically" during that time and the automated sync countdown should stop. You raise a good point though: this is perhaps not the most logical place for it because of the limited time, and the setting should instead be in Sync Preferences. I've made a note of this.
Best wishes
Matias
189 Posted by john.pickering on 04 Jul, 2011 08:56 PM
Thanks Matias
That makes sense. Especially as there is a need to wait until the library
is sent from iPad before changes can be made.
(ps - my first paper using magic manuscript went off for peer review to
the Lancet, alas it was bounced. Nevertheless, it will go somewhere and
it was great to use Papers only and avoid messing about with Endnote.
Thanks).
John
Dr John W Pickering
Senior Research Fellow
Christchurch Kidney Research Group
Department of Medicine
University of Otago Christchurch
e. [email blocked]
p. +64 3 3541424 (temporary)
w. http://www.otago.ac.nz/christchurch/research/ckrg/
Fearfully and wonderfully made
On 4/07/11 8:17 PM, "matias"
<[email blocked]> wrote:
190 Posted by Jesse on 05 Jul, 2011 12:36 AM
I am having some success syncing Papers2 between my Mac mini and my Macbook Air using ChronoSync. Basically the two computers are mirroring each other. The only problem is that Papers asks me to reactivate or verify my activation. I have to upload a file to Livfe.com, and then download a different file. Annoying. Is there a specific file related to the activation that I can exclude from syncing so that I can avoid this annoying activation problem?
191 Posted by j.carreras_puigvert on 06 Jul, 2011 01:36 PM
Hi,
Would it be possible to be able to sync Papers2 between two computers using the same system or procedure used to sync an iPad/iPod/iPhone?
This would be the easiest, fastest and less annoying way of Synchronizing, wouldn't it?
192 Posted by dartagnan32 on 06 Jul, 2011 05:59 PM
Hi,
On the same topic,
I had 2 computers with 2 different libraries. Before putting into dropbox or equivalent, is there a way to merge the 2?
I explain in more details: I did ask papers 2 on my 2nd computer to use the library in the dropbox which is nice but I had a few things present in the other library: some PDFs and for example the Livfe collections (not really essential at this point though).
thanks
Support Staff 193 Posted by charles on 11 Jul, 2011 06:35 AM
@dartagnan32: just to be sure, here is our usual advice on DropBox: NEVER run Papers on two macs at the same time that have their library shared via the same DropBox account. So you should ALWAYS quit Papers and Manuscripts before moving on to another machine (the latter is the status item in the menu bar). And ALWAYS give DropBox enough time to upload all the changes BEFORE shutting down the computer that was running Papers, and before starting Papers on another Mac.
There is no easy way to merge the 2 at the moment, I am sorry. You can import the PDF directly into the other library. Or what could also work is to use the BibTeX or EndNote export/import to also have the metadata, but then be sure to manage the PDF paths properly. Basically, the library should not be renamed after export/import, and instead you should point Papers2 at the new future library, then import the bib or Endnote file.
194 Posted by a.jaffe on 11 Jul, 2011 06:45 AM
In Papers 1, one relatively easy way to transfer specific entries between different libraries was the Papers Archive format. I know that it is on the road map -- I hope it is due soon...
Also, one suggestion related to the archive format -- an option to preserve the original import date when moving an archive from one library/machine to another. This would make it possible to duplicate all the aspects of a library on a new machine.
Andrew
195 Posted by David Munch on 11 Jul, 2011 07:30 AM
For what it is worth - I have absolutely no problems with Papers2 running from Dropbox - As long as I remember to quit on one Mac, before opening on another. And of course let Dropbox do its syncing before shutting down the Mac - But that is usually quite quick.
196 Posted by Bon Verweij on 11 Jul, 2011 09:15 AM
Op 11 jul 2011, om 09:30 heeft David Munch het volgende geschreven:
Support Staff 197 Posted by charles on 13 Jul, 2011 11:55 PM
@David: indeed, this is the right advice!
@Bon Verweij: your message did not make it, could you send the email again? be sure to not write below the line with the '===='
198 Posted by autoxave on 19 Jul, 2011 11:48 PM
Regarding the various issues using Dropbox or IDisk for synching between computers...is using a small and mobile external harddrive a better alternative if carrying around the external harddrive isn´t a issue? What are the downsides?
Support Staff 199 Posted by matias on 20 Jul, 2011 12:32 PM
@autoxave: an external hard drive works too, although it's certainly not as convenient as automated syncing solutions like Dropbox. Use of iDisk is discouraged, as it's rather slow and more unreliable than for instance Dropbox. Apple has also announced that iDisk will be discontinued in June 2012.
200 Posted by andersok on 28 Jul, 2011 02:58 PM
I have been trying to use Papers 2 using dropbox. I followed the instructions listed in this thread--shut down Dropbox, moved my library on both, restarted. Initially, machine 1 (the primary machine) was working just fine, but machine 2 (the new machine) showed only the papers in the "my research" area. I checked the dropbox library, and all of the pdfs are there. I tried several rounds of moving the library, to no avail. I then opened the copy of dropbox I had on machine 1 (the one that was previously working fine) and it also could not find anything except the "my research" area. It also told me that I had X days left on my free trial, despite my having a license for that machine. I migrated my Papers library back to machine 1, and while that fixed the license problem, it did not fix the library problem. I still have access to only those files in the "my research" folder. Again, I have checked, and the actual pdfs are still there. What I thought would be a simple task has now consumed 2 hours of my time. Ideas?
Support Staff 201 Posted by charles on 01 Aug, 2011 04:49 AM
@andersok it will be easier to follow up and assist you on a private discussion. Could you send this email again with the context to feedback at mekentosj dot com? Thanks for your patience...
202 Posted by David Munch on 05 Aug, 2011 09:17 PM
andersok:
1. Copy Papers2 library on computer A to dropbox.
2. Wait for dropbox to finish syncing/uploading.
3. Tell Papers on Computer A to use the library in Dropbox.
4. Wait for library to download on Computer B.
5. Tell Papers on Computer B to use the library on Dropbox.
6. Delete the old libraries on computer A and B (Ie. the ones not in Dropbox).
7,5. Remember not to start Papers on a computer before it is closed on the other one!
203 Posted by Tony Fortner on 09 Aug, 2011 05:42 PM
I am having an issue where the Papers2 folder does not appear in the "selective sync" list in Dropbox.
I can create a new folder and it will appear in the selective sync list, but if said folder is named Papers2 it will not appear.
Anyone having this issue or a solution?
Cheers,
204 Posted by pdv on 17 Aug, 2011 08:53 AM
I try to sync my iPad with 2 computers. according to the messages 127-131 in this thread this should work, but like fresco I also get duplicated items, mainly book chapters and all smart collections. I assume this is due to the fact that the libraries have previously been copied between both computers. How can this be avoided? Should I start with an empty library on one computer and sync with the iPad, which has first been synced with the other computer? I tried that but without success.
205 Posted by pdv on 19 Aug, 2011 04:49 PM
I did some more tests:
I synced Mac1->iPad
synced the papers library and documents from Mac1->USBstick->Mac2 (with Unison)
added some papers on Mac2 and then synced Mac2->iPad
Since except for the added files, all files on the 2 macs are the same I did not expect a problem
but to my surprise almost my complete library was now duplicated on the iPad.
So is it really possible to sync with 2 computers? (without using DropBox or similar) and how should this be done.
Support Staff 206 Posted by matias on 28 Aug, 2011 08:57 AM
Hi there
I'm sorry to hear about this. Smart collection duplication upon syncing an iPad library between two Macs that share the library through some Mac library syncing method is a known issue in Papers 2.0.9. We hope to fix this for the upcoming 2.1. Are you sure the application was not running in the case when you did the Unison syncing? The application should only ever be running on one host at a time and enough time should be left for syncing changes before opening it on a different host. Are you using the bidirectional syncing method?
Best wishes
Matias
matias closed this discussion on 28 Aug, 2011 08:57 AM.
fresco re-opened this discussion on 03 Sep, 2011 04:52 PM
207 Posted by fresco on 03 Sep, 2011 04:52 PM
Mekentosj:
It's been quite a while since there has been any chatter or action on the issue of creating a reliable way to sync libraries across computers. Lot's of good updates with Papers 2, but this one is really needed. Can you please provide an update on this highly sought feature request?
208 Posted by prseye on 04 Sep, 2011 08:16 AM
I'm thinking of trying the Dropbox solution - any potential issues with using Snow Leopard on one machine (older laptop) and Lion on another (running the same version of Papers on both of course)?
Thanks
209 Posted by David Munch on 07 Sep, 2011 07:37 AM
Fresco: The post right above your says Papers 2.1, which has an ETA of 4 months.
210 Posted by Christoph on 08 Sep, 2011 03:16 PM
@ David: Where do you know that from?