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Synchronization problems

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Kieran

26 Jan, 2016 12:06 PM

I'm posting this because I've been a long time user of the app on Mac and did not want to leave a negative review for the app in the App Store.

Synchronization with both Dropbox and iCloud fails every now and then for a user like me who uses this app with multiple devices (3 macs and now an iPhone).

In one of the macs, synchronization does not work at all, despite all my attempts.

In others, I have to delete all the data, relogin to Dropbox, and hope things work fine. This I have to do every 3-4 months, whenever one of the macs cannot synchronize. I'm guessing a synchronization problem (connectivity or conflict) in one of the devices creates a problem in all the devices.

The iPhone synchronization with my existing Dropbox data worked after 4 tries.

I was a programmer in a previous life and I know how hard it is to get synchronization done right. But I have a lot of data in this little app, I appreciate what it does, and I hope it works more or less flawlessly. Right now it is not fully reliable and makes me reinstall things from manual backups, delete all existing data, etc.

I hope the developer improves these hiccups.

P.S. It is also a bit odd that the app gives the option of deleting the cloud data but not the option of replacing the local data, because for a lot of people the cloud data will be the primary copy.

1. Support Staff 1 Posted by Niko on 26 Jan, 2016 01:38 PM

   

   Hi Kieran,

   Thank you for reporting these issues and for not leaving a negative review!! I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

   In others, I have to delete all the data, relogin to Dropbox, and hope things work fine. This I have to do every 3-4 months, whenever one of the macs cannot synchronize. I'm guessing a synchronization problem (connectivity or conflict) in one of the devices creates a problem in all the devices.

   This problem you are describing is most likely due to a bug in the third party framework "Ensembles 2" that I'm using. I have access to the source code and I was able to fix it. If you update all of your Timelime installations on your Macs to version 1.4.4, this issue should be fixed.

   Regarding the current sync problems: Just to be sure, could you please start your Timelime sync from scratch on all your devices and report if the problems persist.

   To do so please try this:
   1. Disconnect all devices from Timelime sync.
   2. Delete all Timelime Data in the cloud.
   3. Reconnect each device one by one to the sync. Wait a couple of minutes between connecting each device to make sure the data gets propagated.

   If you need a more detailed description on how to do this "resync", please let me know.

   P.S. It is also a bit odd that the app gives the option of deleting the cloud data but not the option of replacing the local data, because for a lot of people the cloud data will be the primary copy.

   In the default option cloud data and local data get's merged. Doing this, Timelime detects duplicate data. Also If there is a conflict (when local data has been edited on a device after turning off sync) the user is prompted, and given choices to resolve the conflict(s).
   If you want to completely replace local data when connecting to the cloud, please go to Timelime's backup preferences first and choose "Clear all data".

   Thanks again,
   Niko

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