ECSync! Newsletter from 01/06/2006

ECSync! Version 2 Preview for Special Customers released!

Dear ECSync! users and interested ones,

2006 arrived and finally a new version of ECSync! is arriving, too! The new version of ECSync! is now available for download. This is not yet the final version 2 but as far as possible it is stable and well tested. Only parts of the help and the assistant are not yet finished.

Because you are known as a frequent user of ECSync! I ask you to try this new version and give me your feedback. If there are functions and/or features you like to be improved this is now the time to tell me. Please use the forum for your suggestions and feedback.

Some questions and answers that might appear:

• What's new with this version?
  The list of new functions and features is long. You find the list at the end of this newsletter.
• How long can I use this version?
  ECSync!'s trial period is limited to 30 days after installation.
• Should I uninstall version 1?
  No, it is not necessary to uninstall version 1 of ECSync!. You can use both versions parallel on your computer to keep your old synchronizations running or if you eventually want to go back to version 1 later. You can uninstall version 1 any time later if you decide to keep version 2.
• Can I use my old profiles with the new version?
  Yes you can. Both versions use the same kind of profile files (of course features of the new version will not be available in the old version).
• When will the final version be available?
  Most probably at the end of January 2006. Please don't try to register before that date.
• What will the final version cost?
  If you have registered ECSync! within 3 months before the final release the new version will be free. For all other users an upgrade will probably be available for about 10 Euro. Independent of the many new features the regular price will stay at 20 Euro.
• Where can I get assistance and ask questions?
  Please ask your questions only in the forum. I do not have the time to answer questions via email or phone. Questions that are not for the public may be asked in the forum, too, by sending me a private message.

This download is available only for special customers and only from this address: http://download.endoftheinternet.org/en/ECSync.msi. Please remember that you get this download address as a valuable customer of EUROCOMP and that this download is not yet available for public use. Please save your old version of ECSync! if you eventually want to go back later!

Please take care that ECSync! can be improved by sending me your wishes and suggestions!

Again: Please send me your suggestions for improvements! I'm happy about your comments.

All my best wishes and successful using of ECSync!!

Thomas A. Osthege

P.S. I'm really a bit proud because of the 17 awards that version 1 of ECSync! has received until now.

Change History

Error corrections

• In some cases folders were erroneously recognized as subfolders of another folder (e.g. D:\Part1 Backup\Test was meant to be a subfolder of D:\Part1 if both folders existed).
• In some cases deleted entries still existed after saving a profile.
• The date/time in the 'Changed' column of the file list is now displayed completely (truncation occurs no more).

New functions and features

Folders list

• You can now delete files in both folder lists.
• Empty folders can now be deleted, too.
• The size of the folder list can be changed.
• You now can create new folders in the folder selection dialog.
• Profiles can now be dragged and dropped onto the folder list.
• Multiple profiles can now be concatenated into a single profile by dragging them onto the folder list and holding the Ctrl key down.
• You now can use folder variables in folder specifications.
• New folders can now be created automatically during a synchronization (e.g. to backup files into folders with different names).

Files list

• A new symbol is displayed for folders and files that will be deleted.
• The symbol in the middle of the files list is now displayed gray if there will be no action corresponding the to folder or file in this line.
• Clicking a folder or file to (un-)check it can now be done anywhere on the line (not just its checkbox any more).
• Double clicking a folder line now opens a Windows Explorer window.
• If two files have the same changing date and time the bigger one is assumed to be newer.
• The context menu that is displayed when clicking on the file list now corresponds to the clicked area (left/right).
• Double clicking the title bar of the files list now selects all entries (even those that don't have to be synchronized). This is very useful for restore and delete operations.
• The slider on the scroll bar of the file list became proportionally sized.
• ECSync! now marks folders and files if their name's capitalization differs.
• Shift clicking a folder line now selects a folder inclusive all subfolders.

Dialogs

• A new 'Default settings' dialog exists.
• A new 'Profile settings' dialog has been added.
• The 'archive' file attribute can now be considered by ECSync!.
• The 'archive' file attribute can be now reset, too.
• There is a new tab in the settings dialog to display log files.
• A zoom feature has been added to permanently change the font size of all windows and dialogs (useful for people with a poor eyesight).
• You can now select a default path where to store your profiles and log files.
• The task scheduler can now be configured comfortably within ECSync! to plan a scheduled synchronization.
• You can select files that always have to be deleted (e.g. .bak files etc.).
• You now can select whether an automated synchronization shall be continued or cancelled if an error occurred.
• You now can select whether automated synchronizations shall be disabled after an error occurred.
• Synchronization can now be continued if a locked file could not be copied.

Menus

• Example profiles can now be accessed directly from the 'Extras' menu.
• Example files can now be restored and deleted directly from the 'Extras' menu.
• Using the context menu you now can select whether an operation shall include or exclude subfolders.

Misc.

• You can now use the mouse wheel to scroll a list.
• Errors that occurred in an automated synchronization will be displayed at the next launch of ECSync! under user control.
• Each file list can now be named to better recognize what is meant to become synchronized.
• Some special keys were added:
  • F5 now starts the search and compare process.
  • Ctrl+O now opens the load profile dialog.
  • Ctrl+S now opens the save profile dialog.
  • Insert now opens the add folder dialog.
  • Delete now deletes the selected folder in the profile.
  • F11 maximizes ECSync!'s window (similar to the kiosk mode of the IE).
• On error messages a checkbox 'Don't display this information again' has been added.
• If an error occurs the whole synchronization can now be cancelled.
• The trash bin can now be used to hold erroneously deleted files.
• Help has been revised.
• There is an assistant to guide you with the most used tasks.
• An online update function has been implemented.