Synchronizing Life - What a mesh!

Published 18 May 2009 22:29

I was recently introduced to a beta service from Microsoft called Live Mesh and I absolutely love it! 

My working life usually consists of a combination of 1-2 days out with customers, 1-2 days at the office and the balance working from home - I find myself switching between my laptop, desktop and customer PCs several times per week and often multiple times each day.

I'm often missing files that aren't where I need them - despite a handful of USB sticks around my desk and several in my bag for transferring files - but NO MORE (well, less at least...)!

The service slogan reads "Synchronising Life" and Live Mesh provides automatic, transparent folder synch'ing between computers - I know there are other services around but Live Mesh is great - it just works!  I've found this to be great for mitigating loss of my laptop while travelling or hard disk damage - since my work-in-progress is automatically protected.

Like the concept? 

Sign-up with a Windows Live account at http://www.mesh.com; add your first device (supports Windows and Mac).  Nominate a folder for synchronisation and it will be uploaded.  Add a new device and the mesh folder will synchronise to the second computer - voila!  Need the data and don't have access to your PC? Just sign-in to Mesh anywhere else and view your folders!

What about security?

Usual common sense applies: don't use this service to store any sensitive information such as bank account details; passwords; mothers' maiden names; VPN details; information that doesn't belong to you or ANY sensitive data.

What's the catch?

There's a 5GB limit per user, that's it - and it's a beta (usual rules apply).  Vista users must have UAC enabled (with Vista SP1 - Mesh works without UAC).

I've found Mesh to be easy to setup, reliable and pretty handy - give it a try!

Happy mesh'ing!

 

 

Justin Langford

Coeo - SQL Server Consultants | SQL Server Remote DBA

by JustinL
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Comments

# jamiet said on 19 May 2009 06:58

Justin,

If you're a Live mesh user you may be interested in SQL Mesh. Its a Mesh folder, open to anyone in the SQL community, into which they are invited to drop useful SQL scripts, sprocs, functions, SQLCLR fnuctions, Powershell scripts and anything else that might be related to SQL.

Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/sqlmesh

And if you like it, spread the word.

cheers

Jamie