Synchronizing Life - What a mesh!

JustinL — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:29:00 GMT

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

> sum(its parts) : vista

Synchronizing Life - What a mesh!