The Cibertek Blog

Microsoft has three ways to synchronize and share files and they’re all free: Live Mesh, Live Sync, and SkyDrive.  Only SkyDrive and Live Mesh sync files in the “cloud” and allow you to share files with others.   Together though, they represent another one of those hidden Microsoft treasures that no one knows about.  Unless you read about it on some blog or news article, I don’t think you will ever see an advertisement for any of these services.     So what do these services offer and why should you use them?   As with other comparable services, there is usually some specific reason to use them or some specific situation that has either come up or could come up in the future where you will need to find a solution to solve the problem.  Even if you don’t use your computer as much as I do, there is always some problem that will come up in your world that one of these services will solve for you.  Its a good idea then, to know what these services offer.

Live Mesh

Microsoft introduced this new “cloud” synchronization solution back in 2008.  I’ve been a beta since May 2008.  At this point, I’m not sure how I did without it before.  My laptop, home computer, and work computer are all on MESH and I have about 10 different folders all synchronizing across all of them.  So what is LIVE MESH?  Here is the official definition:

Live Mesh is a data synchronization system from Microsoft that allows files, folders and other data to be shared and synchronized across multiple devices.^[1] Once a folder is set for synchronization, it will be available in all devices, and any changes made to the content of the folder will be reflected across all devices.^[2] Live Mesh uses FeedSync to convey the changes made in each device so that the changes can be synchronized.^[3] The information about devices and folders participating in a synchronization relationship is not stored locally but at the service-end.^[4] Devices in a sync relationship are collectively referred to as a Mesh.^[4]

You will need to download and install the Live Mesh client software on your PC or MAC that you want to sync together.  It integrates with Windows Explorer and you can add folders directly to your Live Mesh with a right-click and selecting “Add Folder to Live Mesh”.  The one feature unique to Live Mesh is “remote desktop”.   You can connect and access any device in your MESH and copy files, run applications, and share your screen from any web connection at no additional cost.

Scenario: You’re at your buddy’s house and you tell him about the cool cheat crack you found online for KOTOR. He goes online but cant find the same file and you don’t have it on your thumb drive with you.  The other problem is the file size is more the 5MB so you cant send it by email.
Solution: User your buddy’s computer to login into your LIVE MESH account and go to your synced software folder and copy the file directly to his computer.

Live SkyDrive

SkyDrive is simply online file storage.  There is no automatic file sync, but requires no install and has 25GB of storage space compared to 5GB on Live Mesh.

1. No need to ever email yourself a document, mp3 file, video, or picture again.  Drop the file into your “mesh” enabled folder or upload the file to your SkyDrive folder and after a few minutes, that file is synced into the cloud and available for you and others to access them.  The files can be downloaded, updated, and deleted at any time from any location with internet access.
2. Share your photos, MP3 files, Office documents, PDF’s, and even software installers.  Live Mesh and SkyDrive allows you to keep almost any file stored online and lets you control who can have access to it.

Scenario: You keep all your family passwords on a protected Excel file.  Your wife changes the password for the online login to the Credit Union web site.  But she updates the record in spreadsheet with the change.  A week later you’re at work and need to check the CU account and try to get in with the old password and can’t.
Solution: Open up the synced MESH folder or SkyDrive folder called “Family Records”, open up the password Excel file and find the password your wife changed.  The important think is that  file is always in one place and you can access it from any internet connected computer in the world, no matter the OS.

Live Sync

Basically, this service lets you synchronize folders and files between computers directly.  For instance, you can sync between your laptop and desktop.   You can synchronize up to 20 folders containing up to 20,000 files each. Individual files cannot be larger than 4 GB in size.  So you can setup your “My Documents” or “My Music” folder as synced folders and you won’t have to copy the files manually from one machine to the other.   This service is awesome on Vista and Windows 7, but also works well in XP.

Scenario: While at work, your co-worker starts playing a Michael Jackson mix cd he made the night before.  You would like a copy but neither of you have any blank CD’s.
Solution: Borrow the CD for a few minutes and RIP the songs using ITUNES or WMP on your laptop.  The songs are now in your “My Music” folder on your laptop.  Since the folder is shared using Live Sync, the folder is automatically synced over the internet with the “My Music” folder on your desktop at home.  When you get home that evening, all the songs are already listed in your music playlist.  Then burn your own CD.

Final Thoughts

Using any of these services will greatly enhance your use of your PC and the internet.  How and why you use them is completely up to you.  My only purpose here is to hopefully make life a little easier especially in this hyper-digital age we live in.