Introduction to Syncing

Syncing folders

Project Sync is an app that runs in the background on your Mac or PC. It syncs files, folders and collections by downloading them from your Chorus server every time you change them, and then back to your Chorus site every time you edit them on your desktop.

It only does this on a special folder stored under your home directory for Chorus content, the “Sync” folder.

When you save a file to the Sync folder, there is a short intentional delay of a few seconds to allow things to settle, and then the file is transferred automatically to your Chorus server. If you save over a file, it becomes a new revision of that file in Chorus.

Project Sync watches a single sync folder in your private space in Chorus. If you add a file to the folder or a collection in the Sync folder on Chorus, it downloads it to your PC or Mac. If you edit a file in your Sync folder on Chorus, the file is updated on your Mac or PC.

Files within folders are also synced - and so are all the folder and files within them.

If you add a file to the Sync folder on your PC or Mac, any changes to files or folders are uploaded to the Sync folder in your private space.

Step-by-step:

There are 2 simple steps to syncing folders with Project Sync.

In Chorus:

1. Go to your Private Space to find your Sync Folder (it is created when you use Project Sync for the first time)
2. Add files or folders (or collections) to the Sync Folder

Using shortcuts and tools:

You can go directly to the Sync folder in Chorus at any point. Simply click on the "Sync" link in the favorites bar, on the left hand side of Chorus.

As an alternative to drag-and-drop, if you want to add a folder to your Sync folder in Chorus, you can use the "Sync..." option in the toolbar on the right, when you have selected a folder.

That’s it. Your folders will now synchronize.

On your Mac or PC:

1. Go to your Chorus Folder
2. Add files or folders to the Sync folder

That’s it. Your folders will now synchronize.

Multiple PCs or Macs

You can install Project Sync on as many Macs or PCs as you have.

Collaborating using Project Sync

The powerful collaboration features of Project Sync are built from two simple concepts:

1. Sharing folders with team members
2. Adding shared folders to the Sync Folder

Putting a shared folder into your Sync Folder means that you will have instant access to your team's files. Every time they make a change it instantly syncs to your PC or Mac. Every time you make a change your team will get the new copy within seconds.

There are 3 steps to collaborating with Project Sync:

1. Share a folder

2. Add your team to the share

3. Get everyone  to add the shared folder to their Sync Folder

Common Scenarios

Files and folders that only you can see and edit

Having your work right where you need it — and when you need it — is one of the most powerful features of Project Sync.

Anything you put into your Sync folder in your Private Space or a Chorus folder on your PC will sync onto any other machine you install Project Sync onto.

Anything you save on one computer will be ready for use on your other computer the next time you use it.

If you work on the move, from a home office, or a laptop on the sofa, your most important files will always be at hand.

Step-by-step

Using Chorus:

The simplest way to sync your work is with folder created in your Sync Folder.

1. In Chorus, open your Sync Folder in your Private Space
2. Create a folder
3. Place any files you need into the folder
4. The folder will now sync to your Mac or PC

Using your desktop computer:

1. Open your Chorus Folder
2. Create a folder in it
3. Place files from your hard drive into it or save a file you are working on directly into this folder
4. The folder will now sync up with Chorus

Using a share with yourself:

If you want to sync a folder that is already neatly filed somewhere other than your Sync Folder (and you'd rather not move it) it is possible for you to have it in two places at once by sharing the folder with yourself!

1. Select the folder
2. Choose ‘Share’ and then ‘Folder Share…’
3. Add yourself to the share, and if required choose which permissions you would like (or tick all permissions)
4. A shared folder will appear at the root of your Private Space
5. Move the folder into your Sync folder using drag and drop
6. The folder will now sync with your Mac or PC

Using Project Sync with files and folders that were shared with you in Chorus

Shared folders can also be placed in your Sync folder in Chorus. Once a folder is shared with you you only have to place it into your Sync Folder for it to sync with your PC or Mac.

Now, if you need a file, you can ask for it to be shared with you rather than emailed or dropped into Slack. This way the owner of the file retains control of where the file is and can see at a glance who else has access to the file.

Step-by-step:

1. Request a folder to be shared with you
2. The folder will appear in the root of your Private Folder
3. Move the folder in to your Sync Folder using drag and drop
4. The folder will now sync with your Mac or PC

Remember that the permissions for the share could mean you can't edit or write changes. This depends on the person making the share with you giving you permissions (edit, delete and so on) when they create the share.

Making a shared folder that multiple users can edit

Shared folders are the most useful collaboration feature of Project Sync.

By sharing a folder, not only your private files but also the project work you are collaborating on with your team can be synced, making it available on everyone's desktop computer. Every time you hit save your changes will sync with everyone else's folder.

Step-by-step:

Usually you would do this using a folder in a shared space, but it is also possible to have many people sharing a personal folder too.

1. Choose (or create a new) folder in a space for the team to work in
2. Select the folder and choose ’Share’ then ‘Folder Share…’
3. Add the people in the team, giving them the permissions you’d like them to have
4. A shared folder will appear at the root of each of their Private Spaces
5. Ask them to move the folder into their Sync Folder (you cannot do this for them)
6. The folder will now Sync with their Mac or PC
7. Every time they save an edit it will be synced with everyone else and onto their Mac or PCs.

Making a shared folder that is read-only for some users

Because synced folders are backed by Chorus’ sophisticated permissions model, you can share a folder with read-only permission. This will make sure that those users can’t edit existing files or delete, or save over those files in Chorus by accident.

Step-by-step:

This differs from before only by choosing stricter permissions when adding people to the shared folder.

1. Choose (or create a new) folder in a space for the team to work in
2. Select the folder and choose ’Share’ then ‘Folder Share…’
3. Add the people in the team, giving only ‘View’ permission to the people you don’t want editing and saving files.
4. A shared folder will appear at the root of each of their Private Spaces
5. Ask the other users to move the folder into their Sync Folder
6. The folder will now Sync with their Mac or PC
7. Every time they try to edit a file they will be prevented from saving it back in the sync folder.